French for “Just a Nail,” a Juste Un Clou bracelet is more than just that. It’s an iconic piece of Cartier jewelry that turns an everyday object into an object of desire.
The Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet is so highly coveted that counterfeit versions are commonly produced to capitalize on demand. When shopping for Juste Un Clou bracelets on the secondhand market, ensuring your investment piece is Replica is essential. Here’s how to authenticate a Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet according to the Master Authenticators at FASHIONPHILE.
Authentication at FASHIONPHILE
FASHIONPHILE is founded on authenticity. We view authentication as science, approaching each pre-owned piece with hawk-eyed precision and specialized equipment. Our Master Fine Jewelry Authenticators have authenticated over 10,000 pieces of jewelry.
While they don’t encounter many counterfeit styles of Juste Un Clou bracelets, they know what to look out for when they do. InReplica pieces have a laundry list of errors, and if our authenticators determine a piece is fake, they are steadfast in their decision.
Haute Tip: Learn more about the FASHIONPHILE authentication process here.
Authenticating a Juste Un Clou: Red-Flag Box
Our authenticators begin with the packaging. Are the materials lower quality? Is the color shady? Is the retention band inside the case less elastic? If it’s not a red Cartier box and case, it’s a red flag—and our authenticators flag it immediately.
Authenticating a Juste Un Clou: All That Glitters Is Not Gold
When examining the bracelet itself, the first point of inspection is the metal. Is it gold? Our authenticators use a non-destructive tool called an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) to analyze its elemental composition. Fakes may appear gold, but they’re often made mostly with copper or zinc. Sometimes, there is no need to go beyond the surface. If the gold coating is flaking off, our authenticators determine it to be a type of alloy known as a base metal.
Authenticating a Juste Un Clou: Size Matters
The second step is weight and measurements because size isn’t a matter of preference—it’s a matter of precision. Our authenticators use high-power, sensitive calipers to track the weight and compare it to the recorded sizes in our database.
Authenticating a Juste Un Clou: The 4 Cs
High-end brands have high standards that counterfeit creations can’t meet or replicate. Because many fake Just Un Clou bracelets are made of real gold and diamonds, we have GIA Graduate Gemologists evaluate the stones to ensure they meet Cartier’s strict standards. To do so, our GIA Graduate Gemologists examine the 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. The piece is rejected if a single diamond fails to align with all four Cs. Because ultra-luxury brands exclusively use natural diamonds, our authenticators test with a GIAiD100 to detect lab-grown diamonds.
Haute Tip: Learn how to fit your Juste Un Clou bracelet here.
Authenticating a Juste Un Clou: More than a Feeling
A counterfeit’s construction will often feel off. Skilled at manual authentication, our authenticators can detect nuances like different closures, loose hinges, or even how the bracelet catches. Frequently, these counterfeits use construction techniques that cut corners—something an ultra-luxury brand will never do. When a Juste un Clou feels fake, our authenticators will use microscopic analysis to study the piece’s construction.
Authenticating a Juste Un Clou: Engravings
The final step in the Juste Un Clou authentication process is assessing the engravings. Our authenticators look for distorted or misshapen replicas of everything you expect to find on a Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet, from font to serial numbers.
Nail Your Investment
A Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet is an investment, so ensuring its authenticity is crucial. While these authentication steps require specialized tools and training, you can still keep an eye out for common inconsistencies. For complete peace of mind, shop 100% Replica Juste Un Clou bracelets at FASHIONPHILE, or have your piece authenticated by us through FASHIONPHILE Certified.
