How to Spot a Fake Swarovski Ornament

There’s no doubt that Swarovski ornaments are admired worldwide for their exquisite beauty, precision cuts, and stunning clarity that makes each ornament brilliantly unique. Each piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, which actually makes it fairly simple to distinguish a genuine Swarovski ornament from a counterfeit - once you know what to look for of course. 

Unfortunately, the high demand for Swarovski ornaments has resulted in a surge of fake ornaments on the market, but we’ve got tips to help you identify the key features of an authentic Swarovski ornament and how to avoid accidentally purchasing a fake.

Examine the quality of the crystal

First of all, we recommend examining the quality of the crystal, especially considering that one of the most defining features of a Swarovski ornament is the crystal itself. Swarovski crystals are renowned for their flawless clarity and radiant sparkle, which is all thanks to a specialised manufacturing process that uses high-quality glass. 

These are things to check when it comes to crystal quality:

• Clarity of the crystal - Genuine Swarovski crystals are perfectly clear, with no bubbles, streaks, or other imperfections. If the ornament appears cloudy, dull, or has visible bubbles inside, it’s likely a fake.
• Brilliance of the crystal - Swarovski crystals have an unmistakable sparkle due to their high refractive index to the point that when held up to the light, they create a vibrant, rainbow-like reflection. Fake ornaments will often not have this level of brilliance and may have a flatter, less vibrant appearance.

Inspect how precise the cut of the crystal is

Another hallmark of an authentic Swarovski ornament is the precision of the cut, and that is because Swarovski only uses advanced cutting technology to ensure each crystal is perfectly symmetrical and precisely faceted.

• Sharp facets - Facets are the flat surfaces on a crystal ornament that are cut and arranged in a geometric pattern to reflect and refract light. The facets on Swarovski ornaments should be sharp, well-defined, and uniform, whereas fake crystal ornaments may have uneven, poorly cut, or rounded facets, which lack the crispness of a genuine Swarovski crystal.
• Check how symmetrical the ornament is - When looking at a Swarovski ornament, the facets should be identical in size and shape, because of the high quality craftsmanship. Uneven or mismatched facets are a clear sign of a fake, so best to avoid those if you think something looks off.

Look for the etched Swarovski logo

Since 1989, every Swarovski ornament should feature an etched logo on the crystal, which is most commonly represented by a swan. This logo is a stamp of authenticity and quality, so you should pay close attention to it if you’re looking to spot a genuine from a fake. 

• The position of the logo - The swan logo will usually be found on the base or side of the crystal, but on larger ornaments, it may be easier to spot. You may need to use a magnifying glass if needed to find and inspect the logo.
• The detailing of the logo - The logo should be etched with precision, featuring clean lines and sharp details, whereas a fake crystal ornament may have a poorly etched, blurry, or misshaped logo, which is a clear red flag.

Pay special attention to the packaging

Authentic Swarovski ornaments will only come in high-quality packaging that reflects the brand’s attention to detail. The packaging should include a certificate of authenticity, a Swarovski-branded box, and sometimes a small booklet about the product, so make sure you check for all of these if you are concerned your ornament might be fake. 

Certificate of authenticity - Inside the box, you’ll find a certificate of authenticity or warranty card which will verify the ornament’s authenticity and may include a serial number. Fakes often won’t have this certificate, or it may appear cheaply printed or poorly made so it should be fairly obvious from this alone.

Check the weight of the ornament

Swarovski ornaments are made from high-quality materials that tend to be slightly heavier than their counterfeit counterparts. Although checking the weight of a crystal ornament isn't a foolproof method of determining authenticity, a genuine Swarovski ornament will usually feel more substantial in your hand than a cheaper, less well-made crystal ornament. 

Authentic Swarovski ornaments will have a solid, weighted feel due to the high-quality crystal and meticulous craftsmanship. If the ornament feels particularly light or cheap, it may be a counterfeit, so it could be a quick check to help you know whether or not you’re getting the real deal.

How to tell if a swarovski crystal ornament is real

When examining a Swarovski ornament, consider all the tips we’ve mentioned above, but pay special attention to the details of the crystal. If you’re still unsure whether the ornament is genuine, you can reach out directly to Swarovski as their customer service team may be able to assist with verification or direct you to an authorised retailer for a thorough inspection.

Our top tips for purchasing genuine Swarovski ornaments

• Buy from authorised retailers -  This is the most reliable way to ensure that your crystal ornament is authentic, because when you buy directly from a retailer like us, you have the added assurance of our return policy and customer support.
• Keep receipts and documentation of your purchase - Once you’ve purchased an ornament, keep all packaging, receipts, and certificates of authenticity as this can help you verify the ornament’s authenticity in the future and may be required if you decide to resell it.

Spotting a fake Swarovski ornament can be challenging, but by paying attention to key details can help you make a more informed purchase. When in doubt, only buy from authorised sellers (like us), avoid deals that seem too good to be true, and verify the seller’s credentials. If you follow these guidelines, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the beauty of genuine Swarovski ornaments with confidence.

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