We’ve all heard those stories. Of that guy who bought his fiancée a gorgeous ring and presented it to her in a blue Tiffany’s box. The ring is dazzling and sparkling – but just a tad too big. So the fiancée goes to Tiffany’s to get the ring resized, and lo and behold – the sales associate says, “I’m sorry, but this most certainly is not our product.” The fiancée is crushed, the fiancé is put on the spot, and everyone is upset. All because he dared to pass the fake product off as a real one.
We’re here to help make sure you don’t make that mistake. After all, while certain products command a higher price, they are also more inclined to be counterfeited. Bags, coins, watches, and jewelry – there are numerous places where one might find fakes. Here are just a few tips from our trusted and experienced staff on how to spot a fake and avoid a costly mistake.
1. If It Seems Too Good To Be True, That’s Probably Because It Is
For this reason alone, we always encourage buyers to work with experienced, trusted sellers, and vice versa. There are tons of sites out there that promise luxury Rolexes, Cartier signed jewelry, valuable rare coins, etc., but many of them are fake. Buying online can be a gamble sometimes, and sometimes you win, and sometimes you don’t. To be 100% sure of the authenticity of a piece, we recommend you get it evaluated by an experienced professional and work with a trusted business. Better to pay a little extra for something that’s been verified than pay for something that seems like a great deal and ultimately amounts to nothing.
2. Verify The Serial Number
Coins, collectible and luxury watches, pieces of bullion, and other valuables have unique serial numbers provided by the manufacturer. While some people can provide counterfeited serial numbers on their products, we encourage buyers and sellers to verify the serial number with the manufacturer directly to confirm that the piece in mind is not a fake. This way, you know for sure that what you have is real.
3. Confirm The Seller’s Legitimacy
A good way to confirm the seller’s legitimacy is to work with a trusted, reputable dealer. If it’s a seller or company that has been around for a long time, then they likely have a history of valid, legitimate transactions behind them. An experienced jeweler, numismatist or watch expert can help you understand the particular value of an item and verify its validity. They also understand that these are big purchases and will encourage you to take your time in assessing the product before you make a commitment. After all, a happy customer is likely to return and share the positive experience with others. A customer who feels ripped off on the hand, not so much.
4. Check The Details
Some of the things we look for when verifying a piece’s validity are the details. For example, every little detail on a genuine Rolex will stand up to the most intense of scrutiny because Rolex is meticulous in its craftsmanship. If it’s a piece of gold, there shouldn’t be any signs of fading. If you were to visit a local museum, you might find pieces of gold from several centuries ago that are just as bold as they were when they were first crafted – because that’s how well gold can stand up to the test of time. There’s also a heft to real gold, which can come as a surprise to many first-time gold coin collectors. Some other things we like to look at that can be buried in the details: packaging, stamps, and overall craftsmanship.
These are just a few of the tricks we have up our sleeves to verify the authenticity of a piece. Whether we are buying or selling, we make sure we do right by our customers and clients. If you’re looking to verify a piece or purchase one that has been vetted by our experienced and trusted staff, please make an appointment or call our store at 410-837-0290 today. We’d love to help you!
