5 min article

Jewellery policy

Jewellery purchases can often be of high value so it’s important that items are described properly and listed in the correct category.

This policy was updated on 02 April 2024 to include items from Russia that are subject to international sanctions.

Our policy for listing in categories and subcategories are defined based on the specific composition of the item, so it's important to understand exactly what the item is made of before listing.

What is the policy?

Fine jewellery

If any part of the item is fine, including the gemstone(s) or the setting, the item should be listed in the Fine jewellery category.

Fine metals

Gold of 9 karats or higher (yellow, rose, white), silver of 925 parts per 1000 pure silver or above, platinum group metals of 850 parts per 1000 pure platinum or above, black rhodium plated silver, bonded gold and silver (if gold plated sterling silver), brass plated gold (greater than 10k gold), chocolate gold, gold plated silver, green gold, palladium, platinum, platinum flashed silver, platinum plated (if platinum plated sterling silver), platinum plated silver, rhodium flashed silver, rhodium plated gold, rhodium plated gold and silver, rhodium plated silver, rhodium plated white gold, rhodium plated yellow gold, rose gold flashed silver, sterling silver, tri-color gold, vermeil, white gold plated silver, yellow gold flashed silver, yellow gold plated silver.

Fine gemstones

Alexandrite, almandine-garnet, amber, amethyst, ametrine, ammolite, andalusite, aquamarine, beryl, black diamond, black opal, blue diamond, blue opal, blue sapphire, blue topaz, blue zircon, boulder opal, brown diamond, cats eye, champagne diamond, chrome diopside, chrysoberyl, chrysoprase, citrine, corundum, demantoid garnet, diamond, emerald, fire opal, garnet, golden topaz, green garnet, green quartz, green sapphire, green tourmaline, grossular garnet, heliodor, hessonite, hiddenite, honey amber, imperial topaz, indicolite, indicolite tourmaline, iolite, jade, jadeite, jet, kunzite, kyanite, labradorite, lapis lazuli, lemon quartz, London blue topaz, madeira citrine, malachite, mandarin garnet, mint tourmaline, moldavite, moonstone, morganite, opal, padparadscha, paraiba, Paraiba tourmaline, peridot, pink diamond, pink quartz, pink sapphire, pink topaz, pink tourmaline, prasiolite quartz, purple jade, purple spinel, pyrope garnet, quartz, red diamond, rhodolite garnet, rose quartz, rubelite, rubellite tourmaline, ruby, smoky quartz, spessartite garnet, sphene, white sapphire, yellow topaz.

Fashion jewellery

If no part of the item is considered fine, the item should be listed in the Fashion jewellery category.

Fashion materials

Fashion jewellery includes jewellery made with an underlying base metal in this list and plated with a precious metal: alloy base, brass, brass plated gold (less than 10k gold), bronze, cobalt, copper, enamel, epoxy, glass, gold-filled, gold-foiled, gold plated base, gold plated copper, horn, iron pyrite, leather, nickel, pewter, plastic, resin, rhinestone, rhodium plated base metal, rhodium plated brass, rhodium plated bronze, rose gold plated base, rubber, shell, silver plated base, silver plated bronze, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, wood, yellow gold plated bronze.

Fashion gemstones

Agate, amazonite, amblygonite, apatite, aventurine, azurite, bloodstone, blue amber, blue chalcedony, brazanite, butterscotch amber, calcite, caribbean amber, carnelian, celestite, chalcedony, charoite, cherry amber, cinnabar, created alexandrite, created amethyst, created aquamarine, created blue sapphire, created emerald, created garnet, created opal, created padparadscha, created peridot, created pink sapphire, created quartz, created ruby, created sapphire, created topaz, created white sapphire, created yellow sapphire, cubic zirconia, danburite, diaspore, diopside, drusy quartz, dumortierite, dyed howlite, fluorite, fuschite, gaspeite, goldstone, goshenite, green amber, green chalcedony, green gold, hauyne, hematite, hermatine, hickoryite, howlite, iron pyrite, jasper, larimar, lavender chalcedony, magnesite, marcasite, medusa quartz, moissanite, multi-color amber, mystic topaz, obsidian, onyx, orange chalcedony, ouro verde quartz, petalite, pezzottaite, pink chalcedony, prehnite, quartzite, quartzose, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rutilated quartz, sardonyx, scapolite, sea blue chalcedony, serpentine, shanseres, sodalite, sphalerite, stabilized turquoise, strontium titanate, sunstone feldspar, swedish slag, synthetic turquoise, tashmarine diopside, white topaz, yellow scapolite, yttrium aluminium garnet, zandrite.

Metals

  1. Plated or filled metals must be clearly described in all parts of the listing, including title, item specifics and description.
  2. Platinum, gold, and silver items must meet applicable laws for stamping:
    • Gold stamps: 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 24k
    • Silver stamps: Sterling Silver, .925, .999
    • Platinum stamps: Plat, Pt, 950Plat, 900Pt

Gemstones and loose beads

1. Gemstones must clearly describe the creation method or treatment in all parts of the listing, including title, item specifics and description.

