Genuine hallmark?

[LD]

I suspect this is a fake but am interested in buying this piece. If it's fake clearly I won't be buying!

Can any of you lovely peeps take a look and let me have your thoughts (good and bad please)!

Thanks in advance.

 

[jbkhere]

Looks to be too sloppy to me to be genuine. I don't think I've ever seen T&C marks crooked like that..... I could be wrong of course - just offering up an opinion......

 

[LD]

It's on an arched surface (if that helps)!

The vendor assures me this is real (and it's preloved) but I'm just not sure .............

Thanks for your input.

In case this helps the hallmarking says:

(C) 1994 Tiffany & Co

925 750

 

[JewelFreak]

LD -- thought you meant identifying a hallmark, sorry for the other post.

OK, I downloaded it to my photo editor to sharpen it. Still doesn't come up well. I kind of doubt it's authentic, for 2 reasons:

1. Unless it was made before 1869, the "CO" in the hallmark should not have the O the same size as the C. After 1869 it has always been done with the O raised & after a certain date, underlined. Like this:


2. Only between 1956 & 1965, for those 9 years, did Tiff use a hallmark without serifs on the letters. Even in that time, the O in "Co." was printed as a superscript, not as it appears in your photo. Example:


It is a little indistinct too -- you'd need to examine it IRL & see if that is due to years of polishing having worn it or whether the stamping is poor quality, which Tiffany's never was.

Your vendor probably genuinely thinks it's real. I'm not a Tiff hallmark expert, but it doesn't fit with research I have (which may not be exhaustive).

I'd say if the price is ok & you like it, buy it anyway. But I'd hesitate to pay much extra for the Tiffany name when it's a tad doubtful. Let me know what you decide! And what the heck it is!

--- Laurie

 

[LD]

Laurie - thanks very very much that's incredibly helpful. Here's one from a similar piece that although it says it's authentic, it looks new AND this piece isn't made any more so I doubt it's real. One of the reasons that I wasn't sure about the first one I posted is because it is preloved and does look it (which might account for the worn hallmark).

Whether it's fake or not, I actually like the preloved one AND it's very inexpensive so I may get it assuming it's fake! If I buy it, I'll post up a photo for you to see but in the meantime, what are your thoughts on the one below that I think is fake??? Looking at your analysis, the o in Co is not in superscript so I suspect that it's wrong. Interestingly, in the preloved one it looks slightly higher but I can't see the full stop after the o!

 

[JewelFreak]

LD -- More research turns up interesting things.

I assume this item is holloware, right? In the early days Tiff holloware came from a few outside suppliers who put the Tiffany mark on, themselves. It's possible they did not use the usual Tiffany font -- the first U.S. registered trademark wasn't until 1887; I don't know when Tiff registered their own. In 1852 Tiffany & Co. contracted with John C. Moore Co. to produce all their silverware exclusively, and in 1870 acquired the firm & folded it into their own. I suppose from this time, the fonts would comply with whatever font the company used.

Is there an intial anywhere by the trademark? I don't see one, which means the piece is 1965 or later. Before that time, it was customary, along with the Tiffany trademark, to stamp the intial of 1.) the outside maker, before 1852, or 2.) from about 1873 to 1965, the initial of Tiff's artistic director or the company president. They discontinued the practice in 1965. Here are a variety of hallmarks to illustrate:

1956-65 The "L" is for company director William T. Lusk


1873-1891 Directorship of Edward Moore


1965 to present -- no initial


Another reason I think both pieces are fairly modern is the circled C 1994 (can't read the 1st one -- is it '94?, whatever, it's a date). That is the date they registered the pattern of the piece -- so it could have been produced any time from then on.

So, I'd say they could be genuine -- I think the 2nd one definitely is & possibly the first but possibly not. Neither is earlier than 1965, though, if there is indeed no initial near the trademark.

Now -- SHOW ME THE PIECES! I'm dying of curiosity!

Merry Christmas!!

--- Laurie

 

[LD]

Laurie - you're correct that this is holloware (I think!) and I believe the pattern started in 1994 but is a retired design now - not sure when it retired.

What I can't do is post a photo because of potential lurkers! Not sure whether you're on the other forum (name can't be mentioned) but is online and discusses gemology? If so, I'll try and find you under your name and PM you a link!!!!

