Legal

This page holds our Store Disclaimer, the laws and rules behind the facts in our Jewelry Guide and Buyer’s Guide, and every source we used.

Store Disclaimer

Rediscovered Wardrobe resells vintage, antique, and pre-owned jewelry and pocket watches. We are not trained gemologists, certified appraisers, or watchmakers. Please read this disclaimer before you buy.

How we describe items. Our descriptions are our good-faith opinion. We base them on looking closely at each piece, reading its marks, and our own research, including our Jewelry Guide. Unless a listing says a piece was tested by a gem lab or an appraiser, we have not tested its metal, stones, or age.

Eras and styles. Eras, dates, and style names are our best estimates. Many pieces were made in revival styles long after the original era.

Stones. We name stones by how they look. Without lab testing, we cannot confirm whether a stone is natural, lab-grown, treated, or a look-alike.

Metals and marks. We describe metal by its stamps and how it looks. Stamps on older pieces can be worn, missing, added later, or wrong. A piece may also be plated even when the base metal is not visible.

Makers. We name a maker only when the piece is marked or documented. We do not promise that a piece was made by a certain designer or company.

Size, weight, and color. Measurements and weights are close estimates. Colors in photos can look different on your screen.

Condition. Vintage and antique pieces have been worn before. Expect signs of age, such as light scratches, tarnish, or worn plating. We note the flaws we see, but we may miss some.

Skin sensitivity. Some pieces may contain nickel, brass, copper, or other base metals. We cannot promise that any piece is safe for people with metal allergies.

Prices are not appraisals. Our prices are what we ask for each piece. They are not appraisals or statements of value for insurance, resale, or estate use. For valuable pieces, we suggest an independent appraisal.

Our guides are for learning. Our Jewelry Guide, Buyer’s Guide, and Legal page share general information. They are not professional, legal, or appraisal advice. Links to outside websites are for reference, and we do not control those sites.

If an item does not match its description. Contact us and return it within seven (7) calendar days for a full refund, under our Shipping & Returns policy. This is your remedy if an item is not as described.

SOLD AS IS. EXCEPT FOR THE DESCRIPTION IN EACH LISTING AND THE RETURN RIGHTS ABOVE, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD “AS IS” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS.” TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THE LAW ALLOWS, WE DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Limit on what we owe. To the fullest extent the law allows, the most we will owe for any claim about an item is the price you paid for it. We are not responsible for indirect or later losses. Some states do not allow these limits, so they may not apply to you.

Changes. We may update this disclaimer. The version posted when you place your order applies to that order.

Questions? Please contact us before you buy. We are happy to share more photos or details.

Last updated: November 10, 2026

Legal Notes

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Jewelry Guides

The FTC Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 23) tell sellers in the United States how to describe jewelry.

Gold karat. Gold that is not 24K should be sold with its karat, such as “14 karat gold.”
Gold filled. A layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. The gold must be at least 1/20 of the total metal weight.
Rolled gold plate. A thinner bonded layer of at least 10K gold.
Gold electroplate. Gold of at least 10K, at least 0.175 microns thick. Heavy gold electroplate is at least 2.5 microns thick.
Vermeil. Sterling silver coated with gold of at least 10K, at least 2.5 microns thick. Gold over a base metal core is not true vermeil unless the seller says so.
Sterling and coin silver. Sterling must be at least 925 parts per thousand silver. Coin silver must be at least 900 parts per thousand silver and cannot be marked sterling. Silver under 925 should show its number.
Plated silver. Plated pieces should not be stamped sterling or coin.
Platinum. A piece marked just “Platinum” should be at least 95% platinum. Pieces with 85% or 90% platinum show the number before the mark, such as 900Pt.
Carat weight. A weight given in points should also be given in decimal carats, such as “25 points or .25 carat.” Weights given as fractions, such as 1/2 carat, are not exact, and sellers should say so and give the range.
Treatments. Sellers should disclose stone treatments that are not permanent, need special care, or change the value.
Lab-grown and look-alike stones. Sellers should clearly label lab-grown stones with words like “lab-grown” or “laboratory-created,” and look-alikes with words like “imitation” or “simulated.”

Stamping Gold and Silver: 15 U.S. Code § 297

United States law does not allow “sterling” or “coin” on silver plated or other plated pieces. A maker or dealer who stamps a gold or silver quality mark must also stamp a registered trademark or their name. That mark must be at least as large as the quality mark and as close to it as possible. Older and foreign pieces can follow different rules. Read the law at the Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School).

United Kingdom (UK) Hallmarking

UK law requires most items sold as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium to be hallmarked. Very light items can be exempt. A UK hallmark has three required marks: the sponsor’s mark, the fineness mark, and the assay office mark. The date letter was required until 1999 and is now optional. Learn more from GOV.UK: Hallmarking Is the Law and The Goldsmiths’ Company, London Assay Office.

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