Ebay UK expands Authenticity Guarantee to pearl jewellery
Ebay UK has expanded its Authenticity Guarantee service to pearl jewellery in collaboration with GIA, the Gemological Institute of America.
The news comes as the marketplace saw a 30% increase in gemstone sales in the first six months of 2024.
New and pre-loved pearl pieces sold for £500 and over are now eligible to be independently verified in collaboration with GIA, the world’s gem authority since 1931.
The expansion encompasses a range of pearl jewellery, from recognised brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Tiffany and Co, and Chopard, as well as unbranded pieces.
According to Ebay UK, pearls have re-emerged as a must-have gemstone in people’s collections, with the marketplace witnessing a significant rise in related searches.
Over the past six months, searches for pearl bracelets and pearl earrings have grown by 50% and 20%, respectively. Additionally, searches for pearl drop earrings and freshwater pearls have seen a triple-digit increase in searches, reflecting the latest jewellery trends.
Launched in 2021, eBay UK’s Authenticity Guarantee service has grown to include luxury goods, including watches, handbags, sneakers and most recently fine jewellery.
Mari Corella, general manager of Luxury and Sneakers at eBay, said: “We’ve seen over 10m items go through our Authenticity Guarantee (AG) service globally, and we know our customers trust and value the confidence that this service brings. With last year’s successful expansion into jewellery, opening AG to include pearls was a clear next step.
“Now, both branded and unbranded pearl jewellery, including necklaces and earrings, are eligible for our blue tick. With pearl styles like drop earrings and freshwater pearls gaining popularity, our service ensures that fine jewellery purchased over £500—whether new or pre-owned—is vetted and verified by experts at the GIA.”
Pritesh Patel, GIA chief operating officer, added: “Expanding our work with eBay to include pearls advances our important mission to protect consumers and the millions of jewellery buyers and sellers on eBay.”