Cartier confusion!

[Jolene79]

Hi there! Seeing if anyone can help me understand this ring?! It looks like a fake.. has the markings of the " fake ones" but I have had it tested twice now by trusted jewlers and both times In front of me it has come up as 18 kt! Not gold plated but solid 18 kt gold! I'm super confused as the stone read one time as c.z but the ring is reading as 18kt! Has anyone heard of a "fake" cartier ring that was made from 18 kt gold?! I snapped a picture today of it being tested to show what it comes up as.

 

[yssie]

Very fake. That serial is renown for being reused. Google is your friend.

 

[Jolene79]

Very fake. That serial is renown for being reused. Google is your friend.

Did you read any of my post? I have Google as well .. that's not what I was asking.

 

[Jolene79]

Did you read any of my post? I have Google as well .. that's not what I was asking.

It's 18 kt gold. Uve had it tested twice from trusted jewlery retailers

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

It’s fake. Fake refers not to “fake gold”, but that it’s a fake Cartier.

 

[LLJsmom]

It’s fake. Fake refers not to “fake gold”, but that it’s a fake Cartier.

yes, exactly. It could be real gold. It's just not real Cartier.

 

[LLJsmom]

Did you read any of my post? I have Google as well .. that's not what I was asking.

Ummm...could be nicer?

 

[Jolene79]

Ummm...could be nicer

 

[Jolene79]

I'm just trying to understand from someone that knows their stuff. I explained in great detail so just was looking to see if anyone has run into one of these that was not titanium but sold gold as this one is. I obviously have "googled" this ring many times and found out the same info but this is a bit more unusual as it's not just a $20 knock off. It was appraised at over $400 . So hence why I simply asked if they read my post...

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

I'm just trying to understand from someone that knows their stuff. I explained in great detail so just was looking to see if anyone has run into one of these that was not titanium but sold gold as this one is. I obviously have "googled" this ring many times and found out the same info but this is a bit more unusual as it's not just a $20 knock off. It was appraised at over $400 . So hence why I simply asked if they read my post...

The question you're asking gets asked here very frequently. Like, A LOT. The first person who responded, @yssie , is a PriceScope legend. She knows her stuff. All the fake Cartier rings look exactly the same and have the same serial number. It is not surprising that it is made out of solid 18k gold, it's a nicer than usual fake, but still a fake. Yes she read your whole post, it's just that this exact question with this exact ring gets asked at least once a week here and the people who've been on PriceScope for over a decade can recognize it in a heartbeat.

 

[LLJsmom]

I'm just trying to understand from someone that knows their stuff. I explained in great detail so just was looking to see if anyone has run into one of these that was not titanium but sold gold as this one is. I obviously have "googled" this ring many times and found out the same info but this is a bit more unusual as it's not just a $20 knock off. It was appraised at over $400 . So hence why I simply asked if they read my post...

Then I must be the clueless one. I don't understand your question. Are you asking if it's an authentic Cartier ring? Or did you just want to know the following?

Has anyone heard of a "fake" cartier ring that was made from 18 kt gold?!

To answer you specifically, no, I have never seen or heard of fake Cartier made in 18k gold. But I'm no expert on all the variations of fake Cartier rings that may exist. I don't think that helps you. The jewelers tell you that you have real gold ring. We think it's not real Cartier. Those two conditions are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

 

[LLJsmom]

The question you're asking gets asked here very frequently. Like, A LOT. The first person who responded, @yssie , is a PriceScope legend. She knows her stuff. All the fake Cartier rings look exactly the same and have the same serial number. It is not surprising that it is made out of solid 18k gold, it's a nicer than usual fake, but still a fake. Yes she read your whole post, it's just that this exact question with this exact ring gets asked at least once a week here and the people who've been on PriceScope for over a decade can recognize it in a heartbeat.

Thank you @Sprinkles&Stones.

 

[Jolene79]

The question you're asking gets asked here very frequently. Like, A LOT. The first person who responded, @yssie , is a PriceScope legend. She knows her stuff. All the fake Cartier rings look exactly the same and have the same serial number. It is not surprising that it is made out of solid 18k gold, it's a nicer than usual fake, but still a fake. Yes she read your whole post, it's just that this exact question with this exact ring gets asked at least once a week here and the people who've been on PriceScope for over a decade can recognize it in a heartbeat.

Oh Ok I undersrand that it's not an authentic cartier ring. I have done lots of researching and have not found one fake that was 18 kt though unless I missed one. I've only seen titanium or of that sort so that's what I'm trying to find out.. if anyone has come across the " high end fake" before. Maybe my question was not clear thanks

 

[Tourmaline]

Unless it was cut through the ring and tested inside the cut, any testing of the metal was done on a surface scratch, which could very well mean it was plated with 18kt gold, rather than solid. To test the inside would be a destructive test. The ring would then have to be soldered back together, and there would be a visible solder mark.

 

[yssie]

Oh my goodness.

Yes. @Jolene79, I read your post in full.

