By following a few simple guidelines, you can easily authenticate vintage Tiffany jewelry before you buy. Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has adhered to the highest standards in gemstone selection, craftsmanship, and branding. To authenticate vintage Tiffany jewelry, look first for certifications. Then inspect the Tiffany blue box or pouch, and any accompanying paperwork. Next, scrutinize the craftsmanship of the piece. Finally, look for a few distinctive characteristics.
Certificates & The Tiffany Blue Box
Before you buy a vintage Tiffany piece, ask the dealer or jeweler to show you all certificates from reputable gemological labs. Such labs include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gemological Society (AGS), the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).If one of these labs, especially the GIA or the AGS, confirms maker's marks or authenticates the presence of a Tiffany diamond or gemstone in the piece, you can rely on such statements.Furthermore, ask to see any other accompanying paperwork and packaging. Authentic vintage Tiffany jewelry may come with the iconic Tiffany Blue Box or pouch. It may also comes with a blue book and a certificate of authenticity.Tiffany merchandising is not easily accessible through secondhand markets. Tiffany & Co. monitors closely the resale of their merchandising, expressly forbidding sites such as eBay from reselling their boxes and pouches. (source)Obviously, these items can be faked. To be sure the box is authentic, look closely at the stamps. The text will be crisp and perfectly centered. Paperwork and booklets will be free of spelling errors. Margins will be crisp and even, and the font will be distinctive.It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the fonts Tiffany uses. Use the internet to research Tiffany merchandise. Study their brochures, certificates, and booklets. Pay attention to font size, alignment, margins, and any other details that will help you instantly spot a fake. (source)Of course, when purchasing estate Tiffany jewelry, sometimes these merchandising items are missing. In this case, it's time to look more closely at the jewel itself.
Distinctive Craftsmanship
Tiffany & Co. prides itself on its meticulous craftsmanship. The back and underside of the piece will be as pristine and polished as the front. The soldering lines will be invisible. Gemstones will match well with each other in size and color. (source)Every link should be soldered closed and polished to perfection. In fact, you shouldn't be able to see a soldering line at all.Take a deeper look, as well. Typically, vintage Tiffany jewelry will show signs of wear.Tiffany uses the same metal throughout a piece.Therefore, the color of the metal below the surface should match the color of the metal on the surface. (source)Furthermore, Tiffany & Co. never uses gold lower than 14k. If a piece is 10k or less, it is not a Tiffany. (source)
Vintage Tiffany Maker's Marks
Finally, check the font of the maker's mark. Again, it's a good idea to study authentic Tiffany jewels ahead of time. Memorize their fonts and placement preferences. (source)Although Tiffany changed their marks fairly routinely over the past 175 years, they maintained certain standards throughout. For one thing, they always use the ampersand (&). An authentic mark may read 'Tiffany & Co.' or 'T & Co.', but never anything else. (source)Furthermore, their stamps are always centered, crisp, and made at the same depth. Tiffany bevels the edges of their stamps, as well. A rounded edge is a sure sign of a fake. (source)With the exception of antique Tiffany jewelry, the maker's marks will withstand wear over time. You should be able to read the marks easily, even if the metal has worn down a bit. (source)Finally, Tiffany always stamps their high-karat pieces with indications of metal purity. Look for the '750' stamp to authenticate 18k gold pieces. On pieces made of sterling silver, locate the '925' stamp. Finally, for those made of platinum, look for '950'. (source)Do you feel ready to purchase your next vintage Tiffany jewel? If not, please feel free to visit our showroom to study authentic Tiffany jewelry up close and personal.~Angela MagnottiAndrews
4 years ago
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