Natural

Choose this option only if you have an unenhanced, untreated, natural gemstone.

Treated

If you are listing a natural gemstone that has been treated (for example: dyed to enhance the color), you are required to specify the treatment in the item specifics and description. You must also clearly specify the following in the item description:

    • The treatment is not permanent and loses its effect over time;
    • The treatment creates special care requirements for the gemstone to retain the benefits; and
    • The treatment has a significant effect on the gemstone's value
Lab-created

Select this option only if you are listing a lab-created gemstone that has the same mineral composition as a natural gemstone. Do not list a lab-created gemstone in the Fine Jewellery category unless it is accompanied by a fine metal setting or other fine gemstone. You are required to identify the gemstone as "lab-created" in the title, item specifics and description immediately preceding the name of the lab-created gemstone. All lab-created gemstones not mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone should be listed in the Fashion Jewellery category.

Simulated

Select this option if you are listing a simulated gemstone that has the same appearance but not the same mineral composition as a natural gemstone. A simulated gemstone should only be listed in the Fashion Jewellery category unless it is mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone, in which case it should be listed in the Other or Simulated categories. If the mineral composition of the gemstone is different from the natural gemstone, you are required to identify the gemstone as "simulated" in the title, items specifics and description immediately preceding the name of the simulated gemstone. For example, "simulated ruby." All simulated gemstones not mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone should be listed in the Fashion Jewellery category.

Unknown

If you do not know if the gemstone has been enhanced or treated, or if it is lab-created or simulated, you should consider having the gemstone certified. All unknown gemstones should be listed in the Fashion Jewellery category unless mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone.

 

2. Loose Beads can only be listed in the Loose Beads category.

Diamonds

1. Diamonds must clearly describe the creation method or treatment in all parts of the listing, including title, item specifics and description.

Natural, not enhanced

Choose this option only if you have an unenhanced, natural diamond.

Enhanced

If you are listing a natural diamond that has been enhanced (for example, "clarity-enhanced" to reduce flaws, dyed, etc.), you are required to include "enhanced" in the title and to specify the enhancement in the item specifics and description.

Lab-created

Select this option only if you are listing a lab-created diamond that has the same mineral composition as a natural diamond. Do not list a lab-created diamond in the Fine Jewellery category unless it is accompanied by a fine metal setting or other fine gemstone. You are required to identify the diamond as "lab-created" in the title, item specifics and description immediately preceding the name of the lab-created diamond. All lab-created diamonds not mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone should be listed in the Fashion Jewellery category.

Simulated

Select this option if you are listing a simulated diamond that has the same appearance but not the same mineral composition as a natural diamond. A simulated diamond should only be listed in the fashion jewellery category unless it is mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone, in which case it should be listed in the Other or Simulated categories. If the mineral composition of the diamond is different from the natural diamond, you are required to identify the diamond as "simulated" in the title, item specifics and description immediately preceding the name of the simulated diamond. All simulated diamonds not mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a Fine Gemstone should be listed in the Fashion Jewellery category.

Unknown

If you do not know if the diamond has been enhanced, or if it is lab-created or simulated, you should consider having the diamond certified. All unknown diamonds should be listed in the fashion jewellery category unless mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone.

2. A diamond is a mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon, crystallized in the isometric system with a hardness of 10, specific gravity of approximately 3.52 and refractive index of 2.42.

    • If the gemstone does not meet the above definition for a diamond, you cannot list your item in the Diamond or Fine Jewellery category. If the mineral composition of the gemstone is different from the natural gemstone, you must clearly identify the item as such in all areas of your listing and product. For example, use words like "simulated" immediately preceding the use of diamond. You must also clearly describe the actual material the gemstone is made of in the item specifics and description, such as cubic zirconia, glass, rhinestone, etc.

3. eBay prohibits the sale of diamonds, other gemstones and metals that are sourced from countries with civil conflict or that do not comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). When listing jewellery on eBay you agree that any item you are listing is not associated with civil conflict, terrorism or other criminal activity and complies with KPCS.

4. All rough diamonds must be listed in the Loose Diamonds category with Stone Form of Rough and must comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). All listings and products for rough diamonds on eBay must state that the seller complies with the Kimberley Process and that the diamond is accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate.

5. Diamonds mined, lab-created, refined or processed in Russia may not be listed. This includes diamonds mined outside of Russia that were later cut or polished within Russia, as well as jewellery or collectables containing these diamonds. Please visit the Embargoed goods policy for more information.

Certification

Certification of jewellery items must be performed by reputable companies. We may not allow certain certification companies to be used on eBay.

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn't, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

Tip
Visit Seller Help - opens in new window or tab to find details of any policy issues with your account or listings, and get the information you need to quickly resolve them.

Why does eBay have this policy?

The sale of jewellery is heavily regulated. Our policy helps ensure both buyers and sellers understand their responsibilities and are protected in these transactions.

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