Thanks very much for your help and merry Christmas to you and your family. xxx

 

[LD]

Laurie - here you go! Apologies for not sharing before but I didn't want the price to be driven up by lurkers

I honestly don't know whether this is genuine or not but from the research I've done, it appears the hallmark is correct - whether the finer details are right or not I have no idea. It's sterling silver with an 18k yellow arrow. I believe this is a retired Tiffany piece and hasn't been made for nearly 10 years so this is pre-owned. If this turns out not to be genuine I won't be unhappy because husband hasn't paid too much for it. Of course, if it's authentic then I'll be more pleased!

 

[JewelFreak]

What a pretty, sweet gift, LD! If it's truly18k gold, it's probably real. Nobody would use that for a fake. It's lovely & says something SO nice from your DH. I predict you'll feel extra pretty when you wear it! Thanks for the pics -- I was wondering whether you got it & what it was!

--- Laurie

P.S. It's jewelry. Holloware is silver bowls, trays, cups, plates, etc. Flatware is forks, knives, spoons. From the hallmark photo I thought maybe it was a bowl. This is much more useful. (A bowl would look funny around your neck.)

 

[LD]

What a pretty, sweet gift, LD! If it's truly18k gold, it's probably real. Nobody would use that for a fake. It's lovely & says something SO nice from your DH. I predict you'll feel extra pretty when you wear it! Thanks for the pics -- I was wondering whether you got it & what it was!

--- Laurie

P.S. It's jewelry. Holloware is silver bowls, trays, cups, plates, etc. Flatware is forks, knives, spoons. From the hallmark photo I thought maybe it was a bowl. This is much more useful. (A bowl would look funny around your neck.)

and there was me thinking of stringing a spoon onto a chain!

Apologies but I do know what Holloware is - but I wanted to throw lurkers off the scent because if they'd been vigilant it might have been obvious and the price driven up! You never know!

I think I'll know if it's real by the weight. This is supposed to be around 25g so fairly heavy. If it's lighter then I'll know it's a fake! I've desperately tried to find photos of the originals sold by Tiffany but I think once they retire a design it's no longer featured anywhere. If you know different I'd be very grateful! Thanks again for all your help.

 

[JewelFreak]

It's real, LD, unless it's a fabulous fake -- I found several of them on eBay, plus matching earrings & a charm bracelet. I remember a similar design when I worked there about 12 yrs ago, with a gold patch on the heart & no arrow -- it's called a "puffed heart." They discontinued it about the time I started there. I had doubts about the chain -- it doesn't look like Tiff style to me -- but all those on eBay have it, so it's original.

So, enjoy it because it was given by your honey, it's pretty, and it's real! (Sorry about the holloware, I'm a little slow on the uptake some days. )

It wasn't any trouble -- it's fun, I love researching old silver!

--- Laurie

 

[LD]

Thank you Laurie! All your help was much appreciated. Interestingly, I'd forgotton but I have a silver bracelet with all linking hearts with an 18k yellow gold heart in the middle. I rummaged around and found it yesterday, cleaned it up (it looked very dirty ) to compare the hallmark. It has exactly the same hallmark (just a different date) so, like you, I'm pretty convinced it's real. The weight will be the giveaway! If it's not hefty then it'll be fake! My bracelet is 39g so fairly substantial. This necklace is supposed to be around 25g.

Thanks again. x

 

[JewelFreak]

Aha! Do you link 2 of the hearts to close it? I remember that one. Always liked it -- it should be dynamite with your new necklace! I'm sure the necklace is real -- nobody goes to that much trouble & expense to make a perfect Tiff fake, no profit in it. Wear them with a big smile!

--- Laurie

 

[LD]

Sorry - only just seen this! Yes, it links with two hearts so you've got the right one! I think the new necklace will go well with it and the good news is that it was posted on Friday so I should have it in a week or two! When it arrives I'll photograph the two together.

 

[JewelFreak]

Cool -- Look forward to seeing them both!

 

[Kelly12]

If you like it, then but it. It's just for fun.

 

[LD]

It arrived yesterday and it is indeed the real deal - either that or the fakes are getting very heavy!!!!

I was a bit stupid though and handed it straight to my husband and asked him to hide it until my birthday - I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT! If I can find where he's hidden it, I'll take a few photos and then hide it again!