How to Buy Native American Jewelry with Certainty

by Jonshon Matthew Consultant

Fake Native American jewelry has been flooding the market for decades now. While there are many different industry players working harder to fight the sale of fake pieces, unsuspecting buyers still end up with counterfeited items from unscrupulous traders. Not all is lost, though, since, with the right homework and research, you can get to an authentic dealer who will ensure that you get authentic pieces too.

If you are thinking of buying some new Native American Jewelry, make sure to do thorough homework on genuine dealers. You may also consider the following tips if you need to buy them with certainty.

The price

One of the most common factors that determine the authenticity of jewelry pieces is their price. While buying your desired Native American rings, bracelets, or necklaces, it would be okay to be skeptical here. If you have run into a dealer with a pricing list that seems too exaggerated or even too good to be true, avoiding them at all costs would be advisable.

The main idea here is to be wary of a price tag that does not reflect the worth of the jewelry that you choose. You would imagine a price too low, yet it is for authentic American Indian turquoise pieces. These pieces require more skills, time, and effort, and an exaggeratedly low price should put you off.

Know the terminology in the industry

Different federal laws govern the sale of jewelry as well as the advertising arising for sale. Some of the regulations prohibit dealers and sellers from advertising counterfeit pieces as authentic ones. An example of the terminologies in the industry demand that only products from federally recognized tribes or nations can have their items carrying the label "Native American" or "Indian." Knowing such terminologies and rules will come in handy.

Hallmarks

You can also get help choosing original pieces by checking for relevant hallmarks. Most authentic designers will stamp their pieces with different hallmarks (or signatures). If you know the hallmarks to check, it should be easier to compare all pieces with similar ones and find out the original ones.

It is not easy to find a genuine dealer who sells authentic turquoise jewelry. However, by doing some due diligence and proper research, it should be easier. Following the tips above can also go a long way in helping you make an informed buying decision.