It all started in 1924 in the goldsmiths centre of Valenza, Italy known for world renowned production of jewelry and antique pieces made with great craftsmanship. This is where Enrico Grassi Damiani began designing and creating jewelry with diamonds. He soon became the trusted jeweler for nobility and highly acclaimed in the space as a master goldsmith known for sublime shapes, quality gems and excellent craftsmanship that stood the test of time.

Damiani’s brand has been linked to many celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Tilda Swinton, Sharon Stone and Isabella Rossellini amongst many other celebrities who have collaborated with the brand.

But what makes this brand truly unique is the infamous pairing it underwent with Hollywood’s “IT” couple back in the early 2000s. Brad Pitt teamed up with Damiani to custom make a ring for his wedding with Jennifer Aniston. This design became highly popular, but quickly spiraled into backlash against the company for selling reproductions of the custom ring to the rest of the world. The dispute eventually fizzled out ending with a $50 million lawsuit and an agreement that Brad Pitt would end up collaborating to co-design with Damiani on further collections. This alliance eventually turned into one of the most effective marketing campaigns in the industry.

To this day Damiani is recognized worldwide for designs such as the Brad Pitt 18K Rose Gold Diamond Band Ring. The brand is one of the most valued jewelry brands because of its combination of creativity, research, innovation, and traditional roots that stem to the epicenter of jewelry craftsmanship. Today the Damiani Group proudly claims ownership of an admirable portfolio of complementary brands including, Damiani, Salvini, Alfieri & St. John, Bliss, Calderoni and Rocca, the jewelry and high end watch chain.

These days, it is far too easy to be duped by a fake watch. Counterfeiters have taken extensive measures to ensure that their products closely resemble those of authentic luxury brands, so telling the difference between a real Cartier and a copy is not as easy as making sure the brand name is spelled correctly on the watch’s face anymore.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular brand that counterfeiters base their fake goods on is Rolex. Because the brand has a universally-recognized name that evokes wealth and status, Rolex models are incredibly susceptible to counterfeit. Other popular brands include Audemars Piguet, Panerai, and Omega, each of which uses specific nuances that distinguish its individual timepieces from the rest. With a view to make sure you avoid counterfeit watch scams, we have compiled this quick guide to suss out whether that watch you’re considering is authentic or not.

Rolex

The most popular luxury watch brand to fake is also, luckily, the one with the most brand-specific details that you can use to authenticate a watch you’re eyeing. Out of these details, the most common ones that counterfeiters get wrong include the design of the caseback, the date window, and the watch’s engravings.

Contrary to popular belief, Rolex watches usually have very plain casebacks. With few exceptions, like the Cellini Prince and Sea Dweller models, the brand’s casebacks are solid with no engravings. If a watch claims to be Rolex and has a clear or skeleton caseback or has an engraved caseback, it is most likely fake.

Rolex’s date complications, while visually simple, actually involve a complex piece of glass technology called a cyclops. Rolex’s cyclopes are made in a very specific way that is difficult to replicate. This convex magnification lens covers the date window and magnifies the date 2.5x. Most counterfeiters will probably not pay attention to such a minute detail, so they end up using 1.5x magnification lenses on their fake products.

Finally, pay attention to the watch’s engraving, including the text on the dial. Every piece of text on a Rolex watch should be engraved or etched into the material, not simply printed or stamped on. Obviously, any spelling mistakes, smudges, line mistakes and font irregularities are key giveaways for a counterfeit watch. Real Rolexes created after 2002 also have an incredibly small micro-etching on the crystal that protects the face. This etching is a series of tiny dots arranged to form the Rolex crown logo, and it appears below the 6 o’clock on the watch’s face.

Audemars Piguet

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore is arguably the brand’s most sought-after model, so naturally, it is also the one that is most likely to be counterfeited.  Like most fake luxury products, the counterfeiters behind this watch’s cheap replicas will likely miss many of the minute details that make the originals so desirable. When in the market for the Royal Oak, here are the big things to look for to suss out a fake model: the dial’s markings and Tapisserie pattern, the size of the case, and other easy-to-overlook details.

An Audemars Piguet dial has a very specific design that forgers often slip up on. For example, on counterfeit pieces with black dials, the numerals will often be missing a metal surround. Or, more commonly, forgers will either forgo the complicated Tapisserie pattern on the dial completely, or botch the design. Also, while genuine Royal Oaks have a bright and consistent luminous quality to them, counterfeiters will not have the same kind of glow due to the cheap phosphorescent glowing solution they apply to fake models.

The date complication is always easy to flub because each brand uses a different cyclops with different magnification levels. As such, this is a good way to spot a fake watch, especially if you are already familiar with how a genuine date complication from a specific brand should look. For Audemars Piguet counterfeits, the dial will usually be too far over to the right side of the watch.

