Gemstone Auctions

The Treasures Auctions Network websites have sold 700,000 items online since forming in 2004. The success has been largely due to our Verified Sellers Program and the high standard of stock that our sellers bring to the network.

Our customers know and trust that we will approve only the best sellers to give them the best products and a great buying experience. We take great pride in hand picking and constantly checking the standard of products that are being offered by our sellers.

To be eligible to become a Verified Seller on The Treasures Auctions Network you must -

Have a passion and knowledge of the Gemstone / Opal / Jewelry Trade Industry
Be able to offer our customers competitive prices.
Provide business and personal references to prove your an established business
Offer high business standards in every transaction.
If you are a seller on other platforms, you just provide the username which you use to sell with so we can asses your business practices.
It is a bonus if you are a member of a trade or jewelry organization, but it is not required.

Our sellers are managed by our Sheriff Program across our network. Each website site has its own Sheriff, Opal Sheriff, Gemstone Sheriff, and Fashion Sheriff Etc. It is the Sheriffs that will guide our potential sellers through the Verified Seller application process and provide ongoing support to our sellers.

Verified Sellers Program

The Verified Seller application process includes:

Sellers wishing to join a website within The Treasures Auctions Network have to first register as a buyer using their intended Store Name. (i.e. MarksGems). This cannot be changed
Sellers need to email the complete application form attached at the bottom of this page to applications@treasuresauctions.com
IP address checked
Trade References checked
Photo Identification checked
Phone numbers checked including face to face verification Skype phone call if applicable
Sellers will be notified if they have been approved or disapproved at the discretion of the Sheriff and management. No further communication will be entered into, this decision is final
At the discretion of the Sheriff and management, approved new sellers may be required to pay a bond of $200 (via PayPal only) which is payable before you can sell. This bond will be held by Treasures Auctions, interest free for a period of 12 months.

Probation Period

Once a seller is accepted into the Verified Sellers Program they will be in a probation period which will run for a minimum of 3 months
During the probation period verified sellers will be on the Starter Plan which will allow them to list 50 items at a time
During the probation period the Sheriff will conduct an audit on each listing which will be visible to buyers for the life of the listing

The probation period will cease at the end of 3 months of active selling with the following conditions met:

Feedback above 95%
20 or more positive Feedback
Minimal listing errors and discrepancies
Minimal issues between seller and their buyers
Evidence that a high level of professionalism has been upheld at all times.

At the end of the standard 3 month probation period we will reflect and communicate with you on your overall professional performance. At our discretion we may:

End your probation period and allow you to apply for the next selling plan which will allow more items to be listed
Extend your probation period if we feel you are not ready to move to the next selling plan
Cancel your selling account if we feel you are not up to the required standard of the Verified Sellers Program.

How does the Verified Seller Program work?

The Verified Seller Program is managed by the Sheriff Program across each of our websites. This program is operated by a qualified Gemologist and panel of advisers from within the Gemstone, Opal and Jewelry industries. The position of Sheriff is a voluntary position and is not paid or reimbursed in any way by The Treasures Auctions Network.

The Sheriff has two main goals:

To support and guide sellers
To answer questions and guide potential buyers via the Audit system.

If you have any queries or questions regarding listing stock or gemological questions never hesitate to contact the Sheriff, they are always there to help.

Verified Seller Program Rules

To uphold the high standards of our Verified Seller Program we operate a “3 Strikes and you’re out” policy. Failure to meet any of the rules below or abide by the Terms and conditions may result in the Verified Seller getting a strike against their seller account. These strikes are at the discretion of the Sheriff and Management. They are non-negotiable.

Once a seller has accumulated 3 strikes the Verified Seller will be permanently suspended and their store/s closed immediately
A strike automatically downgrades the Verified Seller for 30 days which means they cannot list any new items during that period
Any breach of unprofessional business practice will result in a strike
Verified Sellers may be suspended permanently at the discretion of management at any time without notice
Any communication with Management, Administration or a Sheriff must be responded to and actioned within 12 hours. Failure to do so may result in a strike
At the Sheriff’s discretion if an issue is found with a listing they will suspend the listing and notified the seller about the issues to discuss further. If the issue is minor the Sheriff will write recommended changes within the Audit and the seller is expected to amend the listing and click the ‘Re-request Audit’ Button so that the Sheriff can re Audit the listing. If action to amend the listing is not undertaken by the seller the listing will be suspended within 12 hours
If a Verified Seller’s feedback drops to or below 95% the Sheriff will issue a strike and your store/s will be downgraded to The Starter Plan (20 Items only) until your feedback raises to 96% or above
The Sheriff may request any item from any Verified Seller to be posted into head office for independent certification at any time. Refusal or delay to comply with this request will result in immediate and permanent suspension. Shipping to the Sheriff will be at the Verified Sellers expense and the Sheriff will return the item in the same method at no further expense to the seller.

