Jewelry Authenticity

Your responsibility as a consumer is to maximize your financial investment. When people overpay, we despise them because smart consumers know they can receive more for less money. When it comes to purchasing luxury items like watches, these innate patterns of consumer behavior are not disregarded. The purpose of this essay is to highlight several "hidden areas of value" that may affect how and where people decide to buy watches. I'd want to begin by setting the framework for the entire essay because those who haven't had much experience purchasing watches might not be familiar with all the locations where watches are offered or all of their benefits and drawbacks.

Both authorized and unauthorized methods exist for purchasing watches. Authorized retailers carrying a variety of brands as well as brand boutiques carrying only one brand's items are recognized locations to buy new watches. Several watch brands make it "officially available" to buy their timepieces online (either directly through their website or through third-party approved dealers), while others don't. Many "grey market" merchants aren't authorized dealers yet buy timepieces in a variety of ways, making up the unofficial watch industry.

Gray market dealers can offer significant discounts since they are not constrained by brand pricing policy guidelines. It should be emphasized that pre-owned watch dealers, who focus on reselling old timepieces, are different from grey market dealers. Many watch buyers share the opinion that grey market dealers offer two key advantages. One is making it simpler to acquire watches because they are primarily operated through websites, allowing customers to buy from anywhere. Next is the cost. Prices from grey market vendors are frequently higher than those from official vendors.

Although authorized dealers frequently offer price reductions, they are not very substantial. Furthermore, the company prohibits price reductions at the majority of its boutiques. Hence, it makes a lot of sense why customers frequently wish to buy their watches at grey market watch retailers, given that products are offered at grey market dealers and that everything is fair.

Warranties are one of the only "public" arguments offered by watch companies to persuade customers to buy from licensed retailers and boutiques. If there are problems with the watches, the consumer will be required to pay for repairs that would otherwise be covered by the warranty; in some cases, the grey market dealer will give their warranty. Watches bought from grey market vendors do not come with official warranties.

Sincere to say, the majority of watch warranties aren't all that fantastic. Although they frequently "save" people, customer satisfaction with watch brand warranties and servicing isn't all that high - but of course, that also depends on the brand. and things are improving. But, if you have a solid working connection with the authorized retailer from whence you got your watch and your watch has a genuine mechanical problem, you will be "taken care of" correctly.

Are warranties the only perk of purchasing a watch at full or nearly full price? No. I've discovered many more fascinating advantages that watch buyers gain from purchasing watches from single-brand boutiques or authorized dealers throughout the years. Some advantages differ depending on the retailer, the city, the brand, and the customer. Consequently, I can't guarantee that any of these advantages will apply to you if you purchase a watch directly from a brand or at a brand boutique, but there is a good chance that at least some of what I will go over will come as a pleasant surprise when you purchase a watch through n "official channel."

I conducted numerous interviews and sent out questionnaires while writing this paper. I wanted to give concrete examples of the unexpected advantages customers could experience when purchasing watches from brand shops or authorized dealers. While several companies were happy to speak with me informally on the subject, they weren't interested in being directly named or having me describe what they do for their customers.

At first glance, this might seem unusual, but it has to do with preserving the uniqueness of their programmers and services and not stepping on their authorized dealers' toes. As you can see, certain advantages are only available when buying a watch from a brand boutique, while other advantages are accessible whether you buy the watch from a brand boutique or an authorized dealer.

This leads us to the second key reason why the brands are reluctant to make these benefits too widely known: not all customers or all stores are eligible for them. Thus, while we can't promise anything, I'd like to talk about some of the potential outcomes you can anticipate if you choose to buy watches from brand boutiques or authorized dealers. The worth of these items varies, but they are not negligible; when summed up, they very well might oftentimes compensate for paying full retail.

Purchasing watches from authorized dealers and specific brand boutiques may come with extended warranties in addition to the standard 1-3 year warranty that most timepieces have. Customers who purchase watches from high-end brand boutiques frequently get warranties that last up to five years. These warranties frequently only cover serious flaws or movement, but they can be very important depending on your relationship with the vendors.

In the worst instance, a broken timepiece can be entirely changed out for a brand-new one. Compare that to grey market vendors who don't offer warranties and frequently have "no return" rules that enrage customers who receive defective watches. However, the majority of manufacturers give consumers who complain to them after having problems with grey market dealers little recourse.

