Not everyone can spot the fakes just by looking at the pics.  To narrow the field I'm speaking of, let's talk about WEISS.  There are many brooches on ebay that are "fakes" in the general sense of the word.  Are the items worth the prices?  How do I know if it's a fake?  If I like it and know it's fake, is it ok to buy it?  Or will it lower the value of my real stuff? 

 

 

 

This is simple.  Check the usual words like "Vintage Weiss Pin."  (or Brooch)  Are there several different sellers that have the same mint condition pin and also in several different available colors?  Does it have an antiqued base metal color?  Does the description say "like new" or "never worn?"  Does it look brand-spankin' new?  Well, then it probably is and is most likely a fake.  The general Weiss repros are Christmas trees, leaf-shaped, 6-rounded-point stars, the fish, Maltese cross, Christmas horns of plenty, Christmas stockings, etc.  

 

 

 

 

 

I personally detest those that knowingly mislead the buyer into believing these pins are VINTAGE Weiss, meaning created and sold by the Weiss Company in the 50's-70's.  However, keep one thing in mind.  It's well known not every seller knows what they have.  And it's quite possible an only son is just selling the contents of "Mom's jewelry box" due to her passing away.  Some folks do their research by looking at eBay closed auctions alone.  He finds that Weiss is a vintage maker, finds the same pin, and may assume it's an authentic piece.

 

Also, some sellers are not as familiar with their items as they should be.  They may have been duped by another dishonest person that sold them fakes as "old store stock."  Usually it is accompanied by a story of some warehouse or jewelry store that was closed for decades....blah blah blah.  The duped buyer becomes a re-seller and has no reason to believe he has been lied to. 

 

There sometimes *are* occasions of old-inventory, but if the person has a case full of hundreds, especially if they are in plastic ziplock bags, it causes suspicion and a reason for a "I wasn't born yesterday" look.   

 

 

 

Most of the fakes are beautiful in and of themselves.  They often use original vintage Weiss stones, and the metalwork bases are sometimes made from original molds, or are bases that had never been finished.  Stones are applied with glue, but carefully.  No sloppy glue residue.  The stones are vibrant and flashy.  None are dull, dark, dead, yellow, cloudy, or otherwise imperfect. 

 

The pieces I have personally come into contact with (several, several dozens) are quite lovely and equally well-made using quality materials.  They were exquisite.  Fake or not, they were well worth the $25/a piece price the dealer was asking for them.  (Refer to photos above.  100% fake Weiss pieces from my personal collection.  Photos are property of fant-impromptu-iv.)

 

 

 

Most of these "fakes" are worth the prices they are commanding.  Joan Rivers jewelry goes for sometimes $100-200+ for a nice large brooch.  The knock-offs are also as beautiful and well made (sometimes better), and not anywhere near that investment. 

 

If the price seems too good to be true for a real signed vintage Weiss piece, more often than not, it's a fake.  But ask yourself, "Would I pay this price for a gorgeous store-bought brooch?"  If the answer is yes, then buy it.  Do not buy because something has a "Weiss" cartouche slapped on the back of the piece, or is advertised as Vintage.  Buy based on quality.  And buy it because you LOVE IT. 

 

 

 

This is complicated to answer.  Yes and no.  Maybe, maybe not.  There are a few different points of view.  Some eBay members believe by all the fakes entering the market and going for low bids ($10-30) that real Weiss pieces are being "down-played" and thus not being bid-up as high.  Most of the anger usually stems from a duped buyer that finds out the piece is fake and is irate at the outrageous price they bid and paid for the item.  The key to avoiding this, is BE AN INFORMED BUYER!  Get jewelry books, read reviews, ask questions, etc!

 

In my personal experience, however, the couple dozen authentic vintage Weiss brooches I have sold in the past 3 years have sold for appropriate amounts on eBay.  ($100-375, depending on size/condition.)  The majority of Weiss (brand specific) bidders are well educated in what's real and what's not, know the differences, ask questions, and pay accordingly.

 

If you want to bid on something you think could be fake, just check the seller's return policy.  If they have a no questions asked return policy, no harm - no foul.  If it's no returns never-ever-ever, look for it elsewhere, or ask many questions!  Ask if they have an appraisal statement, or if they could have it authenticated.  (If you get rude and irate responses, the seller probably *knows* it's a fake, and run away!) 

 

Another great suggestion is view community boards regarding vintage jewelry and fakes, and ask someone to advise you.  If you're a new collector, really seek some reference material before putting in a proxy of $300 or hitting "BUY-IT-NOW!"

 

 

 

Fakes *can* be made of real vintage Weiss components, but assembled in the contemporary time period.  They can be worth their asking price, and may not lower the value of your real Weiss pieces.  Don't feel that buying a fake makes you an accomplice in organized crime.  Just make sure you only pay what their quality commands.  Eventually, even they will become vintage, and may become a collectible in their own right!