Buying beautiful diamonds, precious stones, delicate bracelets, and other jewelry items is very appealing, especially when visiting the jewelry store. Every other item calls you towards itself, and you cannot decide which one to pick. But what if these items are fake? How would you spot them? Are the diamond rings you just bought for yourself even real?
This blog teaches easy tricks for spotting the difference between real and fake luxury jewelry, so read to the end.
Understanding the Value of Authentic Jewelry
Think of a store where you know all fruits are made of plastic, and you cannot eat them but can decorate your home. Would you buy them for eating? Or let's say you have purchased a beautiful stone for your ring, and after some time, that stone starts looking like a rough one. Would you have bought it in the first place if you knew it was fake? Similarly, when you are looking for the best jewellers for engagement rings, wedding bands, or just random beautiful earrings and planning to buy an item, know how much you have put into earning this money. You surely do not want it to get wasted.
That is why it is important to know if the jewelry is real or fake before buying it.
Common Red Flags of Fake Jewelry
The following are some of the most common red flags to know that you are having a fake jewelry deal:
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Too Good to Be True Prices
Precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum speak for themselves, like rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. If you come across a piece of jewelry that is too low in price, know that it is fake. Judge the price yourself, as high-quality jewelry from valuable materials will determine its price. Even if you are looking for a custom jewelry maker near me, thoroughly check the prices first.
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Inconsistent Branding
Because luxury jewelry businesses value their reputation, their craftsmanship, packaging, and branding are always the same. Unusual packaging, misspelled names, or poor-quality materials indicate that the item could not be accurate.
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Suspicious Materials
Pay special attention to the materials used to make the jewelry. For instance, it is difficult to duplicate the precise weight, excellence, and feel of genuine gold and silver. Jewelry that seems very shiny or excessively light can be a fake.
Examining Hallmarks and Stamps
If you have ordered some try-on engagement rings at home and you cannot decide if they are real or fake, here is what you can do:
- Check the signs of hall marls or stamps inside the ring.
- The simple engravings will contain the brand logo or signs, such as "18K" for 18-karat gold or "925" for sterling silver.
- If the hallmark is evident and deeply engraved, it's real.
Weight and Quality of Materials
Jewelry's weight may often give information regarding its quality. Because precious metals like gold and platinum are denser than other metals, genuine luxury jewelry often seems heavier. Lighter metals or alloys with less weight are frequently used to create fake jewelry. Authentic jewelry usually has a beautiful finish, so you may also search for minor flaws.
How to Check the Quality:
- If you have some authentic jewelry in your vault, compare the weight and feel.
- Real silver and gold metals do not react or attract to the magnets, so if your jewelry is attracted toward magnets or sticking to it, it is fake.
Stones and Gem Authenticity
Pretty gemstones are no longer limited to the queen's crown; you can also buy them if you have a good fortune. Gemstones used in the adornment of luxury jewelry, such as diamonds, are very rare and precious. So, it is better to know how to spot a fake diamond while looking for the best jewelry stores for engagement rings around you to save yourself from falling into the honeytrap and losing thousands of dollars.
Tips for Verifying Gemstones:
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Clarity and Sparkle
Replicating the unique clarity and glitter of real diamonds and other jewels is challenging. A stone can be false if it seems hazy or too glossy in certain lighting.
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Test for Moissanites
Since Moissanite stones may resemble diamonds, they are frequently used instead of diamonds. However, moissanite has a more rainbow-like sheen since it is somewhat more refractive. A diamond tester might be helpful to determine if the stone is moissanite or a genuine diamond.
The Importance of Certifications
The most important thing that should not escape your mind while investing in luxury jewelry is to get a jewelry certificate. The authentic and best jewelers for engagement rings or other jewelry pieces will provide you with a certificate of authentication, which will contain details of the craftsmanship, materials, origin of the item, and gems used in it (if any). If the seller fails to make lame excuses by showing you that certificate, walk away from the store luxury watches.
Standard Certifications to Look For:
- Diamond certificates from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are trustworthy if you live in the USA.
- Certifications for platinum, silver, or gold frequently contain details on the genuineness and purity of the metal used.
Avoiding Online Scams
Online buying is practical, but it also facilitates the sale of counterfeit luxury jewelry by con artists. Make sure the website you're purchasing from is reliable. Check for explicit return terms, verified vendors, and user reviews.
Tips for Safe Online Purchases:
- Buy from sites that you trust, that are famous in trading, and that have a good track record of customer service, such as Skeies Jewelers.
- Stay away from sites that either offer unimaginable discounts on luxury jewelry or have remarkably lower prices than the actual ones. This applies both in-store and online.
Questions to Ask Your Jeweler:
When you are visiting in-store for a jewelry piece or online, the following are the questions you must ask your jeweller:
- What is your return policy?
- Can I see the certification of the piece?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I use my home to verify that my expensive jewelry is authentic?
Simple tests like a magnet test, hallmark check, or diamond tester for gemstones can be carried out.
2. Why does certification matter when purchasing expensive jewelry?
You may be assured that the jewelry is legitimate because of certifications that attest to the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.
3. Are online jewelry retailers reliable?
Yes, as long as you only deal with trustworthy suppliers with authenticated client testimonials, clear return guidelines, and the appropriate credentials.
Summing up
Buying jewelry involves money, but spotting fake jewelry requires knowledge of the material, attention to detail, and the right questions to ask the jewellers. Most overlook these things as we know little about luxury jewelry or its materials.
So whenever you want to buy a luxury piece, make sure to educate yourself enough to identify a fair and a fake deal. The tips and tricks mentioned above will teach you the small details and give you the confidence to buy genuine luxury jewelry.
So, have you made up your mind to buy a luxury jewelry item yet? Feel free to contact Skeies Jewelers. You will get the best customer policies and support, authentic jewelry with certification, and customized one of your choice for your big or small occasions.