Hello, everyone, on this is a collaboration post and I hope you enjoy this article.
Jewelry remains in high demand since many people buy them as accessories or gifts. Statista data estimates that the US jewelry market was worth around $36.77 billion in 2018. However, fake jewelry is now on the rise, with several knockoff pieces that appear even better than the real thing. Therefore, buyers must be aware of how to spot fake ones and avoid wasting money. If you want to know more about protecting yourself from counterfeit jewelry purchases, please take a look at these points.
- Avoid pieces that are too good to be true
Many experienced jewelers give buyers a piece of standard advice to avoid ornaments that are too good to be true. This suggestion is because if it seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Therefore, always be cautious when you come across necklaces, watches, earrings, and other jewelry claiming genuine or designer pieces going for bargain prices. You can check the recommended retail prices (RRP) of these pieces to be sure. In jewelry buying, huge discounts are rare, so generally, be wary of pieces with unnaturally low prices.
- Get a second opinion
Second opinions are essential when purchasing jewelry, so get an expert’s thoughts on your purchased piece’s quality and authenticity. Thankfully, there are about 19,800 jewelry stores in the country, so you can always locate a reputed jeweler to ascertain your piece’s authenticity. Pawnshops and professional appraisers also exist for obtaining second opinions on purchased jewelry so that you can try these avenues. Finally, reputed jewelry enthusiasts can also help you tell whether your piece is fake or not. Some of these experts can even help with general jewelry tips, like a 2 carat diamond guide to assist you when securing engagement rings, so they’re worth reaching out to for professional scrutiny.
- Consider the return policy
Return policies are popular with both online and brick-and-mortar stores, having the customer’s best interest at heart. Retailers create these rules to manage how clients return and exchange merchandise they purchased. A return policy specifies what items you can return, acceptable reasons for bringing back purchased merchandise, and the time within which you can bring them back. Many jewelry items, especially those available online, come with at least a two-week standard period within which you can return the piece if you have any issues. As such, any outlet that has a zero returns policy is a huge red flag that you should steer clear of to avoid ending up with fake items and wasted cash.
- Test the metal
A wide range of physical tests can determine whether or not jewelry pieces are genuine, so they’re worth knowing. The magnet test is a primary way to test for originality, and you can do this with the help of a standard magnet. Silver and gold aren’t magnetic, so any pieces that stick to a magnet are fake. Additionally, you can use a fog test to spot fake diamonds by exhaling hot air onto the stone, which should not fog up if it’s real.
Finally, a skin test can also help you notice knockoffs. Genuine gold and silver don’t react with the skin, so you should avoid buying gold or silver jewelry if you experience irritations while trying them on.
Leave a Reply