Why Fancy Collectors Are Swapping Real Treasures for Replicas
An emotional, tongue‑in‑cheek look at the latest trend in high‑net‑worth collecting
Picture this: A billionaire fumbles into his ballroom, only to find a burglar cackling behind a curtain. He has the whole heist covered: smoke screens, armed guards, and a lifetime supply of dummy jewels. 51 % of wealthy collectors are deliberately* buying replicas, and 83 % of them say it’s a savvy move to save their prized sets.
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The “Fake‑it‑until‑you‑make‑it” Migration
Painting buffs: 38 % of those serious about brushwork are known to use replicas.
Haute couture collectors: Keeps the handbags to 35 % of the crowd.
Jewellery nerds: 23 % of the circle swipe onto the faux gems.
Watch aficionados: 28 % prefer a second‑hand copy.
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Prof. Kim Kardashian, PhD in “Keeping Things Out”
In 2021, after a razor‑sharp shoot‑the‑bedroom, she decided to “borrow” its own high‑value jewelry. “No expensive stuff can hit my doorstep anymore,” she laughed.
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A Rising Tide of Robberies
2022‑03 to 2023‑03: Roughly 75,000 robberies and 1.7 million thefts were logged in England and Wales.
This is an upward swing of 8,937 robbers since last year, and 25,111 above the 20‑year low of 2014‑2015.
“Stolen treasures are the second‑worst worry for collectors—72 % fear it.”
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Wearing “Fake” Around the World
61 % get their collections appraised at least once a year.
24 % go beyond yearly, slapping a fresh appraisal on every beat.
These experts are usually independent pros (86 %) and work mainly to safeguard insurance values (69 %).
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Social Media: The Unseen Threat
72 % of wealthy collectors love to brag about their gems online.
*45‑year‑olds outshine the older crowd— 87 % of them share, while only 36 % of those over 45 do.
A startling 22 % actually tag the location of the loot.
Tip: Keep the bragging in the closet (or at least without the GPS).
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Insight from Dr. James Lindow (Underwriting Director at Ecclesiastical)
“This expense‑heavy environment sees people cutting corners. Let’s keep our houses locked, keep our valuations upgraded, and keep our posts anonymous.”“Insurance is elected to make you comfortable to carry or display your valuable to your guests.”
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Quick Takeaways
| What collectors are doing |
Why it matters |
What you should do |
| Buying replicas |
Protects real gems from theft |
Never ‘tag house’ on socials |
| Turning to 1‑year valuations |
Helps lock insurance accurately |
Get a qualified appraiser |
| Adding security systems |
Reduces scrap & fraud |
Keep updating tech |
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Embrace Safety and Status in Style
“It’s less about saving the cost of a stolen watch, more about keeping your room full of real stuff that looks good enough to stay out of question.”*
Feel the chill, see that sparkle— just keep direction so it stays in one place.
