A Tiffany & Co. necklace is not just an accessory. It is a piece of history and a keepsake that can be an investment with the value it carries. However, with all the magic that can come from buying a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it also carries the risk of being a counterfeit.

For this reason, if you love nice jewelry, knowing how to spot a fake Tiffany necklace is more than a helpful party trick; it is an obligatory skill to protect your heart and your money! 

The issue of fakes extends well beyond purchase of knockoff designers that are sold from vendors in an alleyway. Even online stores and sometimes secondhand stores can consist of fake items.

If you love Tiffany & Co. jewelry and are determined to buy a genuine piece, this guide will take you through the same details that the experts would provide you with so you can be a more confident buyer and wiser consumer.

It’s All in the Feel: The Weight and Finish of a Genuine Piece

Before you even search for a stamp or logo, simply take the piece and hold it in your hand. A true Tiffany & Co. piece has heft and feels solid that is made from a solid, high-quality metal like sterling silver (92.5 pure silver), 18k gold or platinum. A cheap counterfeit will be made of cheap base metal with thin plating that causes it to feel too light and flimsy.

Next, you can run your fingers along the chain. Tiffany places a solid solder on each link of a necklace. That means that you should not detect an opening, seam, or pinch mark anywhere along the chain. 

The soldering has been done to such a high standard that you can see each link is a perfect, unbroken circle. You may find that a counterfeit will have clear breaks in the links and untidy, glaring solder markers. 

If the whole piece feels fluid and smooth against your skin and has no sharp or rough edges, particularly with the clasps, then it is ok to assume there is an element of quality polish to the piece.

The Telltale Stamps: Reading Tiffany Hallmarks on Jewelry

The small engravings, or hallmarks, found on a Tiffany piece are its registration of authenticity. An authentic piece will have these marks crisp, clean, and perfectly legible pressed into the metal. They will never be a blur, shallow, or uneven.

You should find the following marks:

• Brand Mark: This will read " Tiffany & Co." or "T & Co." You should pay attention to the font, as it needs to be accurate and consistent with the brand's official typography.

• Purity Mark: This will show the metal content. The hallmark for sterling silver is "925" or "Sterling." Platinum will be "950" or "PLAT." 18k Gold will read "750." With regard to these numbers, if one of these is missing or looks sloppy, you should be suspicious.

• Designer Signatures: If the piece is made from an iconic collection, it will contain the designer's signature. For example, an Elsa Peretti piece will have her beautiful cursive signature engraved into it.

These Tiffany hallmarks on jewelry are proof and form part of the brand's quality control, and a major component of the piece's value. 

Whether you intend to keep or sell them, their meaning is important, especially if you ever decide you want to part with a jewelry item. A buyer's first focus will be these Tiffany hallmarks on jewelry.

The "Return to Tiffany" Collection: A Special Focus

Considering its incredible popularity, the "Return to Tiffany" collection may be the most counterfeited by far. Knowing the specific features for this design is a critical step in learning how to spot fake Tiffany necklace. 

The engraving on the iconic heart tag (or disc) is sometimes imprinted on fakes. The engraving reads "PLEASE RETURN TO TIFFANY & CO. NEW YORK", on a real tag, there is larger spacing between the text on the two lines, and the letters are very clear and distinguishable. 

The counterfeits sometimes have the text bunched up and do not have even spacing, others have a font that is too thick, and others are too thin. The tag should be substantial, not flimsy, and it should have elegant and smooth edges.

More Than a Box: Analyzing the Iconic Packaging

While a real box does not ensure a real necklace, a fake box almost certainly results in a fake necklace. The Tiffany Blue Box is a particular shade of blue, the hallmark trademarked shade specific to Tiffany & Co., which is light robin egg blue. 

Counterfeiters rarely get the color correct. Most will be either too dark, too green, or too light a tint of blue. The company name "Tiffany & Co." on the box and included gift bag should be printed in a sharp black color with a slight emboss (not flat ink).

The necklace should be packaged in a high-quality pouch, usually either a soft black suede-like material or one made of Tiffany Blue fabric. The pouch should feel luxurious and substantial with a tidy-looking drawstring inside and even stitching. A cheap, flimsy pouch is a dead giveaway.

If you want to buy a Tiffany necklace, buying it second-hand is usually a higher risk. However, with trusted sites like Value Creation UAE, you can find authentic designer items for a much less price than a brand new item.

Diamonds Don't Lie: Scrutinizing Gemstones and Settings

If the necklace has diamonds, then you're expecting quality. Tiffany & Co. has some very high expectations for its diamonds. 

They should sparkle exceptionally, and should be clear to your naked eye. The settings going to hold them will be just as perfect - uniform, clear, and precisely made to hold the gem firmly without any evidence of glue or sloppy metal work. 

On a fake piece, the stones will probably be cubic zirconia or low-quality crystals, and they won't have the fiery quality of a diamond. The settings may look clumsy or uneven, or bulky. 

When thinking of how to spot fake Tiffany jewelry, the stones are often the best place to see the difference in quality.

A Note on "Inspired" Jewelry

You will see sellers claiming, "Tiffany inspired jewelry wholesale." This is a gray area. "Inspired" pieces aren't illegal as long as they do not use the Tiffany name or logos, but they are often created as a way to mislead buyers who are looking for the real thing. 

These pieces will not be made with the quality, hallmarks, and craftsmanship of a real piece. The best advice is to avoid them and focus your searches on authenticated pieces.

Your Best Defense: Buy Smart and Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, the best way to ensure you are not disappointed is to be an informed consumer. By knowing how to spot a fake Tiffany necklace, you are well ahead of the game. Look for weight, look at the links, look at the hallmarks, and do not be fooled by the packaging. If it appears too good to be true, it probably is.

If you want to guarantee that you are adding the real thing to your collection, your best option is always a Tiffany & Co. retailer or a highly trusted and vetted resale retailer. When you trust your own research and finally feel ready to buy jewelry items, a source that stands behind the authenticity of its items is invaluable. 

Trust your gut! A real Tiffany & Co. necklace is an investment in timeless style and unrivaled quality, and now you know better to ensure that you have exactly that.