This guide will help you spot fake and imitation Native American jewelry.  There are many honest sellers of Native American Jewelry on ebay, there are also many who sell FAKE or imitation Native American jewelry and, if you don't know what to look for, it's often hard to tell the difference.  Here is a starting place in your education, with some tips on how to spot Asian, Phillippine, Chinese and US made imitation/fake Native American jewelry.

1. Look for a disclaimer in the item description.  It may say something like - All of our jewelry is made in the Phillippines (or Taiwan, China, etc.)-.  These are the easy ones, because the seller is being honest, though you may have to read the fine print to find out.
2. Look for imitation items mixed in with genuine Native American pieces.  Some sellers dilute their item listings (and increase their profits) by selling some genuine Native American made jewelry and even more fake/imitation Native American jewelry.   You can identify the fakes because usually there won't be a COA (certificate of authenticity) offered on them.
3. Look for a .925 stamp on new items.  Native American silversmiths usually stamp their Sterling Silver jewelry with a stamp that says - Sterling.  If  it is stamped .925, it is less likely to be Native American because the traditional stamps say Sterling.  Finding pieces stamped .925 is often a tipoff that it came from outside the US, or is not Native American made.  Older, genuine vintage Native American jewelry will often have no hallmark or stamp of any kind.
   
4. Look for imitation turquoise and the word - block - when used to describe the turquoise, coral or other gems. .   Carefully read listing descriptions.  The reference to block or man-made turquoise, coral and other gemstones, means the stones are imitation. Most Native American artists use genuine turquoise and coral, etc.  So-called Zuni inlay pieces, actually from the Phillippines and made of block/imitation stone, like the ones shown in the pictures above, are abundant on ebay.
5. Look for fakes/imitations being sold with Old or Dead Pawn tickets.  An Old Pawn or Dead Pawn ticket is no guarantee of authenticity.  Many Asian-made imitations are sold this way. Again, these pieces usually do not come with COA - Certificates of Authenticity.
   
6. Read the seller's feedback comments.  Over time, buyers will let you know exactly what the seller is offering on ebay.
   
7. Communicate with the seller, ask them about the country of origin of the jewelry they're selling.

There are some great bargains in Native American Indian jewelry on ebay and there are many imitations.

Genuine Native American jewelry is beautiful, a joy to own and to wear, and highly collictible, whether contemporary, vintage or antique.  The history and traditions behind it are unique and truly American, well worth a little time spent to verify its authenticity.