Want to purchase that trendy new watch as soon as possible? Are you looking to purchase a difficult-to-find limited-edition timepiece? Shops frequently maintain waiting lists as well as listings of what their customers like. When one of their clients explicitly states that they need a particular model as soon as possible, they can also make specific requests to a brand's headquarters. This is true not just in cases when a consumer is impatiently seeking out a new model, but also in situations where obtaining limited-edition or limited-production models will be extremely challenging.

In many cases, they must "know" who their customers are. Other companies simply wish to thank their loyal clients who buy from them directly or through licensed dealers. Therefore you'll want to buy watches the official way if you're looking for a hard-to-find new watch or want to be among the first to receive something as soon as it comes out of production.

Authorized vs. Unauthorized dealers

Unauthorized sellers are selling a lot of watches and pieces of jewelry. The sale of worn-out, outdated, or damaged watches without a brand-recognized guarantee may occur on the grey market. The watches and jewelry can be sold at any price determined by the black market because these retailers are unable to guarantee credibility. Authorized shops, on the other hand, offer brand-new, genuine watches with a warranty that is acknowledged around the world.

While illegal sellers cannot provide authentic warranties, they frequently provide their warranties because they lack the manufacturer's original resources, expertise, and knowledge regarding the products they are selling. Also, you wouldn't know where the movements and watches, and jewelry came from if you bought a watch from an unlicensed merchant, which could result in additional harm to your watch. On the other hand, if you buy from a merchant that is authorized by the brand, you can be sure that every component of the watch is authentic. The ideal strategy would be to stay away from the grey market because your watch or jewelry brand will only honor its warranty if you buy it from an authorized shop.

How to identify the black and gray markets?

Black market watches or jewelry are either stolen, counterfeit, or fake. These are also, in most cases, illegal to manufacture or sell. Watches have also been a target for counterfeiting schemes because they are desirable and small enough to conceal. Counterfeit and fakes do not have the same quality materials as legitimate watches. Purchasing these can lead to the continuation of poor working conditions and contribute to the use of child labor. Counterfeiters steal the knowledge of watch companies and give no credit to the hardworking individuals who are behind the innovative and complicated designs. By purchasing fake items, jobs can be lost which can cause ripples through the economy.

Gray Market watches are authentic products that are sold through an unauthorized source. Watches purchased from a gray market source will not include a factory warranty and resale values will be lower than a watch purchased from an authorized retailer. While these watches are made by luxury brands, the warranty service will be denied by authorized service centers when the watch needs repairing. Gray market watches are often sourced from overseas or even sold illicitly by dealers that have excess inventory. When buying from a gray market source, you have no way of knowing when the watch was manufactured and what may have happened to it in its journey between multiple distribution points. The repairs on the watch were likely performed by an unauthorized repair center which also means that the parts may not be brand-authorized.

There is always a risk of getting a replica or fake watch when bought online. On some websites, it is rare but possible. The problem is you may never know. Furthermore, you mostly do not get a manufacturer warranty when you buy from a grey market supplier. Grey market websites will offer you an in-house guarantee that may not offer the best service as what you will get from the manufacturer. You will generally also not get the customer support and service you will get from an authorized dealer. Another concern is that when you decide to resell, you will probably not get a good deal if the buyer knows you bought it from a great market dealer.

It may be hard to notice what makes a watch gray market because they are authentic pieces. If you see a discounted price advertised online for a new watch, you can be certain that the dealer is not authorized. Gray market watches do not usually come with the manufacturer’s warranty card or an authorized dealer stamp. These watches may also be missing their serial number. These steps stop the manufacturers from tracing the original authorized dealer that sold the watch into the gray market. Removing the serial number means if the watch is lost or stolen, it will not be traceable or available to be claimed by insurance. Authorized repair centers will also typically refuse to service the watch – leaving you in a bind when the watch requires service. Some gray market dealers will be forthcoming with the fact they are selling non-authorized watches while other dealers may hide the fact until your watch needs servicing.

Why you should buy from authorized retailers?

Watchmakers have spent years building their unique knowledge to create beautiful pieces and have been validated and trained by the brands they represent. By buying from an authorized retailer, you are supporting the lifestyle and creativity of the watchmakers that create these beautiful works of art. You can sleep in peace knowing that your watch is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. By purchasing through an authorized retailer, you will also have the benefit of knowing the watch is genuine. You will also have the ability to ask the retailer about the brand and know that you will be receiving truthful and informed information about the watches. Authorized retailers are not able to post pricing information about the brands they carry online. This is what separates them from gray market dealers or even black market dealers. At the end of the day, it is your decision whether saving a few percentage points is worth the risks inherent in buying a gray market timepiece.

