How to Spot Fake from Real Genuine Antique Jewelry

art nouveau mermaid painting (click photo for courtesy)

Art Nouveau (pronounced as 'nuvou') began in the 1890's. It refers to the style of intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms. See the picture below for an example of Art Nouveau ring (courtesy of Marigold & Georgie).

Fake Art Nouveau pieces have been around as early as the 60's, and even before. They often are in the form of small silver brooches of flat cast form decorated with the head of an Art Nouveau maiden.

So how do you spot a fake jewelry? For one, if it is a brooch, check the pin. If it is not quite in keeping with the older varieties, that's a major giveaway.

Secondly, the fake version's casting tend to be coarser, so the jewelry will lack details that the real ones would have. The more intricate the design, the better chance for it to be genuine.

Art Deco Jewelry

Reproduction jewelries of Art Deco period (1920's - 1930's) are rampant in this part of the world (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore). The biggest giveaway is that they are rowed up in quantity - if you don't know this already, you should facepalm yourself now. (Since I can't be there to do it! *hehe*)

Cheap price is another giveaway. The materials they use are marcasite, black onyx and jade (some are glass look-a-likes too! Most tend to be silver mounted. To spot a fake, look for brightness of finish, lack of wear and glued stones rather than claw or roll mounted stones.

Example of Art Nouveau style reproduction jewelry:

oxidized brass stamping of an Art Nouveau style woman in a garden scene

Let me know if you have some tips for shopping antiques as well! Thanks hun!