Use Caution Buying Jewelry On Bonanza.com

We feel a bit bad about not posting this sooner, especially since the Christmas shopping season is over but we hope it will still help those who buy or intend to buy jewelry on Bonanza.com.

As we wrote in a September 2010 post - http://thereevesreport.blogspot.com/2010/09/everything-that-glitters-gold-is-it.html - there are issues on Bonanza with sellers misrepresenting their jewelry products as being gold when they are gold plate or other lesser valued jewelry.

We reported to Bonanza management about a seller. They must have gotten ahold of the seller and said something because the listing titles were changed a bit but for the worse. Seems the titles were shortened up to look even more like the items are really karated gold.

So, we reported the situation and demanded something be done, pointed out the issues and etc.

We got this note back from support:

Mark, Sep 23 10:49 (PDT):

We have addressed this. Additionally, this seller has 100% feedback and has always shown a willingness to do the right thing. So while we can understand your concerns, we would encourage you to let Bonanza handle the situation as we have always done.

Thanks,
Mark
The Bonanza Team
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The buyer that contacted me about the seller in question also got a less than helpful response from support that was shared with us. It states (we took the buyers name out):

Hello,
I did check out her listings, her past practices, and sales. I also did some research on the gold-layering process, and she appears to be following the letter of the law when describing her jewelry. I know that you didn't get what you thought you were buying, but I don't believe that the seller was intentionally deceptive about the items. However, I'm glad to hear that everything worked out for you with the refund.

Tom
The Bonanza Team
---

Okay, so we have allowed Bonanza to handle the situation but guess what? They haven't done a thing about the situation. The seller is still listing gold plated (so-called layered gold according to the seller) as if it is karated gold and on top of that, making comments about other sellers not being honest when they say their karated gold is solid karated gold.

Bonanza management is allowing sellers to list improperly and against the FTC rules, guidelines and laws that all jewelry sellers must follow. They know it, we have sent them the FTC information. There is no excuse for this to be happening except for the fact that Bonanza makes money each time there is a sale. I am sure that they are counting on buyers of this cheap jewelry will not notice in time to get their money back thus, Bonanza gets their cut even if the buyer got ripped off.

Before buying jewelry on Bonanza:
Know the product you intend to buy.
If you don't know the product well, research it with Google search.
Ask tons of questions.
Try to buy from sellers you know.
Make your purchase with a credit card so you have solid recourse if you get taken.

Here are some screenshots of the deception - click them to enlarge them so they are easier to read.

The insult to other gold jewelry sellers.

Untrue titles stating the items are karated gold.





Clearly deceptive listings!





This seller requires buyers of items that are not as described to return the item back to them on the buyers dime. I suppose to divert returns but a buyer should never have to pay postage to return an item that was sold deceptively.

Now remember, these are just examples of some of the deceptive listings by this seller. They have many more listings than are reported here.

Allowing this seller to list like this is unbelievable. Not only is it deceptive to buyers but it is unfair to sellers of true karated gold. After all, their prices can never be as low as those offered by this seller so this seller will likely get the sale before an ethical seller who lists their products properly.
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The other night, 12-30-10, we were snooping around Bonanza and saw someone Tweet (a paid tweeting service on the site) for a seller who had an 18K gold ring for sale. For whatever reason, we clicked on the link to open the listing only to find it was not 18K but it was 18K gold plated! So, this paid Tweeting service is spreading the deceptive listing all over Twitter BUT they don't even realize they are doing anything wrong.

To make matters worse, this same item turned up on a handpicked list that was on Bonanza's home page. We took a screenshot with the mouseover pop up showing how the ring was listed as 18K. Click the below screenshot to enlarge it.

The seller of this item must know very little about jewelry as an 18K gold ring would not be listed as "fashion jewelry" by a reputable jeweler.
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The sad part is, most sellers know that many buyers see a title, a picture they like and then make a purchase. Many do not completely read the listing so this kind of marketing is very effective.

Until this changes, please use caution purchasing jewelry on Bonanza.

With all of that said, you can find all of what the FTC says about jewelry and the proper way to mark and market it here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.shtm

The FTC also offers the following info about buying gold jewelry here:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro02.shtm

No Zing In Bling

Posted: Sep 30, 2010 08:40 AM by Eugene Bukoveczky



Fewer Now Saying It with Diamonds

Judging by the recent sales data emerging from the jewelry industry, it now appears that the persistence of tough times for a sizable swath of middle America is continuing to force many to forgo those small relatively inexpensive items of "bling" that would normally be a natural purchase for anyone in a relationship. And that trend appears to be taking its toll on a once thriving industry.

Sales Slump Still Hurting Zales

Among the major casualties of this spending slowdown on jewelry is Zales (NYSE:ZLC), a jewelry retailer who's business targeting the "middle" jewelry market continues to suffer due to a combination of shrinking overall demand and intensifying competition over what remains. While the company managed to pare back its losses from horrendous to slightly better than expected in its latest quarter, the company's same store sales, a key measure of retail health, continue to head lower.