Counterfeiting across the jewelry industry comes in different forms and inflicts a host of harm on individual creators, certainly, but also on consumers, companies, and even cultures, or countries. Jewelry Counterfeiting can lead to trademark infringement (which safeguards brand identity) and copyright breaches (which protect creative work) and has gotten worse in recent years as a result of the accessibility of internet commerce.

Counterfeiting can lead to putting someone in illegal situations, according to Ben Allison, a Santa Fe, New Mexico attorney who focuses on business and intellectual property lawsuits “When someone misuses a trademark a name or logo or some other feature that identifies a brand in a consumer’s mind the harm can be irreparable. In addition, it’s a theft of someone’s identity, but it strikes much closer to the heart of identity than somebody just using my Social Security number to get money!” he said. “It’s very personal. A trademark is how the world knows me.” He explained.

According to CBP Enforcement Statistics Fiscal Year 2023 report, jewels and watches accounted for 12 percent of all seizures and were the fourth-most common category of counterfeit goods. However, they were the most common in terms of reported monetary worth.

Nowadays, the issue of jewelry counterfeits is one that Native American jewelers are all too aware of. According to Jack Ogden, the founder and current president of the Society of Jewelry Historians, nearly half of the purportedly "antique" gold jewelry available today is fake. "It’s a huge business! You figure they use maybe £20,000 in raw materials, and they get maybe £200,000 on the other end.” He said.

Fake jewelry and watch sales are booming. As a result, innumerable replica watches are available, including the Rolex Daytona. They are offered at reduced costs and displayed on websites known as "Fake Stores." So it is significantly more challenging to find fraudsters here. But not only online street vendors frequently hawk fake timepieces to uninformed tourists.

Luxury replica watches and other jewels are getting better and better, and they resemble genuine articles. They should be aware of the following factors to avoid being duped by a bogus offer. Becky Stone, a blogger at Diamonds in the Library, advises conducting due diligence on sellers, checking for a return policy, and enquiring about them.

“If a seller says they’re offering a rare 9-karat gold French mourning ring that an earl’s daughter wore in memory of her father in the late 1700s, that person should be able to explain the facts behind that description. How do they know it’s French…? How do they know who wore it? How did they date it?”

“If someone is going to offer rare, expensive antiques for sale,” she continued, “they should be able to explain to any buyer how they evaluate their merchandise. If a seller won’t take the time to answer your questions or can’t provide satisfactory answers, they don’t deserve your trust (or your money).”

So, before purchasing jewelry and watches, make sure that the jewelry you want is from an authorized vendor by comparing costs from several retailers. Luxurious watches and jewelry frequently have the brand name or emblem engraved on them. Pay close attention to the watch's strap quality. Usually, counterfeiters employ subpar materials, and their craftsmanship is substandard.

Avoid purchasing things that are too inexpensive; A price that is too cheap may be alluring, but it is a sign of poor quality; you may think you are getting a deal, but you end up with a product that does not endure and will wear out much sooner than the original.

Be cautious of products that are often sold through official sales channels but are being sold along roads or on beaches by unlicensed sellers, at stalls or in flea markets, etc. Only buy from authorized dealers who can guarantee the origin of the goods. Consult those more knowledgeable about the product before making any substantial purchases.

Always read the labels on the products you buy because they serve as their "identity card"; avoid products with writing in lowercase or unclear, as well as those that lack the "EC mark" and origin information. Correct labels give you the most information about the product because they are transparent about the brand, manufacturing process, location of production, and characteristics.

Only purchase goods that are in good condition, have the manufacturer's name on the packaging and have any potential quality or certification labels visible.

Be wary of "door-to-door" transactions because the goods can be fake if you don't get clear information about the seller's identity and contact information (phone, address, etc.).

Frequently, even minor characteristics reveal information about the watch's or jewelry's legitimacy. Thus, date magnification, magnifying glass, and serial numbers can all be crucial in revealing a fake watch.

Fraudsters are skilled at exactly replicating trademark products to make them appear genuine. These forgeries may offer the illusion of a status symbol, but they are more likely to be detected for what they are, and they are less lasting than the originals due to inferior materials and workmanship. It's no accident that they're far less expensive than the original.

