I wasn’t sure if I should have this to one of the fake goods topics that is going around, so decided to create a new one since it wasn’t really any of the previous things. Was looking at eBay today and ran across the cuff for sale.
I was curious as to what made the seller think it was 1800s since the seller claims to have provenance, so I messaged them, and was told that, “the markings on the inside give it away”, so I pressed for a close-up of those marks. Here’s what they sent:
I have no idea what this mark is supposed to be, but this sure looks to me like a typical 1970s production cuff that is neither rare nor very old. And this seller apparently does not know what the word provenance means, which is alarming given that they are promising authenticity based on the idea that they have proof of this item’s history. Apparently those marks ARE the provenance!
Started looking at some of the other entries that he had for sale, and he had a variety of jewelry that claims to be victorian, 1800s, 1920s, and other historic eras that I can look at a bad photo of and know that it is absolutely not that, and the descriptions read like he’s just dreaming stuff up out of his rear! Think silver production Mayan calendar coin bracelet with a lobster claw clasp that’s “1800’s”, a simple, unmarked and unremarkable common sterling collar that was supposedly owned by Audrey Hepburn (but no proof other than the seller’s word), and “1920s” earrings of which I have the same pair bought new from a chain jewelry store in the 1990’s.
What does one do here? I have not done any business with this person but it just seems ridiculous that someone can be selling something so blatantly erroneous, and people are getting taken.
Oh for crying out loud. My husband and I have a saying, “what is wrong with people?!” And then in the description it says, “handmade by skilled artisans.” So more than one person made it ?
But you know $320 for something made in the 1800s is quite the deal
“Oh for crying out loud”… I had laugh, my mother used that saying a lot, But it certainly applies here! And didn’t ya know, the .925 stamp was commonly used in the 1800’s .
But seriously, that response the “the markings on the inside give it away” is ridiculous and, in my opinion, reflects the sellers ineptitude!
We should start ranking ridiculous posts; this would be right up there at the top!
@Bmpdvm@Ziacat that’s so right! And yes, I remember that saying. Hahaha.
Yeah, the age-old .925 mark, and it took how many people to make this? Mostly what I was thinking about that $300 price tag was, " a fool and his money…" !
He replied as to why he thinks the symbols are provenance. He just said that they match up with Navajo symbols that date them to the late 1800s. I don’t have the heart to ask him where he’s getting these symbols. maybe one of those little papers you get when you buy a vase?
@Xtina Looking at Hougart’s hallmarks book, that hallmark may be trying to replicate corn, leaf, or feather . Is this cuff’s specific hallmark legit? I have no idea. IMO, this cuff isn’t vintage - I’d put it from the 2000s. To me, this seller has zero clue about what they’re selling & isn’t doing any research, either. Willful ignorance or a willful scam? Buyer beware, always. If it’s too good to be true…
There will always be people selling items with false information. Sometimes they do not know any better. Sometimes they are tyring to be deceptive.
I have collected coins for over 50 years. Many try to pass off coins with no mint mark as being rare or errors.
They are just from the Philadelphia Mint.
I always laugh at ads that call these coins rare and errors. People try to sell common one cent coins for hundreds of dollars.
Or sell silver coins treated with a blowtorch as cabinet patina. Or harshly cleaned as mint state. Black sheep are everywhere, and I always try to alert the platform “police”, when I’m sure enough the misinterpretation is intentional.
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Mostly what I was thinking about that $300 price tag was, " a fool and his money…" !
maybe one of those little papers you get when you buy a vase?
. Is this cuff’s specific hallmark legit? I have no idea. IMO, this cuff isn’t vintage - I’d put it from the 2000s. To me, this seller has zero clue about what they’re selling & isn’t doing any research, either. Willful ignorance or a willful scam? Buyer beware, always. If it’s too good to be true…