Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we actually get asked. If you're looking for the short version of how the platform works, head over to How It Works.
Buying
How does buying on StillSparkly work?
Browse, find something you love, add your shipping address, check out. Flat $6.50 shipping. Sellers ship within 3 business days, and USPS Ground Advantage delivers in another 2–5 business days, so most orders land within a week of purchase.
Does StillSparkly authenticate the jewelry?
No. We don't inspect, test, or authenticate items, and sellers describe their own pieces. Sellers agree to our Terms when they sign up and list, including that what they list is theirs to sell, isn't stolen or counterfeit, and is accurately described. If something arrives and turns out to be counterfeit, mislabeled, or significantly not as described, Buyer Protection applies (you have 3 days from delivery to open a case). For higher-value pieces we encourage sellers to share hallmarks, certificates, and close-ups of any stamps, and you can email support@stillsparkly.com or use our contact page with questions before you buy.
What's the return policy?
You have 3 days after delivery to request a return if the item is significantly not as described. We're not a department store, so "changed my mind" isn't covered. When you open a return, the seller gets to share their side, and then our team makes the call. If we approve it, you ship the item back (use our prepaid label, with the cost deducted from your refund unless we decide the seller was at fault, or ship it back yourself with tracking). We refund what you paid for the item, shipping, and tax once your return is on its way back.
How does dispute resolution work?
If something goes sideways (wrong item, damaged in transit, not as described), open a case from your order page within 3 days of delivery. We'll ask both you and the seller for photos, any messages between you, and context. Our team reviews and makes a call, usually within 2 business days, and you'll get the decision in writing with the reasoning. We try to be fair to everyone, and we don't favor sellers just because they pay us commission.
What if my package is lost or stolen?
Every order ships with USPS tracking. If a package goes missing in transit (tracking stops, never marked delivered), open a case from your order page and we'll work with the seller and USPS on a claim. Labels bought through StillSparkly include shipping protection from XCover, subject to its terms. If tracking shows it was delivered but it wasn't actually in your hands (porch piracy, wrong address scanned), open a case as well and we'll review what happened. What we can do depends on the details, like delivery scans, photos, and the signature on higher-value orders. Filing a police report is usually a good idea for stolen mail.
Can I ask a question about a piece before buying?
Yes, and we encourage it. Send your question through our contact page or email support@stillsparkly.com, and include a link to the listing. We'll do our best to help with things like extra photos, condition questions, and sizing, so you can feel confident before you buy.
Selling
How much does it cost to list?
Nothing. Listing is free, with no listing fees and no monthly subscription. When your item sells, StillSparkly takes a flat 8% commission, deducted from your earnings automatically. There's no separate buyer fee. Shipping is a flat $6.50 and the buyer pays it, unless you turn on free shipping for that listing and cover it yourself.
How do the listing tools work?
Take a photo of your piece. Our listing tools look at it and suggest a type, metal, stones, condition, title, description, and price. Those are automated estimates and they can be wrong, so you review everything, fix whatever is off, and publish. What you publish is your responsibility. The whole process takes under a minute.
Is there a minimum listing price?
Yes, $4.00. That's about the lowest price where it still makes sense for everyone involved (you, the buyer, shipping costs, our cut).
How many items can I list?
Sellers who joined during our founding period can list as many items as they want. Other sellers' listing limits scale with trust level and sales history.
What can I sell?
Jewelry only, whether it's vintage, pre-owned, or handmade. Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches, watches, hair pieces. Items have to be yours to sell and accurately described. No counterfeits or replicas, no stolen goods, and no non-jewelry items. Our terms have the full list.
How do I get paid?
Payouts go through Stripe Connect. Connect a bank account or debit card in your seller settings, and your earnings (minus our 8%) build up in your StillSparkly balance as items sell. You can request a payout from your seller dashboard at any time, with a $1.00 minimum.
When are my earnings actually available to withdraw?
Earnings from a sale become withdrawable 3 days after delivery, once the return window closes. That way, if a buyer opens a return, the refund can be processed without clawing money back out of your account. If delivery is never confirmed, earnings release 14 days after the order ships, and earnings stay on hold while a return case is open. Once earnings are released, you can withdraw them. In rare cases, like a card dispute or a refund that comes later, an amount can still be taken back from your balance (our terms explain when).
Do I have to verify my identity to sell?
Yes. To get paid through Stripe Connect, you'll provide standard info: legal name, date of birth, address, and the last four of your SSN. Stripe handles all of it directly. We never see or store any of it. This is required for tax compliance and fraud prevention.
Will I get a 1099-K?
Stripe reports seller earnings to the IRS, and issues you a 1099-K, according to the reporting rules in effect for that year. Those thresholds have changed more than once recently, and some states set lower ones, so check the current IRS rules or ask a tax professional. When a form is due, Stripe makes it available in your dashboard. We don't handle tax filing for you, and even if you're below a reporting threshold, you're still responsible for reporting your income.
What about shipping?
Flat $6.50 paid by the buyer. Once your item sells, you'll get a prepaid USPS Ground Advantage label from your seller dashboard, then drop it off within 3 business days. Packaging is on you, but we have tips in the dashboard for keeping pieces safe in transit.
What if a buyer files a return I disagree with?
You'll get notified the moment a return request is opened, and you have a chance to respond with your side (photos, original listing details, conversation history, whatever's relevant). Our team reviews both sides and makes the call. If the buyer's claim doesn't hold up against your evidence, we don't approve the return. You'll always see the reasoning behind the decision.
Trust & safety
How do you keep things trustworthy?
A few layers. Sellers give Stripe their identity details before they can get paid. Every listing has to include photos and an accurate condition description. You can ask us questions before you buy through our contact page, and orders paid for on StillSparkly are covered by Buyer Protection (3 days from delivery to open a case). Sellers build trust levels over time based on sales history and buyer reviews, we review reports, and we remove accounts and listings that break the rules. We don't inspect or authenticate items ourselves.
What does buyer protection actually cover?
Items that are significantly not as described, counterfeit, damaged on arrival, or never delivered. It does not cover buyer's remorse, sizing issues you could have checked before buying, or normal wear that was disclosed in the listing. The protection window is 3 days from delivery. After that, the sale is final.
General
Where is StillSparkly available?
Right now, we're US-only. To sell, you set up payouts through Stripe, which needs a US bank account and a US tax ID (your Social Security number or an EIN), so everyone selling here is based in the States. And since we only ship within the 50 states, buyers need a US address too. We'd love to go wider someday, but we're starting in one place so we can actually do it well.
What if I have another question?
Email us at support@stillsparkly.com. We're real people and we actually reply.
Still have a question? Email support@stillsparkly.com. Or, if you'd rather get started, browse jewelry or list a piece of your own.