How to Tell if Tiffany & Co. Jewelry is Real

Tiffany & Co. is one of the world’s most iconic luxury jewelers, known for its elegant designs and high-quality materials. Unfortunately, Tiffany’s reputation and high resale value have made it a common target for knockoffs. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on what you think is a genuine Tiffany piece only to discover it’s a fake. The good news is that with a careful inspection, you can spot many of the telltale signs of authenticity (or lack thereof). This guide will walk you through how to verify if your Tiffany & Co. jewelry is real, using consumer-friendly tips and visual/tactile checks. We’ll cover everything from hallmarks and engraving quality to the famed Tiffany Blue box and pouch. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for – and what to avoid – when authenticating Tiffany jewelry.

Inspect the Chain Links

If your Tiffany & Co. piece has a chain (for example, the classic silver link bracelets and necklaces), take a close look at each link. Authentic Tiffany links are fully soldered closed, meaning you won’t see any gaps or splits in the circles or ovals that form the chain. The joins are so seamless on a real Tiffany chain that it’s hard to tell where the link was cut and soldered. In contrast, fake Tiffany chains often have unsoldered or poorly soldered links, which may show a tiny gap or rough joint. Any visible gap or weak point in a chain link should raise concern—it’s often a sign the piece isn’t genuine. High-quality craftsmanship is a hallmark of Tiffany, so every link on a genuine piece should appear smooth, continuous, and securely closed.

Also pay attention to how the chain moves and feels. Real Tiffany chains will drape fluidly and feel solid. Counterfeit pieces might feel lightweight or have stiff, poorly moving links due to subpar assembly. Authentic Tiffany links are usually polished all around, with no sharp edges or discoloration at the solder points.

Check Lettering and Spacing on Engravings

Most Tiffany & Co. jewelry features engraved or stamped lettering – whether it’s the brand name, a serial number, or the iconic “Please Return to Tiffany & Co.” message on its tag charms. Examine any text closely for alignment and clarity. On an authentic Tiffany piece, the text will be precisely centered or evenly placed, not skewed or off-kilter. For example, letters shouldn’t be right up against the edge of a charm or curving off unevenly. If you see that a logo or phrase is crammed too close to the border or not straight, it’s likely not up to Tiffany standards.

Pay special attention to the “PLEASE RETURN TO” inscription found on popular Tiffany heart tags and keyrings. Every word and letter should be cleanly engraved with proper spacing. Genuine pieces have clear separation between words, like “PLEASE RETURN TO” rather than running together​. Poor spacing, like all the words running together into something like “PLEASERETURNTO,” is a common giveaway that the piece may not be authentic. We’ve seen fakes where the text is off-center, poorly etched, or even misspelled—sometimes using the wrong font altogether. Any of those are strong indicators it’s not the real thing. Tiffany’s engraving is crisp, consistent, and flawlessly done, so any blurriness or sloppiness in the lettering is cause for suspicion.

Examine the Hallmarks and Stamps

Authentic Tiffany & Co. jewelry always carries certain hallmarks (official stamps) that indicate its authenticity and metal content. Look for the Tiffany & Co. name stamp and a metal purity mark on your piece. Authentic Tiffany pieces are marked with purity stamps—“925” for sterling silver, “750” for 18k gold, and “950” for platinum—showing the metal’s content. These numbers are the industry standard markings for precious metal content. For example, a genuine Tiffany silver bracelet might read “Tiffany & Co. 925” somewhere discreetly on the clasp or interior. If your silver Tiffany item is missing a “925” or “STERLING” stamp, that’s a strong sign it may not be genuine. (One small caveat: very old vintage Tiffany silver might use older markings like “STERLING” without the 925, but anything modern will have the numeric hallmark.)

In addition to “Tiffany & Co.” and the purity grade, you might see other stamps on authentic pieces. Some authentic Tiffany pieces are marked with a country of origin like “Italy” or “France.” This is completely normal, since the brand produces jewelry in several locations around the world. If the piece was designed by a well-known collaborator like Elsa Peretti or Paloma Picasso, you might also see their name engraved alongside the standard Tiffany marks. These should accompany, not replace, the Tiffany & Co. stamp.

When inspecting hallmarks, verify that the engraving is neat and deeply impressed or etched, not faint or uneven. The text should be in the correct font and size that Tiffany uses – counterfeit stamps might have letters that are too thin, misaligned, or the wrong font. For instance, on a genuine piece from the Tiffany 1837™ collection (which has “1837” engraved), the numbers will be evenly spaced and perfectly upright. On a fake, those numbers might be crooked or poorly formed (the center of an “8” might look blobs rather than a clean shape, for example)​. Overall, the hallmark area on real Tiffany jewelry appears polished and precise. Blurry or shallow stamps, crooked lines, or obvious errors (like misspelling “Tiffany”) are strong indicators the item is not authentic.