New CEO Pulls Company Back from Brink

Coming up with a new strategy to turn sales around will no doubt be uppermost on the mind of newly installed Zales' CEO, Theo Killion. His move into the top executive's seat comes after a several months of holding the reins on an interim basis during which time he navigated the company through a funding crisis and kept alive a critical relationship with Citigroup (NYSE:C), who arranges the issuance of the retailer's branded credit card. Roughly 40% of Zale's U.S. sales are made using those cards.

Sales Slowdown Industry Wide

But while Killion's recent efforts may have pulled the company back from the brink, turning it into a profitable operation won't be easy. The slump in "mid-market" jewelry sales looks to be broad and deep. Rivals such as Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG) and Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF), whose overall sales numbers have been buoyed by recovery in sales to high-end customers, have nevertheless reported soft sales of lower priced items.

To read the rest of the article, click the below link:
http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/No-Zing-In-Bling...

"Faux" Is NOT A Legal Qualifier For Pearls

The FTC has strict guidelines regarding precious metals and gemstones. They are located here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.shtm .

It is often that you will find sellers on various venues improperly listing their jewelry items. We have pointed out the FTC guidelines, rules, regulations and etc. to several of these marketplaces in hopes of educating the sellers. It seems no matter what, the FTC information we provide these sites is ignored.

Yesterday, we received a newsletter from one marketplace that bothered us. We have brought this subject up in their forums only to be blasted by irrate sellers and blown off by staff. Even after the entire FTC info was sent, the sellers on this site continue to list their jewelry incorrectly.

This is the section of the newsletter that bothered us:

Not only does it show that the improper terminology is still being used by the sellers on the site, it also proves that the sites' own newsletter is not using legal qualifiers to describe jewelry items in the above links it provided. It is as though the site is laughing at the FTC.

In case you are unsure of which words in the above graphic are incorrect, they are - "Faux pearls". The other terms, such as "Reproduction antiques," appear odd to us also but we know little about those topics so we are addressing the topic we are sure of.

When we clicked on the link provided in the newsletter, we found over 1400 listings for the term "faux pearl" BUT they did not have the proper qualifier in the title. When opening the listings, most did not mention that the pearls were not real but they continued to use the term "faux pearl" throughout.

According to the FTC:

§ 23.18 Definitions of various pearls.

As used in these guides, the terms set forth below have the following meanings:

(a) Pearl: A calcareous concretion consisting essentially of alternating concentric layers of carbonate of lime and organic material formed within the body of certain mollusks, the result of an abnormal secretory process caused by an irritation of the mantle of the mollusk following the intrusion of some foreign body inside the shell of the mollusk, or due to some abnormal physiological condition in the mollusk, neither of which has in any way been caused or induced by humans.

(b) Cultured Pearl: The composite product created when a nucleus (usually a sphere of calcareous mollusk shell) planted by humans inside the shell or in the mantle of a mollusk is coated with nacre by the mollusk.

(c) Imitation Pearl: A manufactured product composed of any material or materials that simulate in appearance a pearl or cultured pearl.

(d) Seed Pearl: A small pearl, as defined in (a), that measures approximately two millimeters or less.

§ 23.19 Misuse of the word "pearl."

(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified word "pearl" or any other word or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any object or product that is not in fact a pearl, as defined in § 23.18(a).

(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "pearl" to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured pearl unless it is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "cultured" or "cultivated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is not a pearl.

(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "pearl" to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl unless it is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is not a pearl.

(d) It is unfair or deceptive to use the terms "faux pearl," "fashion pearl," "Mother of Pearl," or any other such term to describe or qualify an imitation pearl product unless it is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is not a pearl.

§ 23.20 Misuse of terms such as "cultured pearl," "seed pearl," "Oriental pearl," "natura," "kultured," "real," "gem," "synthetic," and regional designations.

(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "cultured pearl," "cultivated pearl," or any other word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.

(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "seed pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or an imitation pearl, without using the appropriate qualifying term "cultured" (e.g., "cultured seed pearl") or "simulated," "artificial," or "imitation" (e.g., "imitation seed pearl").

(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Oriental pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any industry product other than a pearl taken from a salt water mollusk and of the distinctive appearance and type of pearls obtained from mollusks inhabiting the Persian Gulf and recognized in the jewelry trade as Oriental pearls.

(d) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "Oriental" to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl.

(e) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "natura," "natural," "nature’s," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or imitation pearl. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "organic" to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl, unless the term is qualified in such a way as to make clear that the product is not a natural or cultured pearl.

f) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "kultured," "semi-cultured pearl," "cultured-like," "part-cultured," "pre-mature cultured pearl," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl.

(g) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a pearl that is taken from a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a cultured pearl formed in a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia.

(h) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Biwa cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to cultured pearls grown in fresh water mollusks in the lakes and rivers of Japan.

(i) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "real," "genuine," "precious," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.

(j) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "gem" to describe, identify, or refer to a pearl or cultured pearl that does not possess the beauty, symmetry, rarity, and value necessary for qualification as a gem.

