Real or Not? Tiffany Lovers... A little help, please?

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#16
PeacefulMommy said:
It was my first... and trust me, my LAST... time purchasing "Tiffany & Co." on eBay. Or any designer piece, for that matter.

And this, ladies, is exactly why I purchase only from a Tiffany & Co. store, or the official Tiffany & Co. website... I only made the exception because the MOM necklace is retired and unavailable through Tiffany & Co..

And now I have to hunt down another - GENUINE - one.
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Wow, sorry that you had to go through all that. I saw this same necklace and was very interested in it too. I didn't get it because I didn't think Tiffany made the chain like that. I thought the chain should be the regular Tiffany chain...thank goodness, I didn't order it.
Thanks for sharing the story with us, so we can be more careful on ebay!
 
#17
LuvAllLV said:
Wow, sorry that you had to go through all that. I saw this same necklace and was very interested in it too. I didn't get it because I didn't think Tiffany made the chain like that. I thought the chain should be the regular Tiffany chain...thank goodness, I didn't order it.
Thanks for sharing the story with us, so we can be more careful on ebay!
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Oddly enough... the design of the chain is correct for this piece, and the overall piece (chain included) was a very convincing fake!

Glad you managed to stay away!
 
#18
I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience your first time purchasing pre-owned Tiffany from ebay, but I wouldn't despair and I wouldn't let it stop you from future deals. I've had really positive experiences and most of my T&co bracelets are from ebay. For Sterling Silver, I just can't justify paying full price and I've had all of my ebay purchases authenticated by Tiffany. Here's what I look for: I obviously look for a top rating and I stay away from any sellers outside the US (it makes shipping and returns easier for me and I see a TON of fakes on ebay shipping from Japan. I'm definitely not saying that international sellers are all selling fakes, but this just helps me narrow it down and then I don't have to pay international shipping if I do have to return it). I generally stay away from big sellers or ebay stores who are listing lots of items all at once and try to buy from people who are selling from their personal collection. If they are selling multiples of any items, that is a huge red flag for me and I stay away. I also prefer when they show close up pictures of the Hallmarks. Ebay has a strong stance against counterfeit (besides it being illegal in this country) and they will refund any purchase that isn't "as described", which counterfeit definitely is.
 
#19
Fioratura said:
I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience your first time purchasing pre-owned Tiffany from ebay, but I wouldn't despair and I wouldn't let it stop you from future deals. I've had really positive experiences and most of my T&co bracelets are from ebay. For Sterling Silver, I just can't justify paying full price and I've had all of my ebay purchases authenticated by Tiffany. Here's what I look for: I obviously look for a top rating and I stay away from any sellers outside the US (it makes shipping and returns easier for me and I see a TON of fakes on ebay shipping from Japan. I'm definitely not saying that international sellers are all selling fakes, but this just helps me narrow it down and then I don't have to pay international shipping if I do have to return it). I generally stay away from big sellers or ebay stores who are listing lots of items all at once and try to buy from people who are selling from their personal collection. If they are selling multiples of any items, that is a huge red flag for me and I stay away. I also prefer when they show close up pictures of the Hallmarks. Ebay has a strong stance against counterfeit (besides it being illegal in this country) and they will refund any purchase that isn't "as described", which counterfeit definitely is.
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Thank you for all of the eBay buying tips! I have the feeling that I will still be LOOKING on eBay for this piece... but I'll be wary of purchasing.

I did manage to find the "LOVE" version of this necklace on eBay... but I don't know if it's genuine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121311400047?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649




I'm also considering having my own jeweler make their own version of this... That way, I can be 100% certain of the materials and where the item is coming from! The only drawback is that they will only produce it in gold or platinum... not silver... because the cost of the materials and the sale price for the item wouldn't be worth the labor and CG imaging / mould making to create the piece (especially since it's not likely they would use the image/mould again).
 
#21
PeacefulMommy said:
Thank you for all of the eBay buying tips! I have the feeling that I will still be LOOKING on eBay for this piece... but I'll be wary of purchasing.

I did manage to find the "LOVE" version of this necklace on eBay... but I don't know if it's genuine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121311400047?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649



Hi PeacefulMommy,

I don't think that this necklace is authentic. I don't own any Tiffany silver (just gold and platinum), but none of my Tiffany pieces have the stamp "Italy" next to PT950 or AU750...I'm not sure if silver is different, or if Tiffany stamped "Italy" in the past, but I would suggest against purchasing this item...Any other inputs out there?

