Van Cleef & Arpels "Alhambra" Bracelet: How to Spot a Counterfeit?

The story of the "Alhambra" bracelet began in 1968 with a sautoir. Decades later, it has become a benchmark that has profoundly influenced the history of jewellery. This jewel is light and simple, all gold and easy to wear. It goes perfectly with any style, adding a touch of elegance to the arm. Unfortunately, in the face of such notoriety, crooks are putting fake jewellery from the luxury brand up for sale on second-hand websites, leading you to believe that it's genuine Van Cleef when it's not. That's why, if you want to buy your jewellery second-hand or outside an official shop, we've given you our tips on how to spot a genuine Alhambra bracelet from a fake.

Stamping:

Start by paying particular attention to the stamping on your luxury jewellery. It tells you a lot about the authenticity of your accessory. The brand uses only 18-carat gold. As a result, each piece is stamped with the number '750' to indicate that the metal is pure.

Counterfeiters make this engraving, but it is not as it should be. In fact, it is engraved in a different font. The letters are thin and narrow, unlike an authentic bracelet on which the font is densely engraved, giving it a unique, clean and precise appearance.

The shape :

Now let's look at the shape of the Alhambra bracelet. This is poorly reproduced by crooks. The brand has put in place a precise and meticulous process to ensure that the shape is impeccable.

Indeed, at each stage in the manufacture of this piece, the measurements are checked to ensure that they are consistent. Van Cleef's expertise is evident in this area.

Bracelets from replica factories regularly forget this phase, or it is carried out incorrectly.

On the left, a real Alhambra bracelet, on the right, a replica bracelet

Finishes :

The materials used to make these bracelets are of extremely high quality, justifying their price. The brand places great importance on quality and finish.

If your jewellery has the slightest defect, such as scratches, dull colours or anything else, you are most likely dealing with a bracelet from a counterfeit factory. Any stone that looks detached in the Alhambra pattern is also an important warning sign.

The clasp :

Let's take a look at the clasp on your Van Cleef jewellery and, more specifically, the brand's signature on it. Although the brand has changed over the years, we can still find the inscription "Van Cleef & Arpels" or "VCA" on the clasp.

Some counterfeiters forget to put the brand's signature on the bracelets. If this is the case, you can immediately tell that you are looking at a replica of the Alhambra.

On the left, a real Van Cleef clasp, on the right, a fake Alhambra bracelet clasp.

Want to find out more about luxury brand jewellery? Check out our articles on Tiffany & Co jewellery, the Cartier clou bracelet and the Hermès clic clac h bracelet.

Serial number :

The last point to pay attention to is the serial number on the Van Cleef bracelet. This is next to the brand inscription. Some replica factories reproduce this bracelet without the serial number.

You can check that this serial number corresponds to a genuine one from the luxury jewellery brand by visiting the Van Cleef website. However, it is not uncommon for fraudsters to copy real serial numbers.

Secure the purchase of your second-hand Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet with Obvy :

If you wish to buy your Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet on resale platforms between private individuals, we advise you to go through Obvy to secure your transaction.

Obvy is a secure payment platform that helps you avoid the scams that are common in transactions between private individuals. When you make a transaction on Obvy, the funds are only credited to your seller when the buyer certifies that the goods purchased are in order. If this is not the case, you are automatically refunded and the item is returned to the seller.

By using Obvy to carry out transactions between private individuals, you can also benefit from payment in several instalments.