‘The Kate effect’ helps boost sales of fake jewels

AYESHA SIDDIQUI

KARACHI: An online business selling fake jewels skyrocketed when the Duchess of Cambridge wore their fake pearl and zircon earrings to the Diamond Jubilee service, at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Heavenly Necklaces site owner Belinda has also provided fakes to many celebrities describing it as a “well kept secret” until the Duchess wore the earrings.

As soon as websites who keep a close eye on everything related to Middleton-style started talking about the fake jewels, and media started covering the story the website all of a sudden became host to millions of buyers from all over the world.

The owner claimed the earrings sold out instantly, and ones that could not get their hands on the particulars went on to buy other items on the site, as they were upset the new shipment of the earrings would make them wait as long as two months. The owner faced many problems including a frozen bank account as sales increased so quickly on her site, though it was later cleared.

Six months on from the incident the owner says the boutique business is happy by the industry’s appreciation for fake jewels.  

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012