Ugh! Another fake "guaranteed Tahitian." This time on TrueFacet.com

[jshepherd]

I am not sure how this came across my screen recently. At first I thought it was another "Real Real" piece, but it's a similar site with the same sort of guarantees.
https://www.truefacet.com/christina...tian-pearl-amethyst-carved-bead-necklace.html

I don't know anything about amethyst, but I know those are dyed Chinese freshwater pearls.

A quick Google search of the name pulled this eBay auction up as well. It's the same piece with one extra photo that takes all question out of the equation. It's clearly dyed Chinese freshwater.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHRISTINA-F...L-AMETHYST-CARVED-BEAD-NECKLACE-/281702962632

I emailed both True Facet and the seller, who happens to be right down the street from here - Nadine Krakov in Beverly Hills. From their site (http://beverlyhillsjewelry.net/) it appears they deal in antique and estate jewelry. No response from either of them.

Just like the "Tahitian" freshwater pieces on Real Real, it's very possible they simply can't tell the difference between a valuable Tahitian pearl and a nearly valueless commercial grade dyed Chinese pearl, but then why sell it and why guarantee its authenticity?

 

[JerseyPearl]

As Tahitians grow in popularity, so too grows the drive to sell to customers requesting them.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

It's not amethyst either.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The "amethyst" beads look like Swarovski (or even Czech glass beads.)

 

[Tucs]

The pearls don't even look good in the vendor photo. Who would spend $900 on that?

 

[pattye]

Oh, MERCY!! That's horrible! So many ways to go wrong in the pearl world these days~ugh. I agree, crystals of some sort, too. I'll be surprised if you get a reply, Jeremy.

 

[dkan 168]

900 USD for that necklace that costs probably a tenth or less to make!!!

DK

 

[CathyKeshi]

And it's strung on ... string??? The only "18K Gold" appears to be a clasp and tag, if that is even accurate.

 

[Katbran]

Wasn't there another eBay 'estate' seller from Beverly Hills that sold shonky pearls? I agree about the 'Amethyst ' they look like Swarovski. Geeez so many crooks out there.

 

[ckrickett]

blech.....

 

[JerseyPearl]

Interesting this necklace is a piece by: Christina Ferrare. Fun fact, she was John DeLorean's wife (yes, as in the Back to the Future car!)
ckrickett, I totally agree!!

 

[Claude Michel]

Kudos

Kudos

I am not sure how this came across my screen recently. At first I thought it was another "Real Real" piece, but it's a similar site with the same sort of guarantees.
https://www.truefacet.com/christina...tian-pearl-amethyst-carved-bead-necklace.html

I don't know anything about amethyst, but I know those are dyed Chinese freshwater pearls.

A quick Google search of the name pulled this eBay auction up as well. It's the same piece with one extra photo that takes all question out of the equation. It's clearly dyed Chinese freshwater.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHRISTINA-F...L-AMETHYST-CARVED-BEAD-NECKLACE-/281702962632

I emailed both True Facet and the seller, who happens to be right down the street from here - Nadine Krakov in Beverly Hills. From their site (http://beverlyhillsjewelry.net/) it appears they deal in antique and estate jewelry. No response from either of them.

Just like the "Tahitian" freshwater pieces on Real Real, it's very possible they simply can't tell the difference between a valuable Tahitian pearl and a nearly valueless commercial grade dyed Chinese pearl, but then why sell it and why guarantee its authenticity?

Thanks Josh.
The only way we can protect the "real industry" is by denouncing the fake one. Keep up the good work. I do not comment a lot on this forum but this is a important issue that is at the core of mistrust in the industry. I fight this everyday. I do not mind Tahitian or chinese or fijian or Cook Island pearls.... as long as they are sold as such. Every taste are in the nature.

Thanks again

A fijian Pearl Farmer.

 

[JerseyPearl]

Yours is a reminder that there are real people behind these pearls...

I suspect that as their popularity grows, unfortunately, so too grows the possibility for mislabeling through ignorance or deceit. This is a retailer who should have known better.

 

[SunSeeker]

Are there any consequences to merchants who make these false claims?

 

[Marianne]

There do not seem to be consequences because there are so many fraudulent listings out there. $900 for dyed FW potato pearls and glass… sheesh!

 

[CathyKeshi]

And String! Marianne ... don't forget the value of the string ... sigh.