Making sure that your jewellery is real and that you are paying the right price for a piece of jewellery is a common anxiety for many people. We have assembled seven special steps that you can undertake to ensure that your new designer piece is GUCCI as opposed to Gucki.
Number One - Question, question, question
If you think that it is too good to be true, then the chances are that it probably is. If you are worried about the seller being reputable, then you should always check the RRP on other sites, just for clarification and ease of mind. If the price is at a similar level on other websites, then you can move onto the next step.
Is it a reputable seller? Thousands of people have been caught out online when
purchasing items on sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace. So to be sure, always check the reputability of a site. Here at Berry’s, we are proud to hold a 4.9 Google Customer Review rating as well as over 900 customer reviews on Reviews.io which you can check out. We don’t like to blow our own trumpet, but we are pretty spectacular. Another sign which a seller may not be reputable is their returns policy. If an item is not returnable, then you should be questioning whether or not it is a purchase that you should be making. Here at Berry’s, if you purchase an item online, you have up to 14 days to return the jewellery. 
Number Two - Check the Hallmark
In the UK, any jewellery which is sold as platinum, gold silver or palladium is legally required to be hallmarked by the Hallmarking Act of 1973. Official hallmarking guarantees the standard and purity of the metal which you are purchasing. Hallmarks differ depending on the piece which you are buying and the local office. If you are wanting to find out more about hallmarking, then you should check out the International Association of Assay Offices. Some common hallmarks Gold hallmarks - 375, 500, 583, 585, 750, 916, 958, 999 Silver hallmarks - 800, 830, 875, 925, 960, 999 Platinum hallmarks - 850, 900, 950, 999
Number Three - Branding is key
Counterfeit jewellery items sometimes have fake hallmarks on them, so it is essential to check the branding of the product which you are buying. If you are purchasing a designer item from a high-end brand, then you should always check that the fonts, colours and spellings of the packaging are all consistent with the designer's work. This will ensure another layer of protection that you are purchasing genuine goods.
Number Four - Certification and Documentation
You may have seen it across our website, but what exactly is GIA or a GIA Certified piece of jewellery? We have a wide range of GIA Certified Diamond Engagement Rings available on our site, which means that your piece of jewellery is documented and certified. The authenticity of the piece is proved by these documents, and you will more than likely be required to show the documentation if you ever decide to sell your jewellery. Other notable documents that you should check for with your jewellery is the manufacturer details, care tips and cleaning instructions that come with the jewellery. Inspect the quality of this, including the quality of the printing as well as any spelling mistakes as this can be a telltale sign that the product is in fact, fake.
Number Five - Check the stones
You should be suspicious of a gemstone which is too perfect. That may sound slightly bizarre, but real gemstones are not perfect, and you can often see flecks which are naturally formed within the stone of an actual gemstone. Due to the natural formation process, the same can be said for diamonds. You should be able to spot any imperfections in a diamond with a magnifying glass. Plastic and glass are often used when creating fake gemstones and diamonds which can leave them having a perfect, smooth appearance.
Number 6 - Tests you can do yourself
Here are a few tests that you can use to detect whether your piece is authentic or not.
The Fog Test
This test is used to determine whether a diamond is real or fake, and it’s a pretty simple one to do. Breathe hot air onto the stone of the diamond and then watch to see what happens. If the diamond fogs up, you have a fake diamond as real diamonds do not retain any heat. Real diamonds shouldn’t show any signs of fog.
The Magnet Test
This is a test which will determine if a piece of gold or silver is real. Gold and silver are not magnetic materials, so if you grab a strong magnet and place it near the piece of jewellery, you will be able to see if it is real or fake. If the piece sticks to the magnet, it is fake. If it doesn’t stick to the magnet, it is an indication that your gold or silver is real.
The Skin Test
You may have already heard about this test as it is one of the more common tests to ensure that a piece of jewellery is real. If wearing the piece of jewellery irritates your skin or turns it green, then your piece is more than likely to be fake. Real silver and gold will not react with the skin.
Number Seven - Get a second opinion
If you are unsure about your jewellery being authentic, then you should get a second opinion. Visiting a jeweller or a pawn shop and asking a professional to assess your jewellery may be a way to ease any doubts that you may have about your jewellery piece. Buying jewellery from a reputable source is an easy way to calm any nerves or suspicions regarding the authenticity of your jewellery. We offer a wide selection of GIA certified pieces as well as designer names such as Chopard, Cartier and IWC Schaffhausen. If you would like to explore all of the brands we stock here at Berry’s, you can always explore our brand page.
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