Most women love the little blue box that holds Tiffany and Co.’s jewelry. From sterling-silver earrings and necklaces to diamond rings and pendants, Tiffany and Co. is known for its fine pieces. Like most designer products, there is an entire market for replica Tiffany and Co. jewelry, and you don’t want to get duped into buying a fake. Follow a few simple steps to spot fake Tiffany and Co. jewelry..
Here are some instructions:
- Assess the craftsmanship of the jewelry. Tiffany and Co. pieces feature excellent craftsmanship. If the piece of jewelry appears to have shoddy craftsmanship, it is likely not authentic.
- Feel the weight of the jewelry. Tiffany and Co. pieces are solid. You can feel their weight in your hand as they are sturdy, solid silver. If the piece feels lightweight and hollow, it is probably a replica.
- Inspect the links on the piece if it is a necklace or bracelet. Tiffany and Co.’s links are not pinched together; the links are soldered together. You should not be able to see the beginning and ending points of each link.
- Look for the Tiffany and Co. stamp on the jewelry, an imprint that reads either “T & Co. 925″ or “Tiffany and Co. 925.” The “925″ means it is authentic sterling silver. There is usually an additional “925″ stamp on an item’s lobster clasp. If you are purchasing a piece that features both a chain and a pendant, both items should be stamped. If only one item is stamped, you should be suspicious of the jewelry’s authenticity.
- Study the engraving on the piece. All engraving should be clear, clean and well done. If it looks sloppy or unclear, it is probably not real.
- Look for any misspellings or typos on the jewelry. Many fake pieces feature the misspelling “Tiffiny and Co.”
- Assess the jewelry’s packaging. All Tiffany and Co. pieces come in a turquoise, velvet, drawstring bag, which is then placed inside the trademark Tiffany and Co. box. The box is tied with a white satin ribbon.
- Visit the official Tiffany and Co. website to view photos of authentic pieces (see Resources).
Via eHow.com