Staret Torch Pin -- Comparison of Real and Fake

Staret "Torch" Pin -- Comparison of
Real and Fake

REAL

FAKE!

On the left is a scan of a genuine Staret "torch" pin. As this pin appears identical to the pin pictured in Nancy Schiffer's "Fun Jewelry" on page 107, we're going to assume that this pin is, indeed, the "real enchilada." The one on the right is a fake, the scan snatched from an eBay auction some months ago. Don't remember the seller, don't remember when it was.

First, please bear in mind that I've never seen either of these pins in person; I've never seen ANY Staret torch pin, real or not, in person. So, my comparison is limited to these two scans. Nevertheless, I think there are some differences which are obvious even from a pic, and which can be used to spot the "fake fire."

I've tried to "size" each scan so that the left pin is the same size, pictorially speaking, as the pin on the right. Providing that the original scans (done by persons unknown!) are not distorted in any way, or are not "straight on," we can discern several differences immediately.

The thumbnail on the right-hand pin (the fake) is longer -- maybe she's just come from the manicure parlor with a new acrylic set, just as I did today. Did she get a pedicure, too, like I did? We'll never know. :-)

The flame on the real pin is both shorter and fatter, and the third flame from the right is more sharply curved. The flame itself seems more "live," like it's frozen in the act of flickering. The one in the fake pin seems more restrained, somehow.

The sleeve on the end of the "robe" is quite different on each pin -- on the real pin, it's more to the side, and angled more sharply to the left.

Yes, the rhinestones are of a different color. I don't know if Staret made the torch pin in anything other than red, so I don't know if this is significant or not.

The "cup" of the torch seems shorter and fatter on the real pin -- although this could be camera or scanning angle.

The rhinestone ring just below the torch "hugs" the fake pin more tightly than it does on the real pin.

The rhinestone at the bottom of the torch appears to be clear on the fake torch, rather than in the contrast color (red, on the real pin). This could be a characteristic of the fake pin, or a replacement stone. Dunno.

The real torch seems, overall, to be slightly shorter and fatter than the fake torch. Again, could be camera angle, could be a real characteristic. Also, the oval rhinestones appear smaller, overall, relevant to the size of the torch "cup," on the fake pin.

Well, kiddies, that's what I see . . . if you know something about these pins that has not been memorialized here, please email me and let me know; I'll add it to this analysis. (If you have a REAL one to sell to me CHEAP out of the goodness of your heart, please email me, too!) LOL! Here's my email address: dkos@radix.net.

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