Notice the Weight and Material Quality

One thing you’ll often notice when handling authentic Tiffany jewelry is the weight. Genuine pieces tend to have a satisfying, hefty feel because they’re made from solid precious metals (sterling silver is quite dense, and gold even denser). If a piece feels surprisingly lightweight or flimsy for its size, be cautious – many fakes are made with cheap alloys or hollow construction that weigh much less than the real deal. Genuine Tiffany jewelry tends to feel solid in your hand. That extra weight is a result of the quality metals they use and the care put into each design. Even Tiffany’s delicate items should feel solid, never tinny or plasticy.

Closely related to weight is the overall craftsmanship and finish. Tiffany & Co. is revered for its superior workmanship. The level of detail on real Tiffany pieces is high—every angle, even the parts you don’t see, should be polished and finished cleanly. Clasps operate cleanly and hinges or moving parts are crafted with precision. If you examine the piece and see rough edges, uneven seams, or parts that just seem crudely made, that poor quality is a red flag. You can usually spot a fake by its lack of precision—things like uneven links, crooked stone settings, or a rough overall look that just doesn’t feel high-end.

Another quick test: if your item is supposed to be silver or gold, try a magnet on it. Genuine sterling silver and gold are not magnetic, so if a magnet strongly attracts the piece, it could contain iron or steel (common in cheap costume jewelry). Be careful with this test, though – small magnetic clasps or springs can cause slight attraction, but the body of a silver Tiffany bracelet itself should not pull to a magnet. If it does, that suggests it’s not made of solid precious metal.

Look for Discoloration or Plating Wear

Authentic Tiffany jewelry crafted in silver or gold will have a uniform color throughout – silver pieces will be silver-colored all the way through (though they can tarnish darker over time), and gold pieces will be gold-colored throughout. They won’t exhibit patches of odd coloration under the surface. If you notice areas where a different metal color is peeking through (often a reddish copper tone or a brassy yellow beneath silver plating), that is a major warning sign of a fake. Real Tiffany sterling silver is sterling all the way through, so it won’t flake to reveal coppery base metal because there is no plating – it’s solid silver.

On counterfeit items, the makers frequently use copper or nickel alloys and plate them with a thin layer of silver or rhodium to mimic sterling. Over time or with wear, that plating can rub off, especially around engraved letters or edges. For example, some fake “Return to Tiffany” charms have letters where the rose-gold color of copper shows through in the grooves of the text – something you’d never see on genuine sterling​. In an example cited by experts, a suspect piece looked shiny on the front, but when flipped over it revealed patchy discoloration and a base metal core (mostly nickel) – confirming it was a counterfeit​. Authentic sterling silver can tarnish (getting a grey or blackish patina that can be polished off), but it will not turn pink, orange, or peel. So if your “silver” Tiffany necklace is revealing a pinkish layer beneath scratches, it’s unfortunately not real.

Take a good look at recessed areas, undersides, and inside any hallmarks – these are spots where wear might expose a different metal on a fake. Tiffany jewelry isn’t made with low-grade metals or plating. Their rose gold pieces are crafted from solid 18k gold, and even their proprietary Rubedo® metal has its own stamp (“METAL”) to reflect its unique composition—not to be confused with gold or silver. The key point is consistent color and material. If anything looks like peeling plating, visible solder of a different color, or just not the quality you’d expect, trust your instincts.

Check for Laser-Inscribed Serial Numbers on Diamonds

If your Tiffany & Co. jewelry contains diamonds (such as an engagement ring or a piece from Tiffany’s high-end collections), there is an additional authenticity feature to look for. Starting in 2004, Tiffany & Co. began laser-inscribing a unique serial number on the girdle of their diamonds​. This number is microscopic and not visible to the naked eye, but with a jeweler’s loupe (10x magnification) or microscope, you should be able to spot it on genuine Tiffany diamonds from 2004 onward. The laser inscription typically corresponds to a Tiffany diamond certificate or record. When you purchase a Tiffany engagement ring, it typically comes with a certificate that includes a unique report number. That same number is often laser-inscribed on the diamond for verification purposes. If you have documentation, you can match the inscription to the paperwork.

When inspecting a diamond, don’t worry if you can’t see the inscription easily – it’s very small and usually laser-etched on the thin edge (girdle) of the stone. A professional jeweler or gemologist can help locate it. The presence of this serial number is a great sign your piece is authentic. Absence of an inscription on a relatively modern (post-2004) Tiffany diamond piece could indicate a replaced or non-Tiffany stone, though note that diamonds from before 2004 wouldn’t have it.

It’s also wise to evaluate the quality of the diamond or gemstone in the piece. Tiffany’s diamonds are carefully selected and consistently high quality. Most fall in the D-to-I color range and have excellent clarity—usually IF to VS2 for engagement rings. They don’t use cloudy or heavily included diamonds. If the diamond in your ring looks noticeably cloudy, tinted, or has obvious inclusions, that’s a red flag. In some cases, counterfeiters have taken genuine Tiffany settings and swapped in lower-grade stones or simulants like cubic zirconia. The ring itself might even have correct Tiffany hallmarks, but the stone is not Tiffany’s. Don’t rely solely on a Tiffany stamping on the setting to guarantee the stone is original – always examine the stone quality and see if there’s a laser inscription. Tiffany’s superior cutting and grading standards mean a genuine Tiffany diamond should sparkle brilliantly and appear very well-cut. If anything seems off, have the stone examined by an expert.