Just as most forged watches are usually much lighter than their original counterparts due to the quality of their metal casings, they also tend to be incorrectly sized. Fake Audemars Piguet casebacks are often much thicker than those of the authentic models.

Panerai

The details that go into Panerai’s craftsmanship are integral to the functionality and longevity of their watches, but on counterfeit pieces, the minutiae are often forgotten in favor of cheaper production costs. To that end, the unique characteristics that distinguish Panerai watches, like hand-sewn leather and twisted lugs, are left off their forged counterparts. These are the details you need to think about when picking up a Panerai that might not be authentic.

Because forgers don’t use high-quality marking tools, the engravings on Panerai counterfeits, like on most counterfeit watches, are likely going to be subpar. Where on the originals the markings will be deep, clearly cut out and clean of mistakes, forged watches will have blurry markings with soft edges that were made using acid that leaves a sandy-looking finish on the lettering. Sometimes, forgers will leave out engraved details entirely, like the engraving of the Panerai logo and a reference number on the buckle of every watch.

To ensure that their hand-sewn leather straps aren’t subjected to too much wear and tear from proximity to the hardware, Panerai uses twisted lugs to keep the strap a millimeter away from the case and to improve the strap’s grip on the wrist. Forgers tend to use standard flat lugs to save money.

Omega

Like the others on this list, Omega is one of the most highly-respected luxury watch brands on the market. Their designs strike the perfect balance between style and functionality, which is why, when forgers play mix-and-match with the elements of fake Omega watches, the difference in aesthetic and in performance is palpable.

This is one of the most important things to look out for, as it is common for counterfeiters to swap out a watch’s complicated movement for a cheaper, simpler one, or to switch one watch’s caseback for that of another. If the Omega you are eyeing contains elements from models from different collections, like a Speedmaster face fastened onto what appears to be the body of a Seamaster, then it’s probably fake.

In the same vein, if the watch has non-functioning dials or multiple crown positions but no complications, the piece is most likely a counterfeit. Forgers tend not to bother with replicating the functions of Omega watches because the additional parts and labor will hike up the overhead price, so check the functions of your Omega watch and make sure each crown position controls a corresponding complication on the piece.

Naturally, all counterfeit watches are not the same, and it can be very difficult sometimes to gauge whether a watch is truly authentic or not, especially with the advances in technology that have made production cheaper and easier. If you have serious doubts about a watch, your best bet is to bring it to a professional who can tell you with absolute certainty whether your piece is the real thing or not.

Also, as always, remember to buy from a trusted source. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer that has your best interests in mind.

What’s come to be one of the most highly coveted and recognized bags in the fashion industry, originally started from serendipitous beginnings. With waiting lists that have spanned up to six years and price tags that have crossed into the hundreds of thousands, it’s no question why the no logo Birkin bag has grown in popularity.

In 1981, singer and actress Jane Birkin had been upgraded by Air France on a flight from Paris to London. Jane was known for carrying around large straw bags to hold her possessions instead of the traditional purse. Just after placing her stuffed straw bag into the overhead compartment, all of her contents fell to the floor.

What soon commenced thereafter was a scramble to pick up the clutter followed by a familiar rant many of us have encountered. It was mere coincidence that she happened to be sitting next to Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas, who quickly picked up on Birkin’s apparent annoyance that it was difficult to find a nice weekend bag that was big enough and had pockets, larger than the Hermès Kelly and smaller than the Serge Gainsbourg suitcase. This fortuitous event created the impetus behind the birth of the first Hermès Birkin bag.

In 1984, Dumas created the spacious black leather bag based on another 1982 Hermès design for Birkin. The rest is history, as they say, with the Hermès Birkin becoming one of the most sought after iconic designer handbags in the world. One of the most expensive is the saltwater crocodile skin, with the lining most typically goatskin.

Every Hermès Birkin has been handmade in France by expert artisans who hand-sew, buff, paint, and polish each and every bag, taking several days to finish. Because of this, each Hermès Birkin is unique in its own way. They come in a range of sizes (25, 30, 35, 40, 50 and 55 centimeters), colors (pink, red, brown, baby blue, navy blue, olive green, orange, white, black, and golden tan) and materials (calf leather, ostrich, crocodile, and lizard), while still maintaining their signature rectangular shape with number-coded lockable flap closure with keys, buckle, and arm handles. The hardware is typically plated with a precious metal such as gold or palladium so it will not tarnish.

For these reasons, there’s no surprise why celebrities such as Rachel Zoe, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Katie Holmes, Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rita Ora, and Eva Longoria have all been spotted with a birkin or two in hand. Not only can they hold your necessities together with style, but appreciate in value over time.

Time It Right
Make sure you don’t wait till the very last minute to get your wedding jewelry. This way you’ll have the option to change your mind as well as make sure everything reaches you well in advance.

