Investing in a piece of jewelry, especially if it is a brand name in Bay Area, you need to be very cautious. There are many fake jewelry pieces in the market, and some have done the forgery so well that differentiating them from the real ones becomes hard. So, the next time you go out jewelry shopping, follow these tips to avoid getting a fake one.
To start with, always ask questions regarding the piece of jewelry. Most of the time, when the deal with jewelry sounds too good to be true, it is probably a scam. Hence you first need to check the seller’s authenticity before checking the jewelry. Once you read about the store’s review and the seller’s reputation, you only ask about the jewelry. If it is a brand name, ask if they can provide certification and documentation to prove that. Authentic sellers of pre-owned branded jewelry will be happy to do so. They will sometimes also give you the original boxes the jewelry came in. if the seller cannot provide one, then take a picture of the jewelry and do a Google search. If you are still looking for the exact model from that brand, then chances are, that piece of jewelry is fake.
Secondly, you need to check the quality of the jewelry and the hallmarks in the jewelry if it is made of Gold, Silver, or palladium. If made after 1973, this jewelry must come with hallmark symbols, each symbol standing for the purity of the metal. This stamp should be present on the jewelry documents or certificates and on the jewelry itself. The shop you are shopping in should help you see the brand, which is often very small. If the store needs to be helping you, check other stores.
The last thing to remember when you want to buy authentic brand-name jewelry in Bay Area is to do some little tests. These tests will help you know if the diamond in the jewelry is real and if the gold jewelry is really made of gold. For testing diamonds, do a fog test. Just breathe hot air on the diamond jewelry. If it fogs up, then it is not a real diamond. Similarly, place a magnet near silver or gold jewelry. If the magnet attracts the piece of jewelry, it means it has more iron than gold or silver.