Acceptance & Submission Guidelines

GEMSTONES

At Catawiki, we move constantly forward. Our positioning is evolving to a strong premium segment which opens more opportunities for success for us and for you.

From the 20 million visitors that come to our platform every month, we gain valuable information on what they are passionate about and what they prefer to buy.With your help, we want to make sure we continuously meet this demand and offer the special objects that our growing number of bidders are excited about and want to buy.

In these guidelines, we’ve defined what the special pieces are that bidders look for in our gemstone auctions. We’ll also state what we require from you to successfully place them in auction. These guidelines serve to create a level playing field between all our sellers.

We will be happy to make room in our auctions for your lots that meet this high quality demand, and we will aim to shape ourselves to better fit you.Our experts and account managers will be fully supporting and guiding you for success on Catawiki.

Thank you for being with us on this exciting journey!

GemstonesPremium Positioning

Because potential buyers come to Catawiki looking for special and rare gemstones, our in-house experts select every piece for our auctions, ensuring they are of superior quality and are presented in the best possible way.

We do this because we aim to keep our bidders excited, allowing them to find the pieces they’re interested in and ensure our sellers have great selling experiences.

If your gemstone is pretty and special, we would love to see it.

At Catawiki we auction the best gemstones of select quality which are unique and appealing to passionate gemstones enthusiasts.

Authenticity - Quality

Product GuidelinesFor our auctions we seek and select:

● a wide range of natural gemstones and gemstones with selected standard treatments (or without treatments).

● gemstones that are in a good condition and that have a sufficient quality in cut and clarity to be mounted in jewellery.

● gemstones that are accompanied by a trusted gemmological certificate.

● gemstones that have a minimum estimated lot value of €100 (as single stones, or, for selected gemstones offered as parcel).

At Catawiki we auction gemstones gathered from all corners of the world.

Certified natural gemstones of premium quality

For our gemstone auctions we seek a wide range of natural gemstones that are accompanied by a trusted gemmological certificate (see details further on). This includes:

● Pearl, jade and other selected rare species, e.g. Benitoite or Taaffeite

● Beryl, all types (Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite etc.)● Corundum (all colours of Sapphire, Ruby)● Tanzanite (and Zoisite)● Spinel (all colours)● Chrysoberyl (incl. Cat’s Eye and Alexandrite)● Opal (all Crystal Types, Fire Opals etc.)● Garnet (all colours)● Diaspore● Grandidierite● Tourmaline (all colours)● Zircon (all colours)● Peridot● Topaz (all colours)● Star corundum● Quartz (Amethyst, Ametrine, Citrine)

✘ Amber, coral as well as lab grown gemstones (synthetic) and composite gemstones are not suitable

Selection of uncertified natural gemstones

Certain gemstones may be offered in a multiple stone lot, without a gemmological certificate. This only applies to gemstones that have an individual value below €100 and that comply with all other quality requirements. This also includes:

● Microcrystalline quartz (such as carnelian, jasper, tiger eye or petrified wood)● Turquoise● Lapis Lazuli● Rose Quartz● Tourmalines● Smoky quartz, Rock Crystal● Moonstone

Faceted and cut gemstonesFor our dedicated Gemstone auctions, we select faceted and cut minerals (gemstones), as well as polished minerals, e.g. cabochons, that are small and ready to be mounted in jewellery

This includes cuts such as:

● brilliant, oval, emerald, pear, cabochon, marquise, cushion, trillion, square, princess, baguette, radiant, heart, fancy.

All cuts need to be of decent quality, good enough to be used in jewellery. This is determined by e.g.:1) Proportions (symmetry, crown height etc.)2) Light performance (brilliance, windowing etc.)3) Finish (polish)

✘ Gemstones that show low quality in all above criteria may be found unsuitable for our auctions.

