Sadly, the antique jewelry market is packed full of fakes. Whether you like collecting it or you plan on purchasing some for a family member or friend, there are some things you must do first to spot a fake. In order to make sure that you’re making a legitimate purchase, here are some tips to know:
Uniqueness and the Brand
Each brand will have its own unique design. One brand may have lettering inscribed on the back while another brand may have certain colors available. It’s important to research each brand to find out what you should look out for. For example, what kind of colors do they come in? What kind of material is it made of? With so many brands, you will find that there are many expert guides available on the Internet.
Reputation of the Seller
It’s important that you know about the seller and their reputation before making a purchase. Are you purchasing from a reputable seller that has sold thousands of jewelry pieces, or are you purchasing from a son that found a jewelry box in the attic? Keep in mind that some sellers may think they have a legitimate piece of antique jewelry, when in the end, they have a fake. Of course, there are also the scam artists that try to claim it’s real when it’s really a fake.
Take a Close Look
If you can get your hands on the jewelry before you buy it, that’s great. What you’re going to want to look out for are a few things. For starters, how does the piece of jewelry feel? Does it feel cheap? Most antique jewelry was made of quality metals. By touching it alone, it should give you a good idea how old it truly is. Look for dirt around the stones, check the plating for wear and look at the back. The back should have older-style clasps, a worn down plate and an older metal appearance. Even if the seller claims that the jewelry is in mint condition, it shouldn’t look like it came off the assembly line yesterday.
Another thing to look closely at are the stones and base. Can you notice any glue? Are the stones perfect in color? Remember, older antique jewelry will have stone imperfections, and most stones and bands will be applied carefully with glue. A fake will often have a perfect stone and sloppy glue job.
Buying Fake Jewelry
Even if you suspect that the jewelry is fake, it’s best to talk about a refund policy. If you’re ever unsatisfied with the results, at least you will have the peace of mind knowing that you can return the item for a full refund.
About the Author: Austin, Texas resident, Peter Wendt, loves writing about jewelry. He recommends you click here to learn more about this topic.
