Authenticity & Condition

Every piece we list is inspected, researched, and described in good faith. This page explains exactly what that means and what recourse you have if a piece is not as described.

1. Sourcing

Our inventory is drawn from four channels:

• Whole and partial estate acquisitions from families and estate attorneys.
• Direct private consignments from long-time collectors.
• Curated auction and estate-sale purchases within the United States.
• Trade-ins from established collectors we have worked with over time.

We do not knowingly purchase or resell counterfeit, replica, stolen, or misattributed goods, and we refuse consignments where provenance cannot be reasonably established.

2. Authentication process

Depending on category, each incoming piece is evaluated using some or all of the following:

• Hallmarks and maker's marks: examined under 10x loupe against reference catalogs for the maker and era.
• Metal testing: precious-metal pieces are verified by acid test, electronic tester, or XRF where warranted.
• Gemstone inspection: stones are inspected for cut, inclusions, backing, and setting characteristics consistent with the claimed material.
• Construction and materials: weight, joinery, findings, closures, patina, and wear patterns are compared to period-correct examples.
• Serial numbers and provenance documents: checked against manufacturer records or original paperwork when available.
• eBay Authenticity Guarantee: eligible high-value listings are further authenticated by eBay's independent verification partners before shipping to you.

3. Designer and branded pieces

Branded jewelry (Tiffany & Co., Barbara Bixby, David Yurman, and similar), luxury handbags, and signed collectibles are described as authentic only when supporting hallmarks, serial numbers, packaging, or paperwork are present and consistent with the maker's known production. When any element is missing or ambiguous we either:

• List the piece as unsigned, attributed to, or in the style of, or
• Decline to list it.

4. Condition grading

Because our items are vintage or pre-owned, expect signs of age. We use consistent language across listings:

• Excellent: minimal signs of use; may show only faint handling wear under close inspection.
• Very good: light wear consistent with age; no significant damage.
• Good: visible age-appropriate wear such as light scratches, patina, or small marks; fully intact and functional.
• Fair: noticeable wear, repairs, or missing minor components; described in detail with photos.
• As-is / for parts: significant damage or incomplete; sold without return eligibility for the disclosed flaws.

5. Photography and disclosure

Every listing includes multiple high-resolution photos taken in natural or color-corrected light. We photograph and disclose:

• Any chip, crack, dent, missing stone, tarnish, or repair.
• Measurements, weights, and (where relevant) ring sizes or chain lengths.
• Hallmark close-ups on precious-metal or designer pieces.

Colors may render slightly differently on your monitor than in person; where color is important (gemstones, textiles, ceramics) we photograph the item under multiple light sources.

6. Appraisals and valuations

Descriptions and listing prices are for informational and sales purposes only. They are not formal appraisals and should not be relied on for insurance, tax, or resale valuation. For those purposes we recommend engaging a qualified independent appraiser (GIA-graduated gemologist, ASA member, or equivalent).

7. Our authenticity guarantee

If any item is later demonstrated to be materially not as described — including a good-faith authenticity concern supported by a qualified independent expert — you may return it for a full refund of the purchase price and outbound shipping. Contact us within 30 days of delivery, or as soon as reasonably possible for post-30-day claims involving authenticity.

8. Repairs, restoration, and cleaning

We disclose any known professional repair or restoration in the listing. We do not overclean or polish pieces where doing so would reduce collector value; light gentle cleaning consistent with the era of the piece may be performed and disclosed.

9. Questions before you buy

If you want additional photos, hallmark close-ups, weight, measurements, or more context on provenance, please contact us before purchase. We would rather spend time answering questions than process an avoidable return.

10. Category-specific criteria

Different categories require different verification steps. In addition to the general process above, we apply:

• Fine jewelry: hallmark identification, karat/purity test, gemstone type and treatment assessment, prong and setting integrity check, chain and clasp function test.
• Watches: case-back and movement inspection where accessible, serial and reference cross-reference, running condition on a timegrapher when equipment allows, disclosure of service history (or lack thereof).
• Sterling and silverplate: mark identification (lion passant, 925, coin, plate marks), weight measurement for solid silver pieces, disclosure of monograms, dents, or repairs.
• Porcelain, china, and glass: backstamp identification, black-light inspection for hairline cracks and repairs, chip/nick/fleabite disclosure, factory date-mark decoding where available.
• Vintage and American Girl dolls: body-marking identification, hair condition, limb-joint integrity, outfit/accessory completeness, and release-year verification against reference guides.
• Paper, postcards, and ephemera: foxing, tears, tape residue, and trimming disclosed; historical items are described conservatively without inventing provenance.

11. Gemstone and treatment disclosure

Where a piece contains natural gemstones, we disclose known or suspected treatments (heat, oil, fracture-fill, irradiation, diffusion) based on visual and reference evidence. Because we are not a gemological laboratory, we do not issue GIA/AGS/IGI reports; a listing that says "believed to be natural" reflects a good-faith assessment, not a lab finding. Lab-grown, synthetic, simulant, and imitation stones are identified as such whenever we can determine them.

12. Precious metal marks and unmarked items

Unmarked precious-metal pieces are only listed as gold, silver, or platinum when independently tested and confirmed. Pieces that test as gold- or silver-tone base metal are described as such — never as solid precious metal.

13. Provenance and history claims

When we share the story behind a piece (family estate, region of purchase, prior owner details), we describe only what we can reasonably substantiate. Claims tied to a famous person, event, or maker are made only when supported by documentation, and that documentation is disclosed in the listing.

14. Post-sale support and dispute resolution

If you have questions after delivery — about a hallmark, a maker, or something the listing did not cover — message us and we will help identify or research the piece at no cost. If we cannot resolve an authenticity concern directly, you may open a case under the eBay Money Back Guarantee, and we will cooperate fully with eBay's review.

15. Cultural property and prohibited items

We do not knowingly list ivory, protected wildlife products, unprovenanced archaeological artifacts, unlicensed cultural heritage items, or items whose sale is restricted under U.S. federal or state law. If we learn a listed item may fall into these categories, we remove the listing and refund any pending sale.

16. Feedback loop

If you believe an item was misdescribed or misattributed, please tell us — even after the return window has closed. Feedback improves how we describe similar pieces in the future and is always welcome.