Note to paragraph (j): Use of the word "gem" with respect to cultured pearls should be avoided since few cultured pearls possess the necessary qualifications to properly be termed "gems." Imitation pearls should not be described as "gems."

(k) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "synthetic" or similar terms to describe cultured or imitation pearls.

(l) It is unfair or deceptive to use the terms "Japanese Pearls," "Chinese Pearls," "Mallorca Pearls," or any regional designation to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl, unless the term is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "cultured," "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is a cultured or imitation pearl.

§ 23.21 Misrepresentation as to cultured pearls.

It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the manner in which cultured pearls are produced, the size of the nucleus artificially inserted in the mollusk and included in cultured pearls, the length of time that such products remained in the mollusk, the thickness of the nacre coating, the value and quality of cultured pearls as compared with the value and quality of pearls and imitation pearls, or any other material matter relating to the formation, structure, properties, characteristics, and qualities of cultured pearls.

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We wish that the owners of all sites would take this issue more seriously and make their sellers list properly. It is all about consumer protection and if a site intends to hold any credibility, they should follow all of the laws, rules, regulations and guidelines as they pertain to them and the products represented on their sites. They shouldn't simply pick and choose which one's they are going to follow.

Black Hills Gold Jewelry By Coleman

About Black Hills Gold Jewerly By Coleman

Black Hills Gold Jewelry by Coleman was founded in 1977 and is located on the south edge of Rapid City on your way through the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota USA. They are known as the world's largest producer and supplier of Black Hills Gold Jewelry. This notable distinction is attributed to their large assortment of attractive designs and guaranteed satisfaction.

Manufacturing:

While many customers might believe that the name "Black Hills Gold Jewelry" denotes a certain type of mined gold, it actually refers to the design of the jewelry. Based on the legend, Black Hills Gold features grape leaves, grape clusters and grapevines in a tri-color motif of green, rose and yellow gold. The distinctive green and rose gold colors are created by adding silver and copper alloys to yellow gold. By Federal mandate, this style of jewelry must be manufactured in the Black Hills of South Dakota in order to carry the name "Black Hills Gold Jewelry."


Every new design begins with detailed sketches, and the handcrafting of a master wax model by skilled artisans. Next, a silver model and production models are created. A sturdy rubber mold is then made which allows for the reproduction of a design many times over. Each rubber mold is pressure injected with hot molten wax. Cooled wax designs are fused to a tree which is placed in a stainless steel can. Liquid plaster of Paris is poured into the cans, surrounding the wax trees. After the plaster is set, the cans are stacked in a kiln for an overnight burnout cycle where the plaster hardens and the wax is completely melted. Hence, this type of burnout is termed, "the lost wax process."


Next, the cavities in the plaster, left by the melted wax, are carefully filled with a mixture of melted gold and alloy. When the gold cools and hardens, the plaster is knocked away and the cast gold designs are cut from each tree. These jewelry designs are then tumbled for an initial polishing. Component leaves are wriggled in a special technique to create a frosty finish and engraved with cuts to add a shimmering look. Leaves, grapes and other findings or jewelry elements are then soldered to the cast design in a soldering oven. Once all of the gold components are soldered in place, the jewelry is tumbled again for additional polishing.


Coleman takes pride in the fact that their jewelry is not flashed with a gold plating. Rather, they commit great time to the polishing and buffing stages in order to enhance the natural karat gold sheen that is more appealing to customers. After the polishing and buffing stages, each piece of jewelry is meticulously cleaned and subsequently coated with a special solution to preserve its beauty. Finally, precious and semiprecious stones are set as the original design determines.


Absolutely no jewelry is released until it has been inspected by artisans specifically trained in identifying even the most minute imperfection that would prevent it from meeting our tight quality standards.

Black Hills Gold Jewelry by Coleman proudly provides a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Jewelry Specifications

Jewelry is 10K gold or sterling silver with 12K leaves, 12K roses and 10K grapes unless otherwise denoted. Coleman Black Hills Gold Jewelry is nickel free.

Lockets are 1/20 14K gold-filled or sterling silver with 12K leaves, 12K roses and 10K grapes.

Bangles are 7" in diameter and are 1/20 14K gold-filled or sterling silver with 12K leaves, 12K roses and 10K grapes.

Bracelets and clasps are 10K or sterling silver with 12K leaves, 12K roses and 10K grapes unless otherwise denoted. Bracelet links can be removed or added for an additional fee. Please inquire.

A complimentary, 18", 1/20 14K gold-filled chain or sterling silver chain is included with each pendant unless otherwise denoted.

A complimentary 20", 1/20 14K gold-filled chain or sterling silver chain is included with each locket.

Necklaces with attached chains are approximately 18" in total length.

Money clips and some watches are black powder coated or plated base metal with 12K leaves and 10K grapes.

Jewelry Casting - General Information

Black Hills Gold is created on a much larger scale but this will give you an idea about lost wax casting.



Part One

Part Two

Part Three