Also, the description says that the item is "brand new," which, if it is a retired piece, I highly doubt that...
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#22
azniceskater1 said:
PeacefulMommy said:
Thank you for all of the eBay buying tips! I have the feeling that I will still be LOOKING on eBay for this piece... but I'll be wary of purchasing.

I did manage to find the "LOVE" version of this necklace on eBay... but I don't know if it's genuine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121311400047?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649



Hi PeacefulMommy,

I don't think that this necklace is authentic. I don't own any Tiffany silver (just gold and platinum), but none of my Tiffany pieces have the stamp "Italy" next to PT950 or AU750...I'm not sure if silver is different, or if Tiffany stamped "Italy" in the past, but I would suggest against purchasing this item...Any other inputs out there?

Also, the description says that the item is "brand new," which, if it is a retired piece, I highly doubt that...
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Hi, azniceskater1! Thank you for that. This particular Tiffany piece (the ERA necklaces with blocks) were made in Italy and had a special chain of elongated, squared cable links. The Italy stamp isn't what is throwing me off...

I've communicated with this seller, and they're very vague (which is almost as bad as a seller who has an answer for everything because they've carefully created their story). They tell me that they purchased this and never wore it, and that the receipt was lost when they moved from their old apartment into the home where they are currently living. When I asked for better photos, they said that they would try and then put up the last few close-up photos on the listing.

I can't tell whether it's genuine or not, so I'm staying away. It's just easier for me that way.
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#25
You're welcome!

According to the tracking information provided by USPS, the fake necklace was delivered to the seller yesterday around noon.

I'm still waiting for my refund... although I see that the seller is still adding more fake Tiffany to their list of items for sale...
 
#27
So sorry this ended up being a fake - apologize for the late response re: your request to post photos in your other thread of my LOVE necklace - we were away last week and I didn't have that particular necklace with me (I rarely travel with items that I know if I happen to lose cannot be easily replaced). In reading through the thread, this (and the others you referenced) certainly are convincing fakes. The one thing I noticed in the photos and on ebay links you referenced is that the necklace looks much shinier than mine, perhaps that is the plating? I do clean mine, but it never gets "that" shiny. The outside of the beads shine up nicely, but the inside, where they touch and rub together isn't as shiny. Also, was yours 18"? The majority of Tiffany necklaces come with a 16" chain, but this one happens to be 18". Wish they would make more with the type of chain that comes with this piece, it is quite sturdy and smooth.

I hope you are able to locate one with a reputable seller. Best of luck!
 
#28
razl62 said:
So sorry this ended up being a fake - apologize for the late response re: your request to post photos in your other thread of my LOVE necklace - we were away last week and I didn't have that particular necklace with me (I rarely travel with items that I know if I happen to lose cannot be easily replaced). In reading through the thread, this (and the others you referenced) certainly are convincing fakes. The one thing I noticed in the photos and on ebay links you referenced is that the necklace looks much shinier than mine, perhaps that is the plating? I do clean mine, but it never gets "that" shiny. The outside of the beads shine up nicely, but the inside, where they touch and rub together isn't as shiny. Also, was yours 18"? The majority of Tiffany necklaces come with a 16" chain, but this one happens to be 18". Wish they would make more with the type of chain that comes with this piece, it is quite sturdy and smooth.

I hope you are able to locate one with a reputable seller. Best of luck!
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Hi, there!!! :wave:

Not a problem at all. :smile1: I know that not everyone sees all of the posts directed to them here, so they aren't always able to reply.

I don't blame you about not traveling with items that are not easily replaced! I usually leave all of my valuable jewelry at home when traveling, and opt for less expensive or costume pieces that are more easily replaced if lost/stolen.

And yes... I do have a talent for finding very convincing fakes, don't I?! (Not a good thing, especially when I'm shopping for genuine Tiffany & Co.!)

The fakes I keep coming across are super-shiny. This may be the rhodium plating. In my experience, Tiffany & Co. starts off super-shiny, but very quickly develops tarnishing and light surface scratches (especially if you continuously attempt to polish out the tarnishing or flaws) that become a nice patina over time. These fakes looked far too shiny for pieces that were retired a year ago.

I'm still hoping to come across a genuine necklace!
 
#30
omg!! such horrible fakes! So sorry this happened to you! I have sold Tiffany on eBay before and you almost literally have to post the receipt with detailed information and I did just that. Those listing are off too because Tiffany doesn't have tags on their items like that. This just burns me up!!
 
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