How to Spot Fake Vintage Costume Jewelry
Reproductions of Antique Pieces are Commonly Sold as the Real Thing
The vintage costume jewelry market is flooded with fakes masquerading as the real thing. Fakes are both signed and unsigned and it can be very difficult to tell the difference between reproductions and original pieces.
The best thing to do is to educate oneself. Reference books such as Judith Miller’s Costume Jewelry: The Complete Visual Reference and Price Guide, vintage ads, trusted websites, and the like should be studied. One should familiarize oneself with designs, colour combos, and signatures.
Buyers should try to learn how specific designers made their pieces – it will help one spot fakes quickly. For example, a Weiss Maltese cross brooch with rhinestones that are glued is an obvious fake because Weiss always prong-set their stones. Yet these fakes are often sold to unknowing buyers who think they’re getting the real thing.
Antique Dealers and Sellers
Go to local antique shows and get to know dealers. Many are happy to discuss their wares and share whatever information they have with newbie collectors. Do research about dealers as well as designers and only do business with those who are reputable. Not all dealers sell fakes on purpose. There are many who do it without even knowing, which is why one should only deal with established dealers who have earned good reputations.
If buying online, buyers should do everything they can to protect themselves. Make sure sellers have a good return policy. It’s not uncommon to get something home only to find out that it’s a fake. If using an Internet auction site, make sure the seller has received a lot of positive feedback as well.
Expensive Fakes
Fakes exist at both ends of the market, but it’s more common to see them at the higher end. Buyers who are not familiar with pieces and don’t yet have a well-trained eye should avoid buying expensive pieces. If pieces from some of the more famous designers are found at low prices, they are likely fakes. Trifari Jelly Belly pins, Coro angel fish pins, Boucher grasshoppers, and countless others are all being copied and sold at high prices.
Vintage Fakes
Ironically, fakes are also often vintage. They were created around the same time as the original pieces. For buyers who simply like the look of a piece and aren’t concerned about the provenance, they are a fine option. Many of the companies who made the fakes are no longer in business, so there’s no huge concern about supporting fraudulent practices. However, anyone who is a real collector, or who values the craftsmanship of designer vintage pieces, needs to be cautious.
In particular, anyone who is interested in selling vintage costume jewelry needs to be educated and informed about any and all pieces they are selling. Not only is it bad to unknowingly purchase fakes, it is even more terrible to unknowingly sell them. Keep yourself and your buyers protected through education and knowledge.
A lovely but fake designer piece
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