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.