PRODUCT GRADING SCALE

ENAMEL PINS
Pin grading is subjective, and varies from maker to maker.
Since enamel pins are handmade items, they rarely, if ever, will appear 'perfect'.
Blushsprout offers multiple grades available for purchase. Regardless of grade, pins may exhibit natural variations that prevent them from being perfect.
We will always do our best to send out the highest quality pins available from each batch.
GRADE | DESCRIPTION |
Perfect / Collector's ("S") |
Blushsprout does not sell/offer perfect pins. |
Standard ("A") |
The highest quality of pin that Blushsprout offers. May exhibit minor variations and/or imperfections.
|
Seconds ("B") |
Seconds pins have one or multiple imperfections listed below, and therefore slightly discounted. This grade is perfect for collectors who enjoy wearing their pins around (and who love a good discount). One of the most common pieces of feedback I receive is that my Seconds grading is "indistinguishable from most Standard-grade pins" - but regardless, Seconds pins will have some sort of guaranteed imperfection.
|
Seconds Bin Grade ("C") | These pins are only available in my convention "seconds bin", or online during special sales. C-grade pins may exhibit the same flaws as B-grades, except more severely. For this reason, these pins are very heavily discounted and only available for purchase at conventions in my "Discount Bin". C-grades may have larger areas of unfilled enamel, very deep scratches, distracting dots/marks across the enamel, etc. |
DYED METAL PINS
Due to the production nature of dyed metal pins (which involves more unpredictable paint & print application), dyed metal pins are sold as two grades: "MIXED GRADE" and "B". All of our dyed metal pins will exhibit some sort of imperfection(s), as this is the nature of the product. If you have strict grading standards, please understand that this type of pin may not meet more perfectionist expectations.
GRADE | DESCRIPTION |
'MIXED GRADE' | A mix of "A-Minus" and "B-Plus" grades. The pins are not quite "A"/"Standard" grade, yet also not quite full "B"/"Seconds" grade. Mixed Grade pins may exhibit small streaks, bubbles, specks, divets, imperfect print in tiny areas, and miniscule chipping (only on backs or sides). Most of the time, imperfections are only visible if you tip the pin at a specific angle under the light. |
B | This grade will have one or more flaw(s) noticeable from all angles. Similar possible flaws as found in B-grade regular metal pins (see above). |