Here is a genuine hang tag: Markings Since the 1920's, the House of Chanel has been producing some of the highest quality costume jewellery in the world, utilising the skills of some of the most famous and accomplished jewelers, including Augustine Gripoix, the Duke of Verdura, Robert Goossens, and Victoire de Castellane.
Indeed, it was Chanel who introduced the whole concept of costume jewellery, larger than life pieces that deliberately played on the fact that the materials were not precious.
Chanel has used many different marks since the 1950s including both round and oval cartouche signature plates and sometimes stamping CHANEL directly into the piece.
1970's With Chanel's death came a new owner who recognised the commercial importance of the Chanel name, and therefore began to use the trademark signs on all the jewellery they produced.
His name was Alain Wertheimer and he introduced the copyright and registration marks to protect the Chanel name.
Chanel closed her Rue Cambon shop during the Second World War, only opening it again in 1954.
It was after this that her jewellery began to be signed, and in reference books such pieces are usually dated 1954-1971 (from the date of the first known signature to Chanel's death in 1971).
The following year he appointed Victoire de Castallane to head up jewellery design, and she produced most of the famous Chanel pieces that are so collectable and continue to inspire today.
She was employed from 1984 until 1998, an amazingly creative period.
I have been asked many times to advise on how to spot fake Chanel jewellery, especially now that it is so popular and expensive.
The obvious reply is to handle as much vintage Chanel as you can - but this is not exactly practical for most people!
Most pieces from the 1930s, '40s and early '50s rarely come up for sale on the secondary market.