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By N. Bhatta - AOL
Once you've caught the online shopping bug, it's easy to be enticed by extremely low prices for designer goods. It's safe to bet that a steal on an expensive product sold secondhand may very well be legit, but when brand-new designer products are discounted down to nearly nothing, the chances of the item being fake are high. Here are some tips to spot signs of a sham before spending your savings on counterfeit goods.
How to Spot a Fake Diamond
Can you guess which is the real diamond and which is the fake?
If you guessed the left one as the fake, then you guessed right! Because fakes are much cheaper, their settings are often sloppier and are done with cheaper materials. A bulky, poorly constructed setting in a piece of diamond jewelry is almost a sure sign that the stone isn't real. Real diamonds are almost completely colorless - if when looking at the stone it has elements of color (other than a yellowish or blue tinge), it probably is fake. Also, real diamonds aren't transparent – you can't read text when looking through an upside-down authentic stone. Diamonds are extremely tough and should never have any scratches or nicks. If there are visible marks on the stone, it's probably not a real diamond. However, without a jeweler's loupe and a trained eye, it's rather difficult to tell apart some fake diamonds from authentic ones, so if the idea of owning a fake doesn't bother you and the price is right, consider going for it!
Buy the real thing: Diamond Rings
How to Spot Fake Burberry
How to Spot a Fake Memory Card
How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Many fakes can easily be figured out simply by checking to see if that particular style was ever made in the color it is available in. Often, counterfeiters choose to create their own patterns and color combinations, a quick Internet search will help you figure out what is and isn't fake. Next, before handing over hundreds of dollars, make sure that every single detail on the bag you're about to buy is also on the bag in actual department stores. Fakes often have extra feet, a different lining and other details that are off. If stitching and patterns are remotely off, chances are that it's a fake, as authentic Louis Vuitton handbags go through a rigorous quality check. Also, Louis Vuitton products will NEVER go on sale in a reputable department store -- it just doesn't happen, so buyer beware if a seller suggests that they are able to offer it at such a low price because they got it on sale.
Authentic Burberry patterns always match up on the sides and on the bottom of your item. If you have a handbag where there is a different pattern on the sides of the purse, it's probably a fake, as each side of an authentic Burberry is identical to the other. Fakers usually "forget" or use inexpensive versions of the embossed leather or metal tag that authenticates Burberry products. All Burberry wallets will have "Burberry-London" embossed on the left side. Hardware will only ever be gold or silver-toned on an authentic Burberry, and the hardware will always be neatly embossed with the word "Burberry." Just like other name brands, look on the company's Web site and scrutinize the item you're interested in to check for flaws and signs of fraud.
How to Spot Fake Fragrances
Spot spoof scents by comparing a photograph of the genuine fragrance from the manufacturer's Web site to the bottle you're considering buying. Usually fake fragrances aren't very careful when detail matching, so look for differences in the bottle shape, the cap, the sprayer head, and the sprayer inner tube. If you have the opportunity to test the actual liquid, scrutinize the liquid for too much oil, which is a common complaint in counterfeit perfumes. Also look for a change in coloring. Perhaps a larger problem is the sale of authentic yet old fragrances. After a few years on the shelf, the essence of the perfume begins to deteriorate and reputable stores often sell these expired fragrances to discount stores for a bargain basement price. When shopping online, feel free to ask vendors if their stock is fresh.
Buy the real thing: Vera Wang 'Princess' -- Sean Jean 'Unforgiveable'
How to Spot Fake
MAC's signature black packaging is quite matte, which separates it from the shinier fakes. The same matte, black coloring goes for
Buy the real thing: Lipstick -- Eyeliner -- Face Powder
How to Spot a Fake COACH Bag
On authentic COACH bags, the pattern will never be crooked, nor will any stitching be sloppy. All larger COACH bags have a number stamped onto the inside, with each numeral leaving a slight depression. Fakes will either omit the serial number or will just paint numbers onto the leather without creating an indentation into the fabric. The signature "CC" design will NEVER be on both the inside and the outside of an authentic COACH product. If your COACH item doesn't have the microscopic letters "YKK," embossed into the zipper, it is counterfeit.
Another sure bet it's probably a fake is if its not purchased at one of the following locations: COACH stores, COACH factory stores, COACH catalogues, authorized department stores, authorized speciality stores and catalogues, limited duty free locations, on the brand's official site.
If you're looking for a deal on a memory card, it's best to compare and contrast one you've purchased brand-new from a reputable place before looking at cheaper, potentially bogus cards. Fake memory cards usually are missing their serial number, or the number on the actual card doesn't match up to the number on the packaging. Also, fake memory cards are usually missing most of the grooves, notches, and insets around the edges of authentic cards. Holograms, as well as safety packaging, often are left out by counterfeiters when producing fake memory cards. Finally, to avoid lawsuits, counterfeiters usually misspell brand names and other pertinent information in the fine print, so check out every line before you buy.
Buy the real thing: Sandisk Cruzer Flash Drive -- PNY Attache Flash Drive
You can trust it's an original if you purchase through exclusive Louis Vuitton boutiques or through eluxury's site.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 27)
1. screw them all i hate all fakes its so annoying
Posted at 8:07PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by umpagannnna
2. Real diamonds have a colorless sparkle – if the stone gives out rainbow-colored light, it probably is fake
This is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. Diamonds are graded for how much color they give off and an E grade diamond ( the most expensive!!!!!!) will give off rainbow-colored light.
Posted at 8:12PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Catherine Miller
3. you people that are writing tohelp us need help...you are so wrong all LV faks and others have the ykk zippers, you need to do your homework so you can help us. and you are getting paid money!!????
