How to tell the Tiffany’s items you are interested in are genuine could be very tricky. The key is to compare, compare and compare! Genuine Tiffany's items usually come from the independent seller, eBay consigner, or estate auctioneer.  There is no such thing as a "Tiffany Outlet." So never buy from seller who are selling 5 or more pieces at the same time. Also being the most renowned jewelry maker, Tiffany does not do OEM in any other country.

Below summarizes some of the key differences between the real object and the fake object (obviously I am not including all of the differences as it would make it too easy for these fraudsters to manufacture fakes even closer to the real thing).

Comparison of real and fake Tiffany & Co. Jewelry

• Material

Fake: Material Mostly is made by copper wrapped with thin layer of silver. It is a lot lighter than the real 925 sterling silver item. Ask the seller how heavy his item is. 

Real: Sterling silver weights way heavier than copper. Check Tiffany.com for weight. Tiffany specifies weight for a lot of items. If not, give them a call to find it out.

• Finish

Fake:  Many of the replicas are done with a platinum rhodium finish. This finish has a too-good-to-be-real finish and brilliance. It is a tinge whiter than genuine sterling silver. 

Real: Sterling silver with high quality finish. You would get the feeling when you go to the Tiffany store and watch authentic items.

• Stamps 

Fake: Do not be fooled by someone who says that they have an authentic "unsigned" Tiffany & Co piece of jewelry. All Tiffany's jewelry is stamped and marked somewhere on every piece.

Real: Compare the markings on the piece being sold to make sure they match the pictures on the Tiffany's web site.  Or if you can't find a signature to compare it to there, call a Tiffany's retailer and ask them what the markings should look like and where they should be located. All items will be stamped and / or signed and marked with the appropriate metal signature (i.e. 925 for sterling silver). 

• Silver Care Card

Fake: Poor quality printing. Kerning of fonts is irregular, and text on back is completely different to real version. 

Real: Matt finish, printing is of high quality with correct kerning.

• Gift Box  

Fake: Turquoise in color, similar in texture to the real one. Quality of construction is not quite as good as real one.  

Real: Turquoise in color, similar in texture to the fake one. Generally better quality of construction than the fake.

• Pouch/Bag

Fake: Small drawstring bag made from felt or a cheap stiff felt like material. 

Real: In the style of a small 2-compartment purse made from turquoise suede. Presented with the pendant placed in one half of the purse with the chain draped over the divider and the remainder of the chain in the other compartment (presumably to help prevent scratches on the pendant). A high quality soft velvet easily pliable

• Pendant 

Fake: Engraving in wrong place on heart. More scratched/tarnished than real version. Fonts are different from real version.  

Real: Cleaner silver than fake with less wear.

• Chain

Fake: Poor quality soldering. Areas around the clasp are completely different to the real version with the rings that attach to the clasps being of irregular shapes.  

Real: High quality chain. Clasp is of quality manufacture and rings that attach to the clasp are of a regular circular shape.

More tips:

1.  Ask for real photos of the items.  Make sure the photos are clear and close-up enough to show adequate detail or any flaws.  You can be the judge in determining how minor or small the flaw is. Do not rely on the pictures that are borrowed from the Tiffany & Co. website completely. If so, you really do not know what you are buying. 

2.  Look at the seller and check feedbacks.  Stay away from new sellers who have lots of Tiffany jewelry for sale at cheap prices. There is always such story that "friend’s friend" who has a Tiffany & Co employee discount.  Honestly think about this for a moment:  Who would buy 50 different pieces of Tiffany's jewelry even with employee discount?

3.  Receipts are not a guarantee of authenticity.  It is very easy to make a fake receipt.  There are computer programs and fake receipt makers out there to help the crook along.  In addition, many sellers who provide the receipt with the purchase are only providing a copy of the receipt as to avoid identity theft.

4.  Compare the item with the Tiffany & Co. website.  Go to the Tiffany's web site and view their picture of the item you are interested in and compare it to the one being sold.