✗ ✗NB: Rough gemstones, slices, large carvings, spheres, balls, or eggs are more suitable for our Minerals auction. ✗

Clarity & condition

For our auctions we accept gemstones that are undamaged and have a decent clarity. This means that the item submitted:

● may be transparent or translucent, depending on the gemstone. For some gemstones that are readily found as transparent, such as Tanzanite, Aquamarine or Tourmalines, the value and demand decreases very suddenly if translucent or opaque so these may not be accepted. Very dark gemstones where the actual colour is hard to see, such as dark blue Sapphires may also not be accepted.

● may present inclusions (for example emerald could present inclusions)

✘ If the gemstone contains inclusions that affect the visual beauty of the gemstones (because the light cannot be reflected well or the colour is masked by the inclusions), the expert can decide not to approve it.

● may have single small chips on girdle/facets or some signs of wear - these gemstones may be accepted (mainly without a reserve price) as long as they are clearly disclosed in pictures and in the description. No pits and cracks on the surface will be accepted.

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Accepted standard treatments REVIEWThe following traditional, standard, treatments are accepted for selected gemstones:

● Heat treatment for corundum, tanzanites, citrine, amethyst, ametrine, zircon, tourmaline and pink topaz.

● Clarity Enhanced: gemstones that have traditionally received clarity enhancement (minor, moderate and significant).

● Oiling for emeralds. ● Irradiation for blue topaz. ● Jade: waxing (A-jade), no bleach, no dye accepted.

The following treatments are not suitable for our auctions:

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✘ Materials such as emeralds, sapphires, tourmalines, spinels etc. that have had non-traditional coloured material such as dyes, coloured oils and coloured fillers (such as lead glass).

✘ No fillers or foreign substances unless those as traditionally found in gemstones such as Emeralds.

✘ Coating, as it might give a false appearance to the gemstone, (e.g. Mystic Topaz etc.).

✘ Dyed, Sugar treated and Smoked opals.

beryllium (lattice) diffused (sapphires)

composites (such as doublets, triplets)

● All gemstones generally valued at €100 or more require a certificate from our list of approved gemmological laboratories, as listed on the next slide.

● Sellers who have a degree in Gemmology and experience in the trade, may offer in the ‘Certified Gemmologist Auctions’ without a certificate (only after being approved by our experts) but, for gemstones valued above €950, they still need to add a gemmological report.

● Gemstones that have an individual value below €100 can be offered in homogeneous parcels (2 or more) to the Parcels of Gemstones auction, without a certificate. But the same standards apply.

Authenticity / Certification Requirements

Buyers are more likely to bid on your lot if they know it’s certified as being authentic. This is why we ask to see certificates from trusted gemmological institutes for certain high valued types of gemstones.

List of suggested trusted gemmological institutes On the next page you will find quality and value restrictions per report

Full reports of these independent and professional laboratories are generally considered to carry sufficient details:● AIG (Israel & Milano)● AIGS● ALGT (Antwerp)● AnchorCert (London)● AGL● DSEF● GIA● Gübelin● GRS (Gem Research Swisslab)● GW Lab (Israel)● IGI (Antwerp, India, Bangkok & Israel)● IGE (Madrid)● IGI (Istituto Gemmologico Italiano Milano)● IJGC (Antwerp)● LFG (France)● Lotus● Masterstones (Rome) ● NEL (Leiden) ● SSEF● The London Gem and Pearl Laboratory

Please be aware that we do not consider reports of the following laboratories:

✘ AIG (Belgium)✘ IGL (Israel)✘ EGL (Belgium)✘ EGL (USA)✘ CDG (Israel)✘ CGL (Israel)✘ GIL (Bangkok & Israël) ✘ GECI (Italy)✘ CISGEM (Italy)

NB: We do NOT accept ID report cards or preliminary reports from any laboratory.

If a gemstone is of a high value and/or particularly rare, bidders may expect the extra peace of mind of seeing two reports. We may therefore make the request for a second

report from a reputable laboratory to support the lot. Please note it has to be two reports from the laboratories without

value restrictions as listed in the following slide.

