(The samples submitted for testing, which are labeled with fake tags, were photographed with the customer’s consent.)

Laboratory testing personnel have verified that these certificates—bearing the name and logo of the China National Jewelry Inspection—are all counterfeit. For the average consumer, certificates bearing labels such as CMA and CAL, along with details like product names, codes, prices, and the China National Jewelry Inspection mark, are convincingly authentic-looking. So, what does an authentic certificate from the China National Jewelry Inspection actually look like? Let me carefully explain it to you.

(Left: Counterfeit certification label Right: Genuine certification label from the National Gem and Jewelry Testing Center)

The official certificate issued by the National Gem and Jewelry Testing Center contains:

1. Possesses national authoritative certification marks such as CMA and CNAS;

2. Indicate the relevant parameters of jewelry and ornament samples that have been tested and certified as conforming to national standards in terms of naming, quality, and other specifications;

3. The QR code on the certificate signature.

The QR code on the certificate label allows consumers to verify its authenticity by scanning it, and also provides access to product testing information. This is currently the most reliable method for consumers to determine whether a certificate label is genuine or counterfeit. If you encounter a certificate label that lacks a QR code or whose QR code cannot be scanned, you should seriously doubt its authenticity!

Counterfeit certificate/signature:

1. The naming method does not comply with national standard requirements;

2. No QR code information related to the product;

3. Product Price (Official jewelry certificates issued by the National Jewelry Inspection Bureau typically do not include price markings; if a price is indicated, it should not appear on the page bearing the National Jewelry Inspection Bureau’s certification mark.)

Through inquiry, we learned that all the samples submitted for testing originated from a well-known e-commerce platform.

It is not the first time that laboratories have discovered samples submitted for testing bearing counterfeit certification seals. Coincidentally, last year, the Shanghai Laboratory of the China National Gemstone Testing Center also received a personal sample bearing a counterfeit certification seal issued by the China National Gemstone Testing Center.

Customer Zhou submitted for testing a precious metal necklace bearing the “Jewelry National Inspection Certificate Seal” (as shown in the figure).

(The customer, Mr. Zhou, submitted a sample for testing; photos were taken with the customer’s consent.)

During the sample acceptance process, staff noticed that the clasp of the submitted sample was tagged with a label bearing the words “National Jewelry Inspection.” It was confirmed that this label was a counterfeit certification mark (see the image below for details).

(Left: Fake certificate seal bearing the National Gem and Jewelry Testing Center’s mark; Right: Genuine certificate seal from the National Gem and Jewelry Testing Center)

Some readers might ask: Why does the certificate shown in this image look different from the one mentioned earlier? Let me clarify: Since the China National Jewelry Quality Supervision and Inspection Corporation officially transformed into a for-profit enterprise this year (2022), its official name has changed accordingly. However, whether it’s the previous certificate or the current one, both are genuine certification documents issued by the China National Jewelry Quality Supervision and Inspection Corporation. The simplest and most direct way to verify their authenticity is to scan the QR code—just scan the code, and you’ll instantly determine whether the certificate is genuine or counterfeit!

After inspection and testing, the sample was confirmed to be made of copper, which does not match the precious-metal hallmark and label markings. This is not only a counterfeit piece of jewelry bearing the national inspection certificate but also a product that deliberately passes off fake as genuine and seriously infringes upon consumers’ legitimate rights and interests! According to staff from the National Jewelry Inspection Authority who were involved in distributing the samples, the product was purchased by Mr. Zhou during a promotional event at a certain store on the Pinduoduo app. The actual transaction amount was approximately 14,900 yuan, yet no invoice or receipt was provided—only a card-like voucher served as proof of purchase.

After the incident, Mr. Zhou contacted the merchant to negotiate and received a full refund. He is very grateful for the assistance provided by the National Jewelry Inspection Center, which helped him avoid this loss.

With the rapid development of the information age, convenient online shopping has become a daily part of people’s lives, and various online shopping platforms have emerged accordingly. But is online jewelry shopping really reliable? And how can we safeguard our rights and interests while enjoying the immense convenience brought by the information age?

Through these two incidents involving forged certificates, the National Gem and Jewelry Testing Center once again reminds consumers: Online shopping carries risks. No matter which channel or platform you use to purchase jewelry and accessories, be sure to ask the seller for a receipt or invoice and keep your transaction records carefully. Also, make sure to verify that the certification issued by a reputable testing institution is genuine and official, so that you can effectively safeguard your legitimate consumer rights in case of any disputes.