Consumers buying gold jewelry should pay attention not only to gold prices and weight, but also to whether the brand markings on the products are legally authorized. Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau recently uncovered several jewelry stores across northern, central, and southern Taiwan suspected of selling counterfeit luxury-branded gold jewelry.

Authorities seized 725 precious metal jewelry items bearing logos of well-known brands, including LV, CHANEL, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The estimated trademark infringement value exceeds NT$43 million.

Investigators found that some of the products were made of genuine gold but carried identical or similar trademarks without authorization. Such products may mislead consumers into believing they are officially associated with or endorsed by the luxury brands, potentially violating Taiwan’s Trademark Act.

Between January and April this year, police conducted searches in Yilan, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Kaohsiung, bringing 22 individuals in for investigation.

Police emphasized that trademark infringement is not determined by the material value of a product. Even if an item is made of real gold, unauthorized use of a registered trademark may still constitute a legal violation. Consumers and business operators are advised to verify product sources and authorization status before purchasing or selling related goods.