Jewellery policy

A fine gemstone is defined as:

• Alexandrite, almandite-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, moissanite. moldovite, 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, sapphire, smoky quartz, spessartite garnet, sphene, white sapphire, yellow topaz.

A costume gemstone is defined as:

• Agate, amazonite, amblygonite, apatite, aventurine, azurite, bloodstone, blue amber, blue chalcedony, brazanite, butterscotch amber, calcite, caribbean amber, carnelian, celestite, chalcedony, charoite, cherry amber, cinnabar, 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, magnasite, marcasite, medusa quartz, multi-color amber, mystic topaz, obsidian, onyx, orange chalcedony, ouro verde quartz, petalite, pezzottaite, pink chalcedony, prehnite, quartzite, quartzofe, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rutilated quartz, sardonyx, scapolite, sea blue chalcedony, serpentine, shanseres, simulated alexandrite, simulated amethyst, simulated aquamarine, simulated blue sapphire, simulated emerald, simulated garnet, simulated opal, simulated padparadscha, simulated peridot, simulated pink sapphire, simulated quartz, simulated ruby, simulated sapphire, simulated topaz, simulated white sapphire, simulated yellow sapphire, sodalite, sphalerite, stabilized turquoise, strontium titanate, sunstone feldspar, swedish slag, synthetic turquoise, tashmarine diopside, white topaz, yellow scapolite, yttrium aluminium garnet, zandrite.

Gemstone creation and treatment

When listing a gemstone, you must include information about what type of gemstone you are listing, as well as the gemstone creation method, in the 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, it has been dyed to enhance the colour), 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.
  • 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 gemstones. 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 Costume 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 Costume 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 Costume 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 Costume Jewellery category unless mounted on a fine metal setting or accompanied by a fine gemstone.

Niihau shell jewellery

You can list these items only in the Loose Beads category. In addition, the state of Hawaii regulates the sale and advertisement of jewellery made from the rare shells that come from the Hawaiian island of Niihau. If you'd like to sell an item made from these shells, be sure to follow these guidelines:

• You can use the word 'Niihau' or any variation of it, such as 'Ni'ihau' or 'Niihaun', as long as you can certify in your listing that the item was made in Hawaii with 100 per cent genuine Niihau shells.
• To describe that a piece has Niihau shells, it has to consist of at least 80% Niihau shells and be made in Hawaii. In your listing, you need to specify the exact percentage of Niihau shells that actually came from the island of Niihau, its waters, or its beaches.