In response to feedback from the Community, we are updating the Designer, Artisan Jewelry Category in mid-July by renaming it to Designer Brands and moving artisan products (including lampwork) into other categories.

Please look through our proposed changes below and provide us with feedback on the boards through 5/25/05. Our team will be reading and responding to threads during that time.

To view the proposed Designer Brands structure, please click here.

What we are proposing


The listings in Designer, Artisan Jewelry contain different types of products, designer brands and artisan products (including lampwork). We have heard from the Community that buyers and sellers are confused by the fact that both kinds of products are included here. We have also heard that buyers are confused about where to look for artisan products, in the Designer, Artisan Jewelry category or in other Jewelry & Watches categories like Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces & Pendants, etc. So, we are proposing the following:

• We are renaming the Designer, Artisan Jewelry category to Designer Brands and breaking it out by specific designers like David Yurman and James Avery.


• We are adding product type subcategories (e.g., bracelets, earrings, etc.) under various brands where there are enough listings to support those subcategories.


• We are moving the existing Lampwork subcategories into new Lampwork subcategories created in Bracelets, Earrings, and Necklaces & Pendants. Please click on the proposed Designer Brands Structure to see where those Lampwork subcategories will go.


• We are eliminating the Gold and Silver subcategories and moving them into “Other” categories.

What we need to know from you



• Please review the list of proposed brands and let us know if there are any more that you would like us to consider adding. Please keep in mind that we generally need sufficient listing counts before we can develop a subcategory for those listings.

What is the impact on buyers and sellers?


• When the changes go live in mid-July, listings in the existing Gold and Silver subcategories will be moved to “Other” subcategories in Designer Brands. At the time of the rollout, sellers should think about new places to list their items (including Stores Fixed Price Good Until Canceled Listings). Otherwise, these listings will continue to go in “Other” subcategories. We will provide you with the list of new category IDs before the changes go live.


• These changes may require buyers to recreate some of their saved/favorite searches. We will send directions on how to revise search strings when the changes rollout in mid-July.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the overall strategy of the Jewelry & Watches team in proposing these and possible future category structure changes?

A: The Jewelry & Watches team seeks to improve the buyer browsing experience to help buyers find items more efficiently and effectively.

Q: Why aren’t you including more designer brands?

A: To create brand subcategories, we need a large number of listings for that particular brand. As subcategories populate, we will consider adding more brands to this category.

Q: Why aren’t you including the same list of product types under every brand in your proposals for Designer?

A: For each brand, we have included only those product types that have a large number of listings for those specific products. As categories populate, we will add more product types as well as brands.

Q: Could I update my category number once the changes go live?

A: If your item has received no bids or purchases and does not end within 12 hours, you can revise the category number. If your item has received a bid, a purchase, or ends within 12 hours, you can only add a second category (i.e., the new category number in addition to the old category number).

Q: Where can I see a list of the new category numbers?

A: We will provide a link to category numbers for new categories on the boards approximately 2 weeks before the changes are scheduled to go live.

Q: How can I best prepare for the proposed category changes?

A: Review the proposed changes and use the new category number (when applicable) when listing your items if/when the category changes have been made.