Most items that are collectible are subject to fake copies or replicas being made of them, and Fiestaware is no exception. Some fake items will actually be passed off as genuine Fiestaware, whereas others will make no mention of the Fiesta name but are simply pieces made in the same style. It's easy to buy something second hand and not know for certain whether it's genuine Fiesta or not, and this is a particular problem if you're buying from places such as flea markets or eBay where fake Fiestaware is quite common.
There's also the issue of value. If you don't know what you're looking for, identifying what is particularly valuable Fiestaware, and what isn't, can be difficult.
Below you'll find some pointers that make Fiestaware identification easier, and hopefully you can avoid paying high amounts for what you believe to be authentic or valuable Fiesta, when in fact it's something pretty worthless.
Genuine or fake?
One of the first things to look for is the concentric circles found on Fiesta pieces. On genuine Fiestaware these get gradually closer together, whereas on fakes, they are often equidistant from each other. The circles nearing the rim should be more widely spaced.
When undertaking Fiesta identification there are also some things to look for on the back stamps. Remember that not all authentic Fiesta has a backstamp, so if the item you're looking at doesn't have one it doesn't necessarily mean it's fake. Backstamps contain the signature 'Fiesta' followed by 'HLC USA', 'MADE IN USA' or 'H.L. CO. USA.' Some items also have 'GENUINE' stamped about the Fiesta signature.
If you're buying online things can be particularly problematic because you're looking at an item remotely and you can't actually physically examine it yourself. If you've got doubts over an item”s authenticity, ask the seller to send you additional photographs including the backstamp. If you're buying on eBay, check out the sellers feedback rating. If their trading history suggests they are known for selling fake Fiesta, you'll quickly be able to see it.
Valuable or not?
Some pieces of Fiestaware are particularly valuable. The most sought after items were made during the original production run from 1936 to 1973, although this is not to say that items from the newer generation (1986 onwards) cannot be valuable.
Generally speaking, items in the original five colors of light green, fiesta red, cobalt blue, yellow, and ivory are very valuable. Medium green is also a particularly collectible color, and less common (although not usually rare) items such as tea pots, salad bowls, vases, and egg cups are usually more valuable in most colors.
It's worth mentioning that there are many valuation and Fiestaware identification books and resources available both online and offline that can help you determine how much a particular Fiesta piece is worth, and whether or not it is genuine Fiestaware. It certainly pays to know what you're looking for.
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