eBay Tightens Up Diamond Listings
eBay has recently tightened up on its diamond listings.
Now the word “diamond” must be used only to indicate a natural mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon, crystallized in the isometric system with A hardness of 10, a specific gravity of approximately 3.5 and a refractive index of 2.42
According to eBay, sellers of diamond prospects on eBay must now, “… When listing a laboratory-grown stone that has the same mineral composition as a naturally mined diamond, the word “diamond”, whenever it appears (in the item title and description), may only be used if the word is immediately preceded or followed by any one of the following eight terms, spelled out in its entirety and in equal visibility:
“created”
“lab-created”
“man-made”
“synthetic”
“manufactured”
“laboratory-grown”
“laboratory-created”
“[manufacturer-name]-created.”
From now on only naturally mined diamonds may be listed in the :”natural” category. Others must be listed in the category in which they fit.
For example, laboratory-grown stones that have the same mineral composition as a naturally mined diamond should only be listed in the â??Synthetic (Lab-grown)â? sub-category.
And for a Cubic Zirconium stone, the word “diamond” in the item title or description may only be used if the word is immediately preceded or followed by the words “simulated” or “imitation”, spelled out in full. Sellers must also include (in the item description in equal visibility to any other terms) the words “Cubic Zirconia” or “CZ.” These items may only be listed under the Cubic Zirconia or Other categories, not in the Diamond categories.
eBay states, “To list any imitation diamond stone that does not fall into one of the descriptions above, sellers may use the word “diamond” in the item title or description only if the word is immediately preceded or followed by the words “simulated” or “imitation”, spelled out in full. Sellers must also include in the item description in equal visibility to any other wording the composition of the item. Examples include “plastic,” “glass,” “Moissanite,” “rhinestone,” “Strontium Titanate,” “quartz,” and so on. These items may only be listed in categories especially designated for them (like Moissanite) or in Other categories, not in the Diamond categories.”
Also with other gemstones, “The names of other stones or gems, such as “opal”, “ruby”, “pearl”, etc. must be qualified if the mineral composition of the item differs from the natural mineral. Additionally, when listing such items, sellers may use the stone name or “pearl” in the item title or description only if the stone name or “pearl” is immediately preceded or followed by the words “simulated” or “imitation”, spelled out in full. Sellers must also include in the item description in equal visibility to any other wording the composition of the item, for example, “plastic,” “glass,” “quartz,” etc. These items may only be listed in categories especially designated for them (like Pearl, Imitation) or in Other categories, not in the Opal, Ruby, Pearl, etc. categories.”
â??We understand that there are all sorts of ways the world diamond can be used. The purpose of the policy is to limit inappropriate use of the term diamond,â? said the company.
eBay claims that the policy change follows complaints by buyers who claim that while looking for diamonds on eBay, they have to look through many non-diamond listings, often making then leave the site in frustration. The company hopes that by implementing such clarification regulations, customers wonâ??t leave the site before making diamond and jewelry purchases.