Examples of a Strike:

Verified Seller fails to communicate with a buyer, administration, management or Sheriff in a timely manner
Verified Seller fails to post items to a buyer or refund monies in a timely manner
Continuous mistakes in listing items
Verified Seller fails to uphold the expected high level of professional conduct
Verified Seller fails to honour the sale of an item regardless of whatever price an auction sells for
Misrepresentation of a stone, examples -
Misrepresenting and selling a glass filled Ruby as unheated Ruby
Selling smoked Ethiopian Opal as Natural Black Opal
Selling gold plated Jewelry as Solid Gold Jewelry
Misrepresenting and selling a Doublet or Triplet Opal as a Solid Opal
Selling a Doublet Gemstone on gemrockauctions.com

Examples of immediate permanent suspension:

If a Verified Seller is found defaming The Treasures Auctions Network as per Code of Conduct
If a Verified Seller lists a synthetic stone on any site other than www.gemstonesauctions.com
If a Verified Seller is found selling to customers outside of the site where our protections cannot be applied
If a Verified Seller is being rude or abusive
If a Verified Seller is found bidding up or on their own listings.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Pay your fees by 15th of each month within 7 days
Verified Sellers are not permitted to bid on family, their own or any related companies listings on any of The Treasures Auctions Network websites
Verified Sellers must list accurate descriptions and use correct categories and abide by the rules as per The Treasures Auctions Network - Listing Guide for Verified Sellers
Verified Sellers are not permitted to have links to other external web sites or email addresses from any site within The Treasures Auctions Network. This includes listings.
Verified Sellers have an obligation to sell at whatever price the auction items sell for
Refund Policy – all wins have a 7 day period for return if the buyer is not 100% satisfied with their purchase. The refund amount to the buyer must equal the original transaction (stones/s + shipping + insurance where applicable) but does not have to include the cost of the item being posted/returned to the seller. Sellers are not permitted to charge a restocking fee for returned items.
Verified Sellers can contact their buyers regarding a specific purchase and are NOT permitted to contact buyers who have not purchased from them. Sellers are NOT permitted to messages to any buyer regarding self promotion, ‘spammy’ messages and harassment.
Verified Sellers found ‘handing over’ or selling their store to another individual will be terminated immediately and legal action may be taken
If a bond is returned to the seller without permission from The Treasures Auctions Network your sellers account will be closed immediately without notification
If your seller account is suspended for any reason, any amounts owed will become due and payable immediately
Verified Sellers must not defame or criticise or slander The Treasures Auctions Network including stock, sellers or customers in any external circumstances. This includes but is not limited to social media, Facebook, Twitter, forums or print media
Verified Sellers on Opal Auctions or Gem Rock Auctions are eligible to apply for a Sellers account on Jewelry Auctioned or Coins Auctioned with no monthly plan fee
Verified Sellers may not entice customers to purchase items outside of the Treasures Auctions Network.
The Treasures Auctions networks reserves the right to remove, suspend and ban any store or individual without notice.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Verified Sellers must professionally supply orders to the 100% satisfaction of customers and must uphold The Treasures Auctions Network integrity in the industry
Verified Sellers are to adhere to the highest level of professional conduct at all times.

FEES FROM 1ST JANUARY 2018

Commissions charged on sold items as follows -

verified seller program

Seller plans and rates

PREMIUM AND SHOWCASE LISTING FEES

SELLER PLAN PROGRESSION

Sellers will spend a minimum of 3 months on the Starter Plan during their Probation Period
Sellers then must spend a minimum of 1 month on each Plan as they progress consecutively up to Gem Harlequin Plan.
The seller must list close to the maximum allowed listings for a plan before requesting an upgarde
All plan changes must be requested by the Seller via the Selling Preferences tab in Account Settings. The request may be approved or denied at the discretion of management.

If you wish to apply to become a Verified Seller on any of The Treasures Auctions Network websites please download the application Form below and email it back to applications@treasuresauctions.com

Verified Seller Application Form (Ver 2.1)