How to Tell if Tiffany & Co. is Authentic

Nearly every woman seems to know how to spot a shopping bag from Tiffany & Co. by the distinctive light blue color. If you are buying the jewelry online, though, it is a lot more important to spot the real deal from all the fakes. It seems that stories abound on the web about buyers who have been tricked by an endless assortment of schemes and lies. Here are a number of tips on how to make sure the Tiffany jewelry you are buying is real.

Instructions

Buying Authentic Tiffany Jewelry

1. Buy from the Tiffany & Co. website. If you can afford to pay the retail costs for Tiffany jewelry, the wisest thing to do is buy it directly from the company. Unless you are seeking a good deal on second-hand items, any money you save by going elsewhere is probably not worth the risk of buying a fake.

2. Make sure it is a photo of the actual item. If the photo is simply copied from the Tiffany web site, you never know what you are buying according to FakeNot.com, a website dedicated to spotting fake merchandise. They recommend making sure the photo is clear enough that you can see all the details of the item.

3. Check the quality of craftsmanship. One of the reasons that Tiffany jewelry is prized is the superior quality of its product. The links on any tag bracelet or tag necklace are soldered together and very smooth, according to a top eBay guide on buying real Tiffany jewelry. If there are any rough flaws or shoddy workmanship at all, most likely it is fake. All Tiffany items are stamped with the official Tiffany & Co. 925 mark. Also, if it is real silver, like all Tiffany jewelry is, it should be fairly heavy in your hand.

4. Don't be fooled by cheap prices. Tiffany jewelry is expensive, plain and simple. The company does not offer sales nor sell its merchandise through wholesalers or third parties. Even second-hand Tiffany jewelry is almost always priced according to what consumers are willing to pay. If the price looks too good to be true, it is.

5. Ask the seller detailed questions. One of the easiest ways to spot a fake item is to spot a deceptive seller. If they are selling a large number of Tiffany & Co. items, make sure they are a reputable jeweler with an established online presence, such as good feedback, a link to a real store address and a phone number to call. If they are only selling a single item, ask them why they are selling the piece, if they have a receipt and if they accept returns. Anyone who is legitimate understands the perils of buying fake jewelry and will go out of their way to assure the buyer that it is real.

Tips & Warnings

• Compare the photo of the item to the photo of the jewelry on the official Tiffany & Co. website.

• Every website that uses the Tiffany name but is not the official site is known to be fake.

References

• FakeNot.com: How To Spot Fake Tiffany & Co Jewelry
• eBay Guide: How To Spot Fake Tiffany Jewelry

Resources

• Tiffany & Co.