"Every product we have carries our Lenox back stamp and the trademark, copyright seal. So basically if you see that you can guarantee that the product was manufactured in a Lenox plant or a plant manufacturing specifically for Lenox and [the piece] has gone through a quality control consistent with Lenox policies."
Of course when you're purchasing items directly from the Lenox website at www.lenox.com, or any of the authorized Lenox retailers you can be sure that you're getting an authentic, quality piece. Many items such as Christmas ornaments and porcelain figurines even come with a Lenox Certificate of Authenticity.
It's when you're buying your pieces at antique stores, garage sales or at online auction sites that your chances for acquiring a fake increase, though the majority of re-sales are legitimate.
Your best bet, provided you have time, is to research the specific piece or collection you're interested in buying. Search the Internet for the same item(s) to ensure that the pattern or style matches; also make sure that when you're buying a set that all of the pieces genuinely look alike. Many fraudulent purchases can be avoided simply by examining the item closely.
Next, look for any suspicious smudges or markings on the piece. A misspelling or a stamp that's missing the trademark or copyright would be a clear indication that the item is a reproduction. Ask questions of the seller if any of these mistakes are evident. If they seem unsure of the authenticity or don't know much about the line, it's probably best not to trust them and you should consider shopping elsewhere.
Also, if you're buying an item that you know was designed by a specific artist, check for that artist's signature on the piece. A quick Internet search of the artist's website or an affiliated website will likely display images of the artist's work and their signature. It may be helpful to print out an example of their autograph and compare it as you shop.
If all of those details are correct, lastly you should make sure the product's material feels right to you. Crystal, for instance, should be somewhat heavy; fine china should have a brilliant translucence unlike cheaper options. Products featuring characters, such as Mickey Mouse, should look just like the official illustrations.
Ultimately, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the line of products you're interested in before you go shopping to know for sure what to look for.
Carder says it's not only the modern items that carry the Lenox back stamp.
"Since the beginning our trademark has appeared on all of our products."
There's also a specific place to look when you're authenticating the stamp, explains Carder.
"Collectors should look for something signed from the underside...the stamp would be fired into the body or impressed into it most definitely. It should be unmistakable."
