Quick - authentication help needed please!

[LD]

I've posted in another part of the forum but because I've only got 2 hours to decide I need your help please!!!!

I'm about to buy a 2ct diamond bracelet that I think may be a Louis Vuitton original. It's not being sold as such because the seller can't authenticate and was honest in telling me so. I emailed photos to Louis Vuitton customer services who haven't replied so I'm stuck!

Do I buy and hope for the best? Are there tell-tale signs I should look for please?

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[ruby59]

Does the seller offer a return policy? Can you make it contingent on the fact that if when you have it appraised it is not a genuine Louie Vitton piece that you can return it?

 

[SCDP]

Would you love it even if it turned out not to be a LV original? That would probably be how I would decide.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi LD,

I would suggest talking to LV on the phone. I called them about a handbag I wanted refurbished and they told me to contact NY, which I did. We discovered, just by my description that it was not an original LV handbag. They were so nice.
Or, ask the seller if you can have it authenticated before the sale is final. Then go to London and see what they say. Of course, make an appointment first. Must be a hallmark of some kind on the piece.
E-mail takes too long!.

Annette

 

[LD]

I do like the bracelet and actually (hangs head in shame) hadn't even realised it was Louis Vuitton - which sort of answers the question! The seller isn't selling it as a LV but merely as a diamond bracelet and the price at the moment is only just over scrap value for the gold alone so I probably won't be losing out if I buy it and it turns out to be Chinese!

I've searched the LV website and of course because this is old there's not one the same - similar but not the same.

Smit - I did phone Bond Street which is how I got their email addy but they weren't very helpful! I will phone LV NY tomorrow but may just have to buy it and hope for the best. There isn't (I don't think) a makers mark although there is a hallmark stating that it's 18k. I guess if I don't like it I can always sell it on anyway!

 

[LD]

Just noticed that there may be a hallmark just under the 18k sign. Does this look like a Louis Vuitton hallmark to you please?

 

[ruby59]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vuitton

I have liked to their wiki page. To the right you will see the makers' mark that they use on all their products.

 

[LD]

Hi Ruby

I've actually realised that with the time difference I could call the NY store - they were incredibly helpful but the bad news is that they don't authenticate. However, the good news is that from my description he thinks it may be a limited piece (possibly even just for the runway) and therefore if I were to take it into the London store they may be able to help! Interestingly, their hallmark changes - sometimes it's a flower, sometimes it's the LV etc etc!

Thanks for taking the time for do a bit of research for me though. Much appreciated. x

 

[ruby59]

You are very welcome. And good eye on a great find.