Make Sure You Match
Make sure your jewelry goes well with your dress in terms of formality, cut and color.

Options, Options & More Options!
Order yourself enough options so that you can always switch things around in cases of emergencies.

Pop of color
You can always add a pop of color to your look through your jewelry. Why not have your earrings be your something blue? Or match the color of your jewelry to your shoes or the flowers.

Optimize
Here are a few ways you can always re-wear that expensive wedding jewelry you spent a fortune on:
– Take your fun chandelier earrings on your honeymoon or wear them to a girl’s night out.
– Wear that large bracelet to a formal dinner.
– Wear some of the smaller pieces to a friend’s wedding. Just make sure not to upstage the bride!
– Add some sparkle to your basic jeans or that elegant little black dress by wearing your wedding necklace.
– Bring in the New Year with some of your best bling.
– Reminisce by putting on your favorite piece on your anniversary and relive the best day of your life!

When evaluating a diamond, there are several factors that come into play that affect the quality and value of the stone. We in the industry like to call them the 4 Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat. The following is a guide to help you use the 4 Cs to evaluate a diamond so you can better ascertain its worth.

Counterintuitively enough, color actually refers to a lack of color in a diamond, which can have a natural yellow tint. Therefore, colorless diamonds are rarer and more valuable. Color ranks as the second most important diamond characteristic, just after cut, which creates that immediately impressive sparkle.

How many watches is too many? When have you stopped being an aficionado and simply become a hoarder?

True watch lovers are obviously scoffing at the moment. They sincerely believe that you can never have too many. That every year, there’s another time telling masterpiece to lust over and aim for. Combine that with the love for vintages and you will never run out of pieces to collect.

While we agree with that statement, we do believe that there is a limit. Simply buying watches because you need something to splurge on or to boast of your collection isn’t true collecting. Having a drawer full of junk watches that you picked up from wherever shouldn’t count. And owning watches that you don’t value is simply a waste.

Simply put – watch collecting is a matter of quality over quantity. It may be better to own fewer, one of a kind truly amazing pieces that tens of cheap watches. To read more about which watch is meant for you, check out our Guide at TrueFacet.com

This last week was the annual JCK Event where over tens of thousands of designers, jewelers, and watch brands converged to showcase new designs and trends for the upcoming season. The show started out with a splash, with musician Janelle Monae jumping into the pool at the Wynn after her performance for the Couture audience and then came to a close with Rob Thomas rocking the beach at the Mandalay.

During JCK, Amanda Gizza, a director at Jewelers of America gave a talk on interesting trends for Summer and Fall 2014 that was highly informative.

She presented 14 jewelry trends to look for that are changing the way you dress! These included abstract minimalism, movement jewelry, graphic futurism, three-dimensional patterns, byzantine inspiration, modern royalty, confetti, instant messaging, experimental nature, prismaticity, rococo fantasy, mysterious constructions, mystic odyssey, and origami.

“There are trends that are really trendy and trends that are going to last,” she said. “In jewelry those are the ones we are interested in. A lot of these trends are timeless, they are never going to go out of style, they just happen to be of the moment.” Gizzi also stated the trend of the year is the horse and anything equestrian inspired.

We scoured the luxury section of JCK and it was just full of bright colors. We forecast that intricate colorful earring drops, rings, and necklace sets will be hot this year. Fashion bracelets in plated gold and sterling silver with a touch of colorful stones made a hit as well. The color palette we expect for the rest of 2014 includes four Pantone colors as the top ones for the season: Aurora Red, Radiant Orchid, Royal Blue, and Sangria.

There were also several new red carpet trends including hand chains, nontraditional rings and earrings, ear climbers and wearing just one earring or non-matching earrings, and color drop earrings.

For more tips on trends, contact us anytime at support@TrueFacet.com or (800) 690-3736.

With the volatile markets and growth of designer jewelry purchases over the last 5 years, there has been an increase in the availability or pre-owned jewelry on the market. Also known as estate, pre-owned, used and refurbished, there are hundreds of stores out there as well as online that buy, promote and sell the items. However, whether to buy it or not is a totally different question.

The biggest advantage of buying used jewelry over brand new pieces is the price. Pre-owned jewelry has to be cheaper than its brand new counterparts often between 30-50%. And considering that worn jewelry shows very little signs, a great piece can be a great steal.

But this doesn’t mean that used jewelry is completely brand new either. Prongs may have widened and clasps may have loosened. So if you do find a piece that you love, make sure that the fix all the tiny glitches before you pay up.

A lot of pre-owned jewelry will come unverified. Silver may be passed off as gold and zircon as diamonds. So be very, very careful when making these purchases and ask for appraisals or try to stick to reputed and trusted sources such as TrueFacet.com