Trust & Verification

Jewellery is personal. You should be able to understand what you are buying, who you are buying it from and where to turn if something does not seem right.

This page brings those questions together, helping you look beyond a reassuring label to the information and evidence behind it. Use it alongside the individual product description and the seller's shop policies before placing an order.

Confidence starts with clear information

• Know the seller: Read the shop profile, understand who is offering the piece and ask questions before you buy.

• Understand the materials: Look for a clear description of the metal, gemstones, finishes and any plating.

• Look for relevant evidence: Ask about hallmarking, certificates or test reports where they are relevant to the particular piece.

• Know where to turn: Keep your order details and correspondence so that any concern can be explained clearly.

Who are you buying from?

Odissa is a marketplace created by The Guild of Jewellery Designers, bringing together independent designer-makers alongside branded products offered by retailer members. Each seller manages their own shop, fulfils orders and sets their shop policies within Odissa's site-wide terms. (About Odissa, marketplace terms)

Start with the seller's profile and product description, then contact the shop directly if you would like to know more about a piece. For a commission, ask who will design and make it, where the work will take place and which elements of the specification will be agreed in writing.

Verification is not the same as certification

It is useful to distinguish information about a business from evidence about a particular product. When you see a verification, membership or testing claim, ask what was checked, who checked it and whether it applies to the piece you are considering.

For questions about the checks behind a particular Odissa shop or a claim on a listing, contact Odissa. Include the shop name and product link so that your enquiry is specific.

Materials should be described accurately

Odissa's terms require sellers to describe their goods accurately and completely, and prohibit false or misleading content. (Odissa listing requirements)

Before buying, look for the details that matter to you. If a description leaves something unclear, ask the seller to explain it rather than making an assumption from the photograph or product name.

• Metal and finish: Ask whether the piece is solid precious metal, plated or made from another material, and what any fineness number means.

• Gemstones and pearls: Ask about the description, any treatments, and whether a stone is natural, laboratory-grown or an imitation where that distinction matters to your purchase.

• Construction and origin: Ask who designed and made the piece, and whether bought-in components or branded products are involved.

• Supporting documents: If a certificate or report is mentioned, ask what it covers and whether it will be supplied with your order.

Hallmarking: independent evidence of purity

A legally recognised hallmark is required for precious-metal articles sold as gold, silver, platinum or palladium when the relevant weight threshold is reached, unless an exemption applies. The usual thresholds are 1g for gold, 7.78g for silver, 0.5g for platinum and 1g for palladium. (Birmingham Assay Office hallmarking guidance)

A modern UK hallmark has three compulsory components: a sponsor's mark, a metal and fineness mark, and an Assay Office mark. A standalone “925” stamp is therefore not the same thing as a complete UK hallmark. (UK Government hallmarking guidance)

Some lightweight pieces are exempt from compulsory hallmarking, and recognised Convention hallmarks can also be accepted in the UK. The absence of a UK hallmark is not, by itself, enough to decide whether an item is being sold lawfully. (UK Government hallmarking guidance)

If you are unsure, ask the seller for a close-up photograph and an explanation of the mark or exemption. Our Hallmarking Explained guide takes you through the components and common questions in more detail.

Product safety is a separate question

Hallmarking verifies precious-metal purity; it should not be treated as a substitute for product-safety evidence. Birmingham Assay Office provides separate testing for nickel release, lead, cadmium and other restricted substances, alongside its hallmarking services. (UK Government hallmarking guidance, Birmingham Assay Office product-safety testing)

Ask what has been checked, not simply whether a piece is described as “verified”. For any testing claim, ask which material or product was tested and what the result actually supports.

 

 

If you have a known sensitivity, tell the seller before ordering and ask about all parts that will touch your skin, including posts, clasps and coatings. If a piece causes irritation or gives you reason to suspect a safety problem, stop wearing it while you seek appropriate advice.

If something is not right

Odissa's published returns policy directs buyers to the seller first and provides an escalation route when the seller cannot help. It also identifies items that have not arrived or are not as described as reasons a buyer may be able to open a case. (Odissa returns and refunds policy)

1. Contact the seller: Explain the concern using the contact details on the shop profile. Include your order number and say whether the issue relates to delivery, materials, the description or another aspect of the purchase.

2. Keep the relevant evidence: Save your order confirmation, the product description, photographs of the piece and any marks, and your correspondence. Avoid altering or testing the item yourself while a concern is being discussed.

3. Ask Odissa for help: If you contacted the seller more than 48 hours ago without a response, log in to your account profile and choose “GET HELP” to raise a ticket, as described in the published policy. (Odissa help route)

4. Use the contact route if needed: If the seller cannot resolve the issue, or you checked out as a guest, contact Odissa with the order number from your confirmation email. (Odissa escalation guidance)

Before sending anything back, agree the return address, delivery method and other arrangements with the seller. Read the returns and refunds policy alongside the shop's own policy for the applicable process.

Common questions

Does a professional membership mean every piece has been tested?

Treat membership information and product-specific evidence as separate questions. Ask the seller what any membership claim means, and request the relevant certificate or report if a particular item is described as tested.

Does every silver item need a hallmark?

No. Articles below the silver exemption weight of 7.78g can be exempt from compulsory hallmarking, although the material description still needs to be accurate. (UK Government hallmarking guidance, Odissa listing requirements)

Is a hallmark a guarantee that jewellery will suit sensitive skin?

No. A hallmark verifies precious-metal purity, while assessment of nickel release and other product-safety issues involves separate testing. (UK Government hallmarking guidance, Birmingham Assay Office testing services)

Can I ask questions before ordering a bespoke piece?

Yes: use the seller's contact details on their profile to discuss the piece before you order. (About buying from Odissa sellers) Ask for a written specification covering materials, sizing, price, timing and the arrangements for changes or cancellation.

Take the next step with confidence

If you would like clarification about a shop, a listing or a concern with an order, contact Odissa. Include the product link or order number so your enquiry has the information needed from the outset.

For more detail before you buy, read How to Buy Silver Jewellery Safely and Hallmarking Explained. Keep the seller's answers with your order information so that you have a clear record of what was agreed.