Quality and value restrictions per report type

Lab/Report Value restrictions Species and quality restrictions

AGLGIAGRS (Gem Research Swiss Lab)Gubelin (Switzerland)HRDIGILotus (Thailand)SSEF

No value restrictions. See guidelines for treatments, clarity, and conditions for details.

DSEF (Germany)NEL (Leiden)GW Lab (IL)IGE (Madrid)ALGT (B)LFG (F)Anchor Cert (UK)The London Gem and Pearl LaboratoryMasterstones (IT)AIGS (Thailand)

Low estimate maximum of €10,000. See guidelines for treatments, clarity, and conditions for details.

AIG (IL)AIG (IT)IGI Milano (IT)IJGC (B)

Low estimate maximum of €2,000. See guidelines for treatments, clarity, and conditions for details.

Lot Description

To help encourage potential buyers to bid on your lot, you should include a detailed description of your object(s). This should be thorough and honest, and follow the guidelines on the next page.

Submission Guidelines

Potential buyers are more likely to bid on lots with a good description, all relevant information displayed clearly and, of course, beautiful photos.

Lot DetailsIf you are using our website to upload your lots, tips will appear to give you guidance about what information we need to know about your lot. The fields that you fill in help to present the information in a way that’s easy for the buyer to read.

The required information includes:● Number of stones● Type of gemstone● Individual gemstone weight● Total carat weight● Cut● Colour and clarity ● Treatment● Certification ● Country of origin (only if on the

report)● Sealed yes/no

Please use the additional description box to mention:

● Always provide overall information as given on the certificate in the form of a list, including the laboratory report name and number in the description.

● The measurements, colour in detail, clarity and treatments asthese are not always mentioned in the reports.

● Description of any imperfections.● The light sources used in the pictures (if other than daylight).● Shipping method.● If you provide a country of origin which is not stated in the report, please

clearly state this with the following disclaimer:‘N.B. Country of origin is an opinion offered by the seller of this item. This opinion is not substantiated by an official laboratory.’

● If the report does not specify anything about treatment, please include: “Treatments not specified on the report” or “This type of gemstone is commonly treated/heated” (i.e topaz/citrine).

Photographs

To allow our experts, as well as our bidders, to get the right impression of an item, we require:

● A minimum of 5 close-up pictures, showing the gemstone from the top, bottom and side.

● One clearly readable image of the full certification report, where applicable.

● If the lot is sealed, we require an image of both the front and back of the seal.

Submission Guidelines

Including strong photographs is key to catching buyers’ eyes, ensuring they bid on your lot. Of course, buying online means potential bidders do not get a chance to see your lot in person, therefore detailed and high quality photographs are very important.

Image Guidelines ● Photograph your item in front of a plain, white background. Tip: You could use a white or black piece of A4

paper, folded in half and placed on a table in an L shape. Place the gemstone in the middle of your L-shaped paper and take your photos.

● Photos should show nothing else but the item(s) you want to put up for auction. Please also avoid any self-portraits or bare hands.

● Please always provide sharp close-up images of the back, bottom, top, and sides views of the gemstone. Use a macro lense if necessary.

● Include a clearly readable image of the paper certificate (not an online copy).

● Sealed gemstones require at least a clearly readable full picture of the front and back of the sealed certificate and paper certificate (not an online copy).

● Unless you can use professional lighting, make sure to photograph in daylight. Lamp light obscures an item’s true colours, and flash photography can cause shadows or glare. Other light sources may be used but must be clearly mentioned.

✘ Do not use logos in any of your images.✘ Please note that stock photos are not allowed and images should not be enhanced. Reasonable adjustment

of white balance and cropping is fine.

Image GuidelinesExample for sealed gemstones

If you are in any doubt as to whether something is permitted or not, please do get in touch with a member of the Gemstones team for advice or clarification as this could save resources on both sides.

Also we do welcome feedback, thoughts and ideas.

Thank you