I'm thinking of buying a ring off eBay and it doesn't come with Cartier certificate so I want to make sure it's authentic (although I know certificates can be forged too). If I bring the ring in for polishing and it's not authentic, would they automatically inspect it and if it's not real, they would tell me? If they go ahead and polish it, can I be assured it's authentic? TIA!
Will Cartier authenticate?
- Thread starter vagabag
- Start date
Sadly, Cartier does not authenticate.
Unlike Tiffany & Co., who unofficially authenticate by refusing to clean and/or repair an item that is not authentic... Cartier will not inform the owner as to whether or not their piece is authentic.
When purchasing Cartier, it's best to know who you're buying from and purchase only from sellers you trust to carry authentic items.
Unlike Tiffany & Co., who unofficially authenticate by refusing to clean and/or repair an item that is not authentic... Cartier will not inform the owner as to whether or not their piece is authentic.
When purchasing Cartier, it's best to know who you're buying from and purchase only from sellers you trust to carry authentic items.
Thanks so much for your reply! So, if I bring my item to Cartier for polishing, they will go ahead and do it even if it's not authentic? That just sounds odd to me.
Cartier charges for their services. As far as I am aware, as long as the piece appears to be Cartier and you're willing to pay for their services, they'll more than likely oblige your request to polish the item you bring in. And they usually need to send the item away to have it cleaned/polished/repaired. It often takes a while. Cartier is never in a hurry, in my experience.
I would suggest getting friendly with a sales associate and asking them what they think of your piece... just to gauge their reaction...
But yes, I do believe that Cartier would polish an authentic-looking replica, as they don't bother authenticating.
wow, i'm really surprised they would polish/repair a fake item. if jewelry is anything like bags, then I don't trust the SA since there are so many good fakes out there. I am so disappointed as I really wanted to get this ring but I don't think I can live with the uncertainty of not knowing if it's the real thing. Thanks so much again for the info!
I wonder if you claimed that you lost the certificate of authenticity, if they would take a look at the piece and give you a new certificate, thereby authenticating it for you? I can't believe they wouldn't reissue you a certificate that you claimed you lost! (for a small fee off course)
that's a great idea! at least I can show the ring to them and see if i get some sort of reaction to its authenticity. thanks!!!
I doubt very much that they would polish if it was fake & they would know straight away......I heard from the jewellers who I buy my watches from who are an AD for Cartier watches that they have had customers send off cartier watches that turned out to be fake & Cartier returned the watch all smashed up.......they don't want fake items on the market......They also won't repair or service a watch or piece of jewellery that has had after market work done....like for instance diamonds set on a watch bezel by an independent jeweller but what they do is put the watch or jewellery back to how it was originally & send you the bill.
I personally would only buy direct from Cartier or from a jeweller who specialises in pre owned Cartier.
I personally would only buy direct from Cartier or from a jeweller who specialises in pre owned Cartier.
Wow! I've never heard of Cartier returning unauthentic items "all smashed up". That's actually illegal. Cartier would then be responsible for the replacement value and, unless they can prove that the item wasn't authentic -- without a doubt -- they would then have to replace the item with what the customer claimed to have sent for repair.
I do agree that Cartier won't accept items that have been altered by a jeweler other than those authorized/employed by Cartier. They will, however, bill you for the time they spent determining that the item had been altered and that there is no note of it in their service records.
Again, I would only purchase from a Cartier boutique, an authorized Cartier dealer, or someone who you know for a fact sells only authentic pieces.
This is a great idea! I would definitely try this! The only problem I could see is if the original purchaser's name is in their computer and your details don't match... but then the piece would have had to have been purchased fairly recently. Otherwise, I don't see a problem in requesting that a new certificate be issued for your item. The fee would be worth having documentation!
I'm only saying what the AD told me I'm not speaking from experience because I've only ever bought from AD or the Cartier boutique......I'm sure they would have proof enough & know 100% if an item of there's is indeed fake but yes I must admit I was surprised when the jeweller told me this.
I was also told of a customer that had a fake Rolex which was sent to Rolex & they did the same & that was a different jeweller but maybe the law is different here in the UK but yes I do agree it seems very unfair & why not just send an item back if it turns out to be fake.
I just received my Cartier Tank Watch back from Cartier US, with a statement that it is a fake ( which it is not) and that they can not repair or restore that item.
The watch is from midcentury and I doubt that anyone in Texas is capable of authenticating an item like that, since they do not have the records, especially since the item was purchased in Europe, at a Cartier store in Paris along time ago.
Too bad I do not have the original sales receipt of that .
Another watch just like it (identical) is listed on chrono 24 as authentic and certified.
Now I need to find a reputable watch restoration service that can help me, since Cartier refuses to work on said item.
I think they can't do the work since it will require some expertise that goes beyond switching out parts , that are no longer available.
Anyone with an idea who to turn to?
The watch is from midcentury and I doubt that anyone in Texas is capable of authenticating an item like that, since they do not have the records, especially since the item was purchased in Europe, at a Cartier store in Paris along time ago.
Too bad I do not have the original sales receipt of that .
Another watch just like it (identical) is listed on chrono 24 as authentic and certified.
Now I need to find a reputable watch restoration service that can help me, since Cartier refuses to work on said item.
I think they can't do the work since it will require some expertise that goes beyond switching out parts , that are no longer available.
Anyone with an idea who to turn to?
My Cartier SA told me before that one of her clients bought a Cartier vintage watch with diamonds from a reputable source. However, she had to have something repaired. When she brought it in, the staff discovered that some of the diamonds, although real and beautifully designed, were put in by another jewelry designer post-sale. While it is not a fake Cartier, having it altered made it ineligible to be repaired by them. Could that be the case of your Cartier watch too? Just wondering. Hope you find someone that could help you with the restoration of your watch soon.
HI Showgratitude
Thanks or the reply.
I thought about that possibility in the beginning too, but when I talked to the ambassador that explained to me that the" case is not correct and the hands are wrong and the glass is fake etc.", it struck me that it is much more like it , that they are not able or capable of restoring that timepiece since it is an antique and from the 20's.They do not have any more parts for this in the warehouse, so they call it a fake instead of admitting not being able to work on it.There is nothing wrong with the watch its just that it needs a touch up on the dial face where the paint is deteriorating, ( which is typical for the tank from the 20"s.)
I will have the watch assessed by Cartier in Paris or Frankfurt since I have more faith in the craftsmen in Europe then in this country.
Thanks or the reply.
I thought about that possibility in the beginning too, but when I talked to the ambassador that explained to me that the" case is not correct and the hands are wrong and the glass is fake etc.", it struck me that it is much more like it , that they are not able or capable of restoring that timepiece since it is an antique and from the 20's.They do not have any more parts for this in the warehouse, so they call it a fake instead of admitting not being able to work on it.There is nothing wrong with the watch its just that it needs a touch up on the dial face where the paint is deteriorating, ( which is typical for the tank from the 20"s.)
I will have the watch assessed by Cartier in Paris or Frankfurt since I have more faith in the craftsmen in Europe then in this country.