Vintage Two Tone Tiffany Piece w/o Gold Mark

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Lynn Forsell, May 20, 2022.

  1. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    LF's evasiveness is odd, and promotes the suspicion that it was "authenticated" by none other than herself/himself... in which case, it is not actually authenticated. Suspicion/Doubt is an unfortunate consequence of not answering a direct and legitimate question.
    A seller may be "comfortable with the authenticity" of a piece, but that does not mean the piece has "been authenticated".
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Legislation in Italy regarding the marking of precious metal items is not the same as that of the USA, and never has been.

    Italy has a much older and far more extensive tradition of marking than the USA does, and it has government-controlled assay offices.
    Official assaying in the various Italian kingdoms and Papal states started many centuries before the USA ever even considered any legislation regarding marking of jewellery and precious metal items. In most cases guild-controlled marking began in the Middle Ages. The guilds in turn were controlled by the local or state authorities.

    Italy is now in the process of joining the Hallmarking Convention, which means they follow hallmarking requirements of the Convention, which again are more extensive than the legislation of a country that doesn't have any government-controlled assaying of jewellery and precious objects.

    BTW, there are many examples worldwide of marking of both silver and gold on the one piece. It means that both finenesses are accounted for.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
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  3. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    Look at the T&Co stamp.
    Why would Tiffany let a messy stamp like this out the door?


    Screenshot_20220522-072928.png
     
  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    That is why I asked if we could see the mark. There are so many fakes.:(
     
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  5. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    It does appear to be a messily struck mark... and the blurry and angled photo of the mark does nothing to promote confidence in the item being true Tiffany. Using photos like that (especially of what is purported to be a high end piece) have always caused me, for one, to think a seller may actually be trying to deceive...

    EDIT: All that said, I actually have no idea if LF's bracelet is true Tiffany. But, as a potential buyer, I would be very suspicious of a seller who cannot/will not state openly the provenance and authentication process of an expensive item. One of the similar bracelets posted in a link in this thread mentions that their item was "cleaned by Tiffany" but offers no proof of such. Again, suspicious.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
  6. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    On a piece like this from a famous house, marks are everything.
     
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  7. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    And the crispness and perfection of the marks, and perfect punching, perfectly spaced.
     
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  8. Lynn Forsell

    Lynn Forsell Member

    Thank you for your interest. The question was about Tiffany's marking practices. That is the focus of my question. If someone wishes to redirect discussion then I certainly respect their right to do that. And I have appreciated your comments in response to other questions. This style is uncommon. It's been validated by resellers and Tiffany itself per the listings below. Here are examples of these pieces from other sites.
    https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/29318612_tiffany-and-co-sterling-silver-bracelet-and-necklace
    https://www.therealreal.com/product...iffany-co-two-tone-multistrand-bracelet-bmd8n
     
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  9. Lynn Forsell

    Lynn Forsell Member

    Thank you everyone, for your thoughts and comments. I appreciate them!
     
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  10. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    You have responded most kindly to the doubts expressed here, thank you for that!

    I suppose you must be aware that just because someone else's similar piece has been authenticated, does not mean that yours is authentic as well. As previously stated by another Antiquers member, fakes abound.
    Your first link offers no actual proof of authentication. It states the piece was "cleaned by Tiffany in 2011" but does not show any receipt to prove that claim. Nevertheless, Leonard Auction is a reputable Chicago auction house and likely to be trustworthy. But again, just because theirs may be authentic, does not mean every similar bracelet is authentic.
    Your second link does not even show any photos of marks, and the description is sparse. Just because it sold for a decent amount does not prove that the piece is indeed authentic, only that a buyer believed it may be... and how knowledgeable that buyer was is unknown.

    Best wishes to you for a great sale!
     
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