Is this an authentic Tiffany and Co locket?

I've always seen pieces signed 'Tiffany and Co' or some variation of that. This is a locket stamped only 'Tiffany' on the interior along with sterling. Could this be an authentic piece but much older? The interior is quite tarnished. It definitely is sterling silver and tests positive. I'm having no luck finding a reference for how to date Tiffany jewelry by stamp but some sources do say pieces were sometimes signed only Tiffany along with the sterling or gold stamp.

 

only one I can find that was similar in mfg.... with 12k gold , on silver.. ???

 

JMHO, but the quality is just not there, and the TIFFANY stamp is poorly done. Also, every other one I've seen is marked on the outside, not the inside.
The bale on your piece is different, too. What is printed on it? The Tiffany ones have a solid ring for a bale (not a split ring that could have fallen off and required replacing).
The hinge on yours is placed differently.
Yours also has a little tab that goes into a slot in order to keep it closed. The Tiffany locket stays closed on its own due to a raised lip on one locket side.


Yours:




Tiffany:

 

Connecting rings and bail rings on Tiffany jewellery are always soldered, so solid.

 

I believe the bail was definitely replaced. It's signed 'M Ster'. Could this be an older Tiffany locket? I see a lot of the contemporary ones are always signed on the back.
If not then that would indicate this is a counterfeit...yikes

 

You sure it's a pendant and not a charm?

Debora

 

As I said, I just don't see Tiffany quality. And the TIFFANY stamp is poorly done. Sorry, JMHO.

 

I was thinking the same, but I'm no Tiffany expert. Usually Tiffany & Co. marks the holy handgrenades out of their merch. The locket just didn't look right.

 

It could well be pre-1980s when all the counterfeiting began.

Debora

 

Is it possible to clean the inside, or would all of the tarnish lead to too much work? No expertise here, but I agree with the others who have commented.