Posted at 8:16PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by judith
4. as far as your diamonds??? get real
we all take out our tiffany setting diamonds and put in the cubics. our settings are perfect, you need to read up and do your homework
Posted at 8:16PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by judith
5. First place you don't buy any diamonds on t.v or in any pictures. you have to to see it with your eyes. when you do it might be a cc or glass? any time you pay $10.00 to $50.00 its going to be fake? John
Posted at 8:24PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by John Zavala
6. ALL zippers have ykk on em, fakes and real! god get a grip!
Posted at 8:24PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by lauren
7. To the lady who wrote the first comment...You are so wrong. E grade of color is NOT the most expensive, D is.
The highest in the color grade is D and the highest in clarity is IF. It is the color, clarity, cut and obviously the size of the stone that determines the price. As you go lower in the grading of the color the stone will appear to be more yellow. You should always go to a reputable place to buy your diamonds like Cartier or Tiffany....
Posted at 8:32PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by firouzeh
8. If you're going to call out the article for inconsistencies, be sure not to have any of your own. There is a grade higher and more expensive than E for diamonds, it's D. The rainbow "sparkle" comes from the numerous facets cut into the diamond that refract light like a prism. The more facets and the more colorless the diamond, the more sparkle. Maybe the article just didn't say it right - if you find a cheap diamond with lots of sparkle, it's likely a fake, because you are going to pay quite a bit for the level of brilliance that a real, almost colorless diamond will create.
Posted at 8:35PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Steph H.
9. Are you kidding me? I have a beautiful diamond that when the sun hits it a small rainbow is clear... that's part of the beauty! And by no means would I take YOUR advise and go back to the jeweler to insult them that it's fake! Boy you have some real RESEARCH to do before you tell people this stupid stuff!!
Posted at 8:36PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Maggie
10. "D" is the colorless diamond, not E...do your homework!
Posted at 8:36PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by paula
11. cathy please the most expensive diamond is a d grad flawless diamond which will run you for a one ct at the min of 20gs. so get your facts straight before you try to sound all smart about diamond. i am a jewelry sales person for one of the biggest retail marketers of diamond engagement rings. if you must know the price does go according to the 4C's so you can have a d in color f in clarity and 6 ct and emerald cut diamond that will run you in excess of 150.000 dollars. so please learn what you are talking about first b4 saying it on here.
Posted at 8:40PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by alexis
12. I am a Gemologist. A Cubic Z, has many bright orange highlights when a penlight is moved over the stone. When you tilt the fake CZ stone away from your body the fake stone will have a blank spot that looks black somewere in the top. Real diamonds have no blank black looking spots no matter where, or how you tip them. Usually a diamond that is reasonable in cost, ( Under a thousand dollars,) looks very dull compaired to a top quality Diamond. Lively or flashy Diamonds are VERY EXPENSIVE. Do NOT expect a flashy Diamond for the prices you pay in local Jewelry stores. Most Diamonds are priced for the average family. Expect a flashing fancy Diamond ring to cost $6,000, to 150,000 or more. YOU do get what you pay for!
Posted at 8:40PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Dorothy L. Snell
13. My diamond is an E color VS1 Diamond and it gives off beautiful color. And the sparkle is like fire! You guys are pretty stupid and maybe youv'e been buying the real crap stones.
Posted at 8:42PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by MK
14. as for bags people that buy fake bags, buy it for show they do not care if it has serial numbers on them or not. the buy it for the price and want to show off to their friend or family
Posted at 8:42PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by bob
15. All you people need to learn how to spell
Posted at 8:43PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Claudia Benack
16. Omg.I love louis vuitton. I mean,dont buy a fake louis,coach or chanel if theyre fake.i mean u may love them,bbut ppl find out theyre fake and theyre waayyyy cheap.Diamonds,well idk.Tiffany and co always has the real stuff.kohls and ebay no.i know alot about deigner things so if u wnt 2 know more email me at xoreelyblondexo@aol.com and btw louis vuitton or any kind of designer,hav numbers tagged in to the purse.simple!
Posted at 8:43PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by xoreelyblondexo
17. I just checked my real Lv's and they do not have ykk zippers. They have a large LV on the zipper which is overlapped. On my wallet the zipper has louis vitton in kind of circle. The zipper tabs are also shaped differently..I bought all of my LV's at LV boutiques and when they were a bag that was being discontinued the price went up. Not on sale.
Posted at 8:45PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by alison garner
18. If a diamond has a scratch on it it can be real! One diamond can scratch another one, that is not placed carefully in the proper area of your jewelcase. So get to know diamonds and you can get some good prices if you learn how to really know a fake form the Zirondmonds, CZ! Just enjoy your jewelry, but wearing real diamonds are so much nicer if you can afford them.
Posted at 8:48PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Cheryl
19. JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU NOT TO BELIEVE ARTICLES WRITTEN BY AOL EMPLOYEES! LOL I HAVE A HALF CARAT DIAMOND THAT COST $1,400.00 IN 1975, AND A 2 CARAT CZ AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF SPARKLE AND RAINBOW COLORS DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF SUNLIGHT THAT HITS THEM AND THE ANGLE! THE ONLY WAY TO TELL A REAL FROM A FAKE IS TO HAVE A JEWELER CHECK IT - THE HUMAN EYE CAN'T TELL!
Posted at 8:49PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Kathy
20. Diamonds are a spectrum, a spectrum is an array of entities, as wavelength or mass: often the band of colors produced when sunlight is passed through a prism, comprising red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet....spectrums contain colors...hence a REAL DIAMOND should give off colors...you learn that in the 4th grade...come on now!!!
Posted at 8:49PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by cyndy