First off, why even *care* if it’s fake? Well, duh, you’re paying for the *Givenchy* name. A real Givenchy piece, even vintage, should have a certain quality. Like, you’d expect the metal to feel substantial, not some cheap-o pot metal that’s gonna turn your skin green. Also, there’s the whole… ethical thing? Supporting counterfeiters is kinda… not great. Just sayin’.
Now, spotting a fake can be tricky. I mean, these scammers are getting *good*. Like, *really* good. One thing I always look for is the clasp. A flimsy clasp is a red flag. Givenchy, even back in the day, used good hardware. It should feel secure, not like it’s gonna pop open and lose your precious pin in the middle of the grocery store aisle. Trust me, been there, almost done that. Catastrophe averted only by sheer luck and a quick grab.
Then there’s the markings. The “Givenchy” signature. This is where things get dicey. Check that font *carefully*. Are the letters spaced correctly? Is the engraving crisp and clean, or kinda blurry and uneven? That blurry look is a big ol’ no-no. It’s like they rushed it, you know? Like they couldn’t be bothered to get the details right. Sloppy work = probably fake. Plus, I saw somewhere that fake ones sometimes have thinner inscriptions on the wash tags (wait, pins don’t have wash tags, do they? Okay, maybe that’s for clothes… but still, details matter!).
And the materials! If it’s supposed to have rhinestones, are they glued on wonky? Are they the cheap, plastic-y kind that look like they came out of a gumball machine? Real rhinestones (or even good quality faux ones) should have some sparkle and depth. They shouldn’t look dull and lifeless.
Honestly, my best advice? Do your homework. Research real Givenchy pins from the era you’re looking at. Get familiar with the designs, the materials, the clasps, everything. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to spot a fake.
And if the price seems too good to be true? Yeah, you know the drill. It probably is. Nobody’s gonna sell you a genuine vintage Givenchy brooch for five bucks. Well, maybe they *would* if they didn’t know what they had, but that’s like winning the lottery. Don’t count on it.
Oh, and uh, I once bought a “vintage” pin off of… well, let’s just say a slightly shady online marketplace. It looked *amazing* in the pictures. Arrived and… yikes. The gold plating was flaking off, the clasp was held together with what looked like hot glue, and the whole thing smelled faintly of… cat pee? Okay, maybe not cat pee, but *something* unpleasant. Lesson learned: sometimes, you gotta see it in person. Or at least buy from a reputable seller with good reviews.