I am familiar with the Kee tester. Very, actually. Because I own one.
It's a toy.
I, a hobbyist, don't trust it for anything that actually matters. I wouldn't trust any jeweller who does.

If you want to authentically confirm karat you need an acid test.
Acid, as @Tourmaline explained, is somewhat destructive.
However, without it, all you're doing - all those electronic gidgets are doing the same thing - is comparing conductivity of the material being tested to known values for various karats of gold.

I have a plated stainless ring that my Kee toy reliably calls 14k.

I agree it's exceedingly unlikely someone would make a solid 18k gold repro with an obviously-fake serial number.
The obvious conclusion is that it's not actually 18k...

 

[Jolene79]

This lady had that brand yes but it also read 18 Kt at People's Jewlers which is a reputable jewlery retailer. I'll just keep it as it's very pretty!

 

[maryjane04]

I'm just trying to understand from someone that knows their stuff. I explained in great detail so just was looking to see if anyone has run into one of these that was not titanium but sold gold as this one is. I obviously have "googled" this ring many times and found out the same info but this is a bit more unusual as it's not just a $20 knock off. It was appraised at over $400 . So hence why I simply asked if they read my post...

There are different levels of "fake" or imitation even in handbags.. you can get A, A+, A++ hahaha.

The cost of gold and to make the ring even if it was solid gold would be way cheaper than an authentic Cartier ring

 

[LLJsmom]

Oh my goodness.

Yes. @Jolene79, I read your post in full.

I am familiar with the Kee tester. Very, actually. Because I own one.
It's a toy.
I, a hobbyist, don't trust it for anything that actually matters. I wouldn't trust any jeweller who does.

If you want to authentically confirm karat you need an acid test.
Acid, as @Tourmaline explained, is somewhat destructive.
However, without it, all you're doing - all those electronic gidgets are doing the same thing - is comparing conductivity of the material being tested to known values for various karats of gold.

I have a plated stainless ring that my Kee toy reliably calls 14k.

I agree it's exceedingly unlikely someone would make a solid 18k gold repro with an obviously-fake serial number.
The obvious conclusion is that it's not actually 18k...

Ah. Love this. Thanks @yssie. I trust you.

 

[mrs-b]

Oh my goodness.

Yes. @Jolene79, I read your post in full.

I am familiar with the Kee tester. Very, actually. Because I own one.
It's a toy.
I, a hobbyist, don't trust it for anything that actually matters. I wouldn't trust any jeweller who does.

If you want to authentically confirm karat you need an acid test.
Acid, as @Tourmaline explained, is somewhat destructive.
However, without it, all you're doing - all those electronic gidgets are doing the same thing - is comparing conductivity of the material being tested to known values for various karats of gold.

I have a plated stainless ring that my Kee toy reliably calls 14k.

I agree it's exceedingly unlikely someone would make a solid 18k gold repro with an obviously-fake serial number.
The obvious conclusion is that it's not actually 18k...

I love that your Kee tester is optimistic by nature!

 

[fussykiki]

This lady had that brand yes but it also read 18 Kt at People's Jewlers which is a reputable jewlery retailer. I'll just keep it as it's very pretty!

It doesn't matter whether it is 18k or not as long as you like it.

 

[lucida818]

I do not know about other parts of the world but here in Asia, there are so many Jewelers who custom make branded jewelries eg Cartier, Bvlgari, T&Co, VCA etc in real solid gold & gem stones (diamonds included) & of course fake serial numbers & hallmarks. The weight is close to the authentic piece as well.

 

[yssie]

I do not know about other parts of the world but here in Asia, there are so many Jewelers who custom make branded jewelries eg Cartier, Bvlgari, T&Co, VCA etc in real solid gold & gem stones (diamonds included) & of course fake serial numbers & hallmarks. The weight is close to the authentic piece as well.

That’s terrible.
The rest of the world could take a page or two out of France’s playbook
US jewellers will do this too, but they’re (mostly) not going to advertise it.

 

[Paisley2628]

Unless it was cut through the ring and tested inside the cut, any testing of the metal was done on a surface scratch, which could very well mean it was plated with 18kt gold, rather than solid. To test the inside would be a destructive test. The ring would then have to be soldered back together, and there would be a visible solder mark.

My family member buys/sells precious metals and had to register in order to purchase an XRF Analyzer.
This (very expensive) machine will give - in detail - the composition of the metal.
If you feel you must find out what the ring is actually made of- check around your area if a coin dealer/ etc. owns an XRF Analyzer.

 

[FL_runner]

I do not know about other parts of the world but here in Asia, there are so many Jewelers who custom make branded jewelries eg Cartier, Bvlgari, T&Co, VCA etc in real solid gold & gem stones (diamonds included) & of course fake serial numbers & hallmarks. The weight is close to the authentic piece as well.

Yes- this is a well known practice. There's lots of info on the Reddit "repladies" subforum. I would not be interested in purchasing a replica, but it was interesting to see the range of quality they can have (from the cheap-o knockoffs to recreations with high end materials).