 Authentic Tiffany Packaging and Presentation

When you think of Tiffany & Co., one of the first images that comes to mind is the iconic Tiffany Blue® box tied with a white satin ribbon. Authentic Tiffany jewelry typically comes packaged in this robins-egg blue box along with a soft suede jewelry pouch in the same signature color. While packaging alone isn’t proof of authenticity, it can offer clues. Start by examining the packaging if you have it:

• Quality of Materials: Real Tiffany pouches are made of high-quality suede or velvety cloth, and the stitching is impeccably neat. Authentic Tiffany pouches use matching silk cords that are the same exact shade as the pouch itself—no contrast or mismatched threads. Lower-quality replicas often have messy stitching, uneven seams, or loose threads—especially on the inside where they think you won’t check. The drawstrings on fakes might be a cheap string that’s a different shade of blue or even white on the ends, whereas authentic drawstrings are perfectly color-matched and neatly knotted. If you turn an authentic pouch inside out, you’ll usually find it’s just as neatly constructed on the inside as the outside. That same attention to detail is usually missing in counterfeits—things like skipped stitching on snap flaps or inconsistencies inside the pouch are common giveaways.
  
• Logo and Wording: The famous “Tiffany & Co.” name is usually printed or embossed on the pouch or box lid in a crisp, centered manner. Check that the font and spacing of the logo on packaging looks correct. On real packaging, the logo is typically perfectly centered. Fake pouches sometimes have off-center logos or branding that’s placed too high or low compared to where it should be. The printing quality should be sharp — no bleeding ink or misaligned letters.

Do keep in mind that authentic packaging can sometimes be acquired separately, and counterfeiters have become adept at copying the boxes and pouches. Having the signature blue box and pouch is a positive sign, but on its own, it doesn’t confirm the piece is real—packaging can be reused or faked. Treat packaging as supporting evidence: high-quality, correct packaging plus a jewelry piece that passes all the other authenticity checks is what you want to see. Tiffany & Co. itself famously states that the Blue Box is only given with an actual Tiffany purchase and never sold separately, so if a seller claims to have a “Tiffany box” it should mean the jewelry was originally bought from Tiffany. But since boxes can be reused or faked, always inspect the jewelry itself just as carefully.

One more tip: Tiffany’s packaging tradition (blue box with white ribbon) is so strong that an item lacking any packaging is a bit more suspect if it’s supposed to be brand new. If you’re buying a “new” Tiffany piece from a third-party and it doesn’t include the box or pouch, ask why. It could simply be lost packaging, but it’s worth being cautious.

Does Tiffany Ever Authenticate Items?

By now, you’ve gathered a range of DIY methods to judge your piece’s authenticity – from scrutinizing hallmarks to weighing it in your hand. These steps can give you a very good indication in most cases. It’s important to note that Tiffany & Co. itself does not offer authentication services to the public​. If you walk into a Tiffany store with a second-hand piece and ask them to verify it, they will politely decline. They also will not appraise or issue new certificates for a piece that wasn’t purchased directly from them. This means it’s largely up to you as the consumer (or a trusted independent expert) to determine if a Tiffany item is real.

So, what should you do if you’re still unsure about an item’s authenticity? Here are a few general steps any consumer can take:

• Compare with Official Listings: Check the item against Tiffany’s website or catalog. Does the design exactly match a genuine Tiffany design? Look at details like placement of stamps and proportions. If something about the design differs (number of links, shape of clasp, etc.), you may have a fake.
  
• Get a Professional Evaluation: Consider taking the piece to a reputable jeweler or appraiser who has experience with designer jewelry. An expert can test the metal purity, examine the hallmarks under magnification, and even test diamonds or gemstones. (Be cautious of any third-party “authentication certificate” from an unknown source – stick with experienced jewelers or services known for dealing in high-end pieces.).
  
• Trust Your Instincts: This isn’t scientific, but it helps – if the deal seemed too good to be true, or the piece just doesn’t “feel” like quality when you handle it, you’re probably right to be suspicious. Authentic Tiffany jewelry exudes quality. If the item feels cheap or looks poorly made, walk away or return it if possible.

Have a Tiffany Piece You Want Evaluated?

At Precious Metals Refinery, we specialize in authenticating and buying pre-owned Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Whether you’re thinking about selling or just want peace of mind, our team offers free, no-pressure evaluations. We’ll carefully inspect the hallmarks, materials, and gemstones to confirm authenticity and give you a fair, competitive offer if you choose to sell.

Ready to get started? Visit one of our locations or schedule a free appraisal to find out what your Tiffany piece is really worth.