Here are some pointers on how to spot fake jewelry & watches:

In the case of jewelry:

On items made of gold and other precious metals, pay close attention to the hallmarks that have been imprinted. You should also look closely at the item to check for any official markings or words.

If you come across a hallmark (a mark imprinted into the metal), it should state the purity of the gold, silver, platinum, or palladium in thousandths (1-999) or (in other countries) in karats (10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, or 24K). In general, gold pieces have at least 375 thousandths (9 karats) (anything less than 10K is considered fake gold in the United States) and always bear the hallmark indicating the karats or titer in thousandths, i.e. the content of precious metal (gold, silver, palladium, and platinum) in the alloy used to make the object. It will be easier to find and read the hallmark if you use a magnifying lens, and if it is missing, the object may be a forgery.

Be careful with silver. Silver is generally opaque and tarnishes with time if not protected by the manufacturer with surface treatments. The silver in fake jewelry is, instead, very shiny, nearly translucent: an evident sign of "fakery."

Check the serial number. Genuine jewelry frequently has its serial numbers carved with a diamond tip or laser, making them very distinct and legible. Fakes, on the other hand, imitate the number by etching, resulting in fuzzier and more opaque results.

In the case of watches:

When searching to purchase a name-brand watch, the first step is to inspect the watch's face. A fake watch will frequently look similar to the original, but it will have some minor faults, such as stains or a different design of hour and minute hands. Hence, keep the craftsmanship and style of the original model in mind and see if the watch, sold cheaply or by doubtful individuals, has the same qualities. A forgery will always have similar, but not identical, features.

The second step is to look for the watch's reference or serial number. The number should be obvious and easy to remember. Most high-end watchmakers engrave this number with diamond tips to ensure that it is constantly visible and legible. Copies, on the other hand, typically feature carved serial numbers that are less visible to the naked eye.

Examine the back plate. It must be defect-free. Any engraving must be visible. Holograms can also be found on the rear plate of some high-end watches. To find out if a particular watch has a hologram on the back plate, you can consult a reputable local jeweler.

Verify all spelling before continuing. A high-quality watch contains no spelling mistakes, even if the manufacturer is from another country. Examine the hand movement. A high-quality watch features hands that move smoothly rather than jerkily like a low-quality one.

Could counterfeit jewelry & watches be harmful?

The following are some of the ways that counterfeiting hurts people, families, and the community:

There is no investigation into the quality of the materials used and their suitability for the wearer's health in the manufacture of imitation watches and jewelry. Hence, there are no concerns about utilizing lead-based paints and varnishes, nickel-containing or treated metals, or other allergenic materials. In addition, many research studies have found that fake jewelry like low-karat gold might cause health problems, such as allergies, and skin sensitivity. Moreover, from a legal point of view, one of the most significant sources of funding for organized crime is counterfeiting. So, avoiding buying fake jewelry and watches will return health and legal benefits rather than buying them.

What should I do if I purchased counterfeit jewelry & watches?

By acquiring counterfeit jewelry or watches, the consumer runs the danger of spending far more than the true value and quality of the product purchased. Keep in mind that a quality piece of jewelry requires the use of expensive materials and production processes that are frequently extremely complex, which are incompatible with retail prices that are excessively low compared to the market average. As such, it is important to be wary of any offer of precious products like jewelry sold at drastically reduced prices. Also, it should be kept in mind that the only way to be confident that an item is unquestionably real is to buy it from a reputable shop that is if at all possible, legally recognized by the makers.

References

1. https://www.lugaro.com/authorized-vs-unauthorized-retailers/
2. https://www.govbergwatches.com/blog/govberg-market-watches.html
3. https://www.ablogtowatch.com/unexpected-benefits-buying-watches-authorized-dealers-brand-boutiques/
4. https://www.quora.com/Is-it-worth-buying-a-luxury-watch-through-an-Authorized-dealer-as-opposed-to-the-grey-market
5. https://www.fratellowatches.com/brand-boutiques-vs-authorized-dealers/#gref
6. https://www.bernardine.com/jewelry-counterfeits-the-age-old-problem-just-keeps-growing/
7. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/21/fashion/jewelry-counterfeit-online-sales-cartier.html
8. https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/ancient-jewelry-market-counterfeit/
9. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics
10. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/05/us/customs-seize-fake-cartier-worth-millions-trnd/index.html
11. https://www.originalo.de/en/spot-counterfeits/watches_jewelry/
12. https://uibm.mise.gov.it/attachments/category/225/Vademecum%20orologeria_inglese.pdf