Pandora -Troll style bracelets

[iArtist]

Hello

You may recall a while ago I said I might dabble in making some Pandora / Troll style bracelets.

Well, the good news is I have some lovely bracelets.

My dilemma is now this.

The bracelets and the glass bead inserts etc. are marked 925 and were sold to me as 'silver'. However as they were sourced originally by my supplier from China, I am reluctant to sell them as 925 silver just incase they aren't 925 silver, as sometimes (so I have been told) the standards re silver aren't quite as tight in China as in the UK. The bracelets have not given me a nasty skin reaction (I have a metal allergy) which is a very good sign.

I am wondering what to say with regards to the 'silver' aspect. I know others would just sell them as 'real silver' but I'd rather sell them as 'sold to me as silver' or something like that?

Help, advice please!!!

 

[sysops]

The bracelets and the glass bead inserts etc. are marked 925 and were sold to me as 'silver'. However as they were sourced originally by my supplier from China, I am reluctant to sell them as 925 silver just incase they aren't 925 silver, as sometimes (so I have been told) the standards re silver aren't quite as tight in China as in the UK. The bracelets have not given me a nasty skin reaction (I have a metal allergy) which is a very good sign.

Do you have documentation from your supplier, e.g. an invoice, stating that they are 925? If so, then you can with good conscience sell them as 925 silver, unless you have reason to believe otherwise.

 

[iArtist]

I could copy their site details? They are advertised as 'sterling 925 silver etc.

 

[sysops]

I could copy their site details? They are advertised as 'sterling 925 silver etc.

Hmm, in theory yes, but personally I'd be happier with an invoice. Drop them an email and ask for a VAT invoice?

 

[Beachcomber]

Try your local jewellers and ask for a valuation certificate. This is involve testing (usually using acids in a 'touchstone' test) and will confirm the quality of silver you have.

Failing this you can see if it is possible / cost effective to submit a sample of items to your nearest assay office for testing.

Silver items under a certain weight don;t need to be hallmarked which is why you often see the mark '925' which relates to the silver being 92.5% pure = sterling silver.

The only other silver standard you sometimes see in the UK is 950 which is britannia silver.

To be honest, if they are a reputable supplier there shouldn't be any need to question their quality and you might not want to harm a good working relationship by asking for evidence they are not mis-selling or falsely advertising their goods.

 

[iArtist]

Try your local jewellers and ask for a valuation certificate. This is involve testing (usually using acids in a 'touchstone' test) and will confirm the quality of silver you have.

Failing this you can see if it is possible / cost effective to submit a sample of items to your nearest assay office for testing.

Silver items under a certain weight don;t need to be hallmarked which is why you often see the mark '925' which relates to the silver being 92.5% pure = sterling silver.

The only other silver standard you sometimes see in the UK is 950 which is britannia silver.

To be honest, if they are a reputable supplier there shouldn't be any need to question their quality and you might not want to harm a good working relationship by asking for evidence they are not mis-selling or falsely advertising their goods.

I know I shouldn't be judgemental but the supplier was on ebay and their supplier in china and they themselves (despite selling as silver) couldn't confirm 100% that is what I was getting.

I am not sure the testing would be cost effective as I only plan to charge about £20 for these bracelets. They are certainly heavy enough to be silver.

I think I will go for the invoice and see where we go from there. I just don't want to do what this seller is doing and sell as silver when I personally am not 100% positive that's what they are.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[sysops]

I think I will go for the invoice and see where we go from there. I just don't want to do what this seller is doing and sell as silver when I personally am not 100% positive that's what they are.

If you can get it in writing, then sell as silver 925. If you can't, then just go ahead and sell anyway, just don't call it anything specific - at your intended price point it's unlikely anyone will care too much.

 

[iArtist]

If you can get it in writing, then sell as silver 925. If you can't, then just go ahead and sell anyway, just don't call it anything specific - at your intended price point it's unlikely anyone will care too much.

Good point!!

They look the biz too.

 

[sysops]

I look forward to seeing some photos.

 

[iArtist]

I would take some if there was any battery in my camera. I personally was very pleased with the items forwarded in terms of quality and what not. I just like to be 'sure' re these things.

I wore one out and about recently and a friend of mine who spends £90 per bead for her Troll bracelet nearly tore my arm off trying to get a look!

£90 a bead I tell you! For glass and silver.

 

[sysops]

Wow, that's some mighty expensive beads.

I don't know if you're familiar with Etsy.com, there are a lot of very talented people selling handmade stuff on there, but mainly US.

 

[iArtist]

Wow, that's some mighty expensive beads.

I don't know if you're familiar with Etsy.com, there are a lot of very talented people selling handmade stuff on there, but mainly US.

Lovely! I like this gree glass dome. This is more me

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41145968&ref=fp_feat_6

I like things that are more natural and a little wacky! I don't think I could sell my items as hand made as I am duplicating an existing type of bracelet but cheaper.

Presently there are three brands for these bracelets:

Troll
Pandora
Lovelinks

all getting a little cheaper

Meanwhile I just checked a troll bead site and their glass beads are £23 each, Pandora £25, no idea where my pal got £90 from!!

But I can tell you my beads are almost identical to these!
http://www3.pandora-jewelry.com/uk/Jewelry/Charms/Bead/Glass+Silver
https://www.argentjewellery.co.uk/trollbeads/line/glass

 

[Beachcomber]

.......I think I will go for the invoice and see where we go from there.....

To be honest, if a supplier is happy to sell items as silver when they are not I'm pretty sure they will give you an invoice stating pretty much whatever you want it to say to get you to buy.

Independant verifiation is the only way to satisfy and genuine concerns, but if you trust the supply chain you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Joanne_UK]

Legally, All articles with a component to be described as silver in which the total weight of all metal is over 7.78 grams will need to be hallmarked by the Assay Office.

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/hallmarking_mixedmetals.html

 

[Beachcomber]

Legally, All articles with a component to be described as silver in which the total weight of all metal is over 7.78 grams will need to be hallmarked by the Assay Office.

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/hallmarking_mixedmetals.html

Very unlikely individual beads will top that weight.

 

[Searcher]

With the greastest respect, you're being naive if you blindly trust any supplier without putting in place a quality control system of some sort. If you can't get a written spec and guarantee from the supplier (difficult if you're buying from that most trusted place called ebay) then ensure you have your own checks in place eg get a local jeweller to assess them.