The Real Real

Questions About The Real Real

• Is my Capodimonte real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024

  To know if your Capodimonte is real, look for its maker's mark. Beginning in the mid-18th century, porcelain made by the manufacturer founded by King Charles VII of Naples was stamped with a fleur-de-lis, usually in underglaze blue. Pieces produced under Ferdinand IV were stamped with a Neapolitan N topped by a crown. When secondary manufacturers began production, they retained this mark in multiple variations. By comparing the markings on your piece to images of those found on similar pieces shared on trusted online resources, you can begin to determine whether your piece is authentic. However, many convincing replicas exist, so you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer examine your piece and provide you with a professional opinion. Explore a diverse assortment of Capodimonte porcelain on 1stDibs.

• Who was the real Piranesi?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024

  The real Piranesi was Giovanni Battista Piranesi. He was born in Venice in 1720 and died in Rome in 1778. He was the son of a stone mason and was trained as an architect. After a slow start, he eventually achieved great success as an architect, archaeologist, artist, designer, collector and antiquities dealer. His mission was to glorify the architecture of ancient Rome through his engravings and etchings. His highly dramatized prints often depict imaginary interiors and frequently include figures in mysterious activities that are dwarfed by the magnitude of their monumental surroundings. Piranesi's style greatly influenced the neoclassical art movement of the late 18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Giovanni Battista Piranesi art.

• Are Chanel pearls real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021

  Although some Chanel jewelry contains real freshwater pearls, much of their costume jewelry is made from coated glass, though they are still high quality.

• Are Chanel diamonds real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Whether or not Chanel diamonds are real depends on the piece. Fine jewelry manufactured by the French luxury fashion house features high-quality genuine diamonds certified as conflict free through the Kimberley Process. Fashion jewelry may show off rhinestones or crystals instead of real diamonds. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Chanel diamond gemstone jewelry on 1stDibs.

• Do real pearls have a clasp?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Yes, real pearls can be on a strand with a clasp. The addition of a clasp has nothing to do with determining if the pearls are real or fake. The clasp is simply a design aspect for the piece of jewelry. Always purchase real pearls from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a large collection of authentic pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• Are Ashoka diamonds real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024

  Yes, Ashoka diamonds are real. Ashoka is the name of a patented take on the cushion cut developed by the jeweler William Goldberg. Diamonds featuring the cut usually originate from mines in the Golconda region of India. On 1stDibs, shop a range of William Goldberg diamond jewelry from some of the world's top sellers.

• Are the diamonds in a Rolex real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Yes, the diamonds in a Rolex are indeed real. Rolex gemologists source and test every melee diamond to ensure the clarity and color are up to Rolex’s standards. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted Rolex watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• Are tycoon diamonds real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Yes, Tycoon diamonds are indeed real, although they can only be cut by a few of the world's most skilled craftsmen. Each Tycoon diamond is engraved with a serial number for authenticity. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted Tycoon diamonds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• Are Pulsar watches real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Yes, Pulsar watches are indeed real. Pulsar was the world’s first electronic digital watch and is currently a division of the Seiko Watch Corporation. You can shop a collection of Pulsar watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• Are sapphire diamonds real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  No, sapphire diamonds are not real diamonds. They are actually white or colorless sapphire gemstones. Diamonds are pure carbon, while sapphires are corundum minerals that contain aluminum oxide and trace elements. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of expertly vetted diamond gemstone jewelry.

• Are rainbow sapphires real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Whether or not rainbow sapphires in jewelry are real depends on the piece. Sapphires do come in a wide range of colors, and fine jewelry called “rainbow” may include the gems in multiple hues. However, other gems or colored glass may take the place of real sapphires in some pieces. You'll find a range of expertly vetted rainbow sapphire gemstone jewelry on 1stDibs.

• Are Birks diamonds real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024

  Yes, Birks diamonds are real. The British luxury jewelry maker sources its diamonds from mines in Canada. When selecting gems, the experts at Birks only choose diamonds that meet the brand's high color, clarity and proportion standards. Explore a variety of Birks diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.

• Are Effy sapphires real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024

  Yes, Effy sapphires are often real. The American jewelry maker carefully selects ethically sourced, high-quality sapphires for use in its pieces. For its earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets, Effy also uses other genuine gemstones, such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Effy jewelry.

• Are freshwater pearls real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023

  Yes, freshwater pearls are real. They come from mussels that are naturally found in lakes and rivers. However, it is rare to find naturally occurring pearls of any kind. As a result, most of the freshwater pearls used in jewelry are cultured. The term refers to pearls created by freshwater-dwelling mussels with the assistance of human intervention. Pearls produced with this process are real, but they are not natural. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of pearl jewelry.

• Are Graff diamonds real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024

  Yes, Graff diamonds are real. In fact, the British luxury jewelry maker is known for handling some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the Windsor Yellows, the Paragon, the Lesotho Promise and the Wittelsbach-Graff. In addition to diamond jewelry, the maison also sells standalone diamonds. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of Graff diamond jewelry.

• What was the real name of Balenciaga?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024

  The real name of Balenciaga was Cristóbal Balenciaga. He was born in the quiet fishing village of Getaria in Spain’s Basque region in 1895. In 1917, he established his first haute couture house — named Eisa for his mother — in the trendy resort town of San Sebastián. He soon followed it with boutiques in Madrid and Barcelona, drawing such clientele as the Spanish royal family. When the Spanish Civil War put a hold on his prospects in Spain, the designer moved to Paris, opening a house on Avenue Georges V in 1937. As an expert tailor, he experimented with sculptural silhouettes that didn’t follow the body. His notable designs include the 1953 balloon jacket and from 1957, the cocoon coat, the baby-doll dress and the sack dress, which he popularized with his good friend designer Hubert de Givenchy. All of these could be considered not just the masterpieces of haute couture but also objets d’art in their own right, leading to Balenciaga’s nickname, “The Master.” On 1stDibs, find a selection of Balenciaga apparel and accessories.

• Is Zultanite a real stone?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Yes, Zultanite is a real stone and is, in fact, quite rare. The stone is characterized by its yellow, cognac and pink hues, which boast an impressive color change and are an excellent addition to any jewelry collection. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted gemstones from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• Was Keane a real artist?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024

  Yes, Keane was a real artist. She was born Peggy Doris Hawkins on September 15, 1927, in Nashville, Tennessee. When she was two years old, her eardrum was permanently damaged during a mastoid operation. Unable to hear properly, Keane learned to watch the eyes of the person talking to her to understand them, and Keane's paintings are recognizable by the oversized doe-like eyes of her subjects. She began painting her signature "Keane eyes" when creating portraits of children. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Margaret Keane art.

• Where can I check if my Chanel is real?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023

  To check if your Chanel piece is real, you will typically need to consult an experienced dealer or certified appraiser. Chanel usually does not provide authentication services through its boutiques or customer service centers. However, knowledgeable third-party experts can check the serial numbers and thoroughly examine the piece to make an assessment of its authenticity. Explore a large selection of Chanel pieces on 1stDibs.

• Is Effy real gold?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Yes, Effy designs are crafted with real gold. Several colors are used such as rose gold, white gold and yellow gold, all using 14 karats. You can shop a collection of Effy jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.