My gold chain falsely failed the authenticity guar...

neededthingies · ‎07-03-2026

I recently sold a 20" gold belcher chain and sent it off to be authenticated. It failed thecheck with them saying 'The item is not hallmarked, or the hallmark is illegible'. I just told ebay customer services that it IS hallmarked and they dont care, instead batting me off with some pedantic definition of a 'hallmark'. No hallmark heh? Its as clear as crystal.

Don't sell jewellery on ebay, it will definitively fail the check because ALL hallmarks look like this

Hallmark

neededthingies · ‎07-03-2026

I absolutely wont be selling anything else that requires the authenticity check

jckl1957 · ‎07-03-2026

The image you added to your post does not show a UK hallmark. As a minimum, it should have the maker's mark (initials), the metal purity, and the Assay Office mark.

All jewellery listed on Ebay should follow the jewellery policy. This becomes very important when jewellery has to be authenticated.

This is the key part - the link to the 'Guidance Notes' will show you what a full hallmark looks like.

Items must meet the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973 - opens in new window or tab. For more information on hallmarking, please see t...Hallmarking Guidance Notes from the Assay Offices of Great Britain - opens in new window or tab
To ensure that you meet any obligations under the Hallmarking Act 1973, where applicable, you should add this notice on hallmarks - opens in new window or tab as an image to your listing

"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”
Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher (1813 - 1855)

neededthingies · ‎07-03-2026

Fair enough, it does not have a full UK hallmark as if I had bought it in Harrods. But it as 'A' hallmark, as opposed to "not hallmarked, or the hallmark is illegible".

It has a generic EU hallmark, as you will find 90% of high street used jewellery has. Are we saying that most jewellery therefore cannot pass the authenticity check, as most budget High Street jewellery is hallmarked as mine is?

If so, I would say the bar is set way too high. Surely the test that it is genuine gold should be enough? Lets face it, that is what most buyers care about. My own buyer said as much.

jckl1957 · ‎07-03-2026

I don't think your chain would count as budget jewellery.

Anyway, at least you are now aware of the rules regarding selling jewellery on Ebay,

I have to say my experience of buying jewellery is different to yours.

Most of my jewellery, either bought from High Street jewellers or secondhand, does have a complete UK hallmark.

Even gold earrings usually have a full hallmark on the post,

i would be reluctant to buy anything that didn't have a full hallmark. I like to know who made my jewellery, where it was assyed and how old it is.

"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”
Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher (1813 - 1855)

My gold chain falsely failed the authenticity guarantee check