How to buy auth. Tiffany Jewelry

By: John Smith

1. Tiffany NEVER goes on sale, they DON'T have an outlet store, and you can't get things "wholesale". Tiffany also DOES NOT have a factory in China, nor do they buy from China. All their jewelry is made in the US. There were some exceptions in the 1970's with Elsa Peretti's line, but that's it. Therefore, when you see a seller with numerous "NEW" Tiffany items, BEWARE!!

2/08/09-Following is an email I recently received from an ebayer after I reported his listing for selling fake tiffany (it was removed). He knew who I was because I also emailed him and told him I was reporting him for a fraudulent listing:

Dear yvonne9903,

I see you were concerned about my Tiffany bracelet listing. Fact of the matter is we (30 ebayers) make purchases of 100 or more at a wholesale price straight from a distributer in Hong Kong. If you worked at Tiffany's you wold know that everything they sell is jacked up to 2-3 times after it arrives to uphold their reputation and pay their employees very well. They make alot of profit. As for myself and the others, we make between $10-$20 per item.

-kissmyvett

Bull. Funny thing is, when I emailed his past buyers to let them know their items were fake, one buyer told me he'd claimed the ring he sold her (a knockoff Tiffany Somerset heart ring) had been "specially made" for his girlfriend! He also claimed that it was the wrong size but because it was custom made, he couldn't return it! So STEER CLEAR OF THIS SELLER!!

2. The links on any tiffany tag bracelet or tag necklace are NOT pinched together, they are soldered together and very smooth. You almost can't tell where the link begins or ends.

3. The lobster clasp on a Tiffany bracelet or necklace will show EXCELLENT workmanship, if it looks like it's a cheapie, it's not Tiffany. In fact, the entire piece should be heavy and feel SOLID in your hand. Also, here's a little secret, the lobster clasp will ALSO be stamped 925, at the base of the clasp.

4. EVERY Tiffany piece is stamped with the Tiffany & Co. mark and the metal mark (e.g. Tiffany & Co. 925, or T & Co. 925) Many pieces are stamped with the date the piece was trademarked, the Tiffany logo, and the metal content, in that order (e.g. 2001 Tiffany & Co. 925). The pieces by artists such as Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, Frank Gehry etc, will be signed as well as stamped. When buying a piece that has a chain and pendant (e.g. the Tiffany bar pendant) BOTH the pendant AND the chain will be marked Tiffany & Co 925. If the chain is marked but not the pendant, then that pendant IS NOT Tiffany! If the seller hasn't shown the markings in their photos, either ask for additional photos or don't bid.

5. Tiffany tag bracelets and necklaces are made of .925 sterling silver, and are heavy, if your jewelry feels light in comparison to it's size, beware. Also, Tiffany sterling jewelry will photograph dark silver and even gold colored sometimes, not pure silver or silver-white. There are alot of people out there selling fake Tiffany that's been coated with Rhodium, which gives it a whitish appearance.