When it comes to sunglasses, nothing beats a timeless pair of Ray Bans. If you like the classic look of the Wayfarers, that of Inspector Callaghan with his inseparable Aviators or the refined elegance of the Clubmasters, then you have to rely only on the best. Don't get scammed, try to be a smart consumer. Here's how to tell the difference between a pair of original Ray Bans and a cheap imitation, so you can wear your glasses safely.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding the Imperfections
Step 1. Look and touch the welds of the plastic
The real Ray Bans are handcrafted products built with the best materials and according to refined processing techniques. The plastic frame is made from a single piece of hand-polished acetate. For this reason there must be no incisions, rough spots and, above all, no joints. These post-production defects are typical of cheap manufactures, gadgets that have nothing to do with real Ray Bans.
Welds are everywhere, in the forgeries, but they seem to be more present in the points where the molds used are closed. Basically you can see them on the upper edge of the frame and the rods
Step 2. Weigh the pair of glasses
Take Ray Bans in your hands. Turn them over a couple of times, gently toss them up a couple of inches and catch them on the fly. Glasses must have a certain weight and give a feeling of strength and solidity. The object shouldn't be oddly light, thin or fragile. If it feels like it's not heavy enough to hold a couple of sheets of paper, there's a good chance it's a fake model.
Real Ray Bans have a metal core inside the temples that rest on the ears. It is this structure that is responsible for most of the weight. If you have a model with semi-transparent colors (such as the Clubmaster Square), you are able to see the metal core; if not, it means that it is a fake
Step 3. Check the lens material
Grab the item and hold it in front of you while looking at it from the front. Give the lenses a couple of gentle taps with your fingernail - if they have a tough texture, look and 'sound' like glass, then there's a good chance the model is a real Ray Ban. In fact, most of the models have crystal lenses - even if it is not a rule that applies to the whole collection. Plastic lenses do not necessarily indicate that it is a fake, unless they are obviously opaque and of poor quality.
If the lenses aren't glass, don't be alarmed. Some models have very high quality plastic lenses. To be precise, glass lenses are a signal that the glasses may be genuine, but plastic lenses don't necessarily indicate a fake
Step 4. Check the quality of the hinges
Open the rods and check them. The hinges are located in the corners and must be of high quality metal. They must be clearly riveted to the frame and not glued or held in place with cheap plastic elements. All this is a sign of a low quality, hasty and cheap production process.
Many but not all Ray Ban models have distinctive hinges built with 7 alternating serrations. If you see them on your glasses then that's a good sign, but if they're not there you shouldn't worry; sometimes different hinges are used (for example on the Aviator and Clubmaster)
Step 5. Check the incisions in the corners of the glasses, looking at them from the front
If you are wearing most Wayfarer or Clubmaster models you should see small silver, horizontal, diamond or oval markings in the corners of the eyes. They should be subtle, defined and well done. These metal parts must not get scratched and must not come off easily. If such incisions do not look well defined or appear poorly executed, then there are chances that the glasses are fake.
Step 6. Check for a small "RB" engraved on the lens
Most Ray Ban models have an imperceptible "RB" engraved on the front of one of the lenses. It needs to be small, close to the edge, but in good lighting you should see it reflecting. If the glasses are fake, you will not see this engraving or it will obviously be poorly made.
Note that in the specimens prior to 2000 the lenses are engraved with the letters "BL". These are the acronym for "Bausch & Lomb", the company that originally owned Ray Ban. In 1999 Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to Luxottica. This change of ownership is reflected in the packaging and label of the current eyewear
Step 7. Check the nose pads
Every element of a Ray Ban eyewear is of high quality, even the small components that rest on the nose when you wear them. They should be made of stiff, yet comfortable rubber. They don't have to look fragile, they don't have to be slippery, thin or easy to remove.
Also, on the nose pads you should be able to read the embossed "RB" logo on the metal core. This is one of the hallmarks of Ray Ban quality
Step 8. Check that the logo at the temples is smooth
Take off your glasses and look at them from the side. You should read the logo, drawn in italics, "Ray-Ban" on the temple. Observe it closely, it must be well defined, professionally fixed to the frame and more or less flush with the surface of the shaft. If it looks inaccurate or glued to the shaft, there is a chance that the glasses are not original.
Obviously in models with very thin temples, such as the Aviators, the logo is not present
Step 9. Check the number you see inside the bar
If you have Wayfarers or Clubmasters you will be able to read the model name written in white inside the auction. On the left temple, also inside, there will be the serial number. On the right temple you will also see the Ray Ban logo, the wording "Made in Italy" and the European "CE" certification. If there are no such writings, they are faded or imprinted in an unclear way, it is certainly a fake.
- If you still have the original packaging, check that the serial number on the box matches the one inside the glasses. If not, it could be a sign of a scam.
- Even on glasses with very thin temples, such as Aviators, there is always the indication of the model code and the "CE" mark. Obviously the writing will be very small, but still visible.
Method 2 of 3: Check the Packaging
Step 1. Look at the label on the package and check the serial number
If you bought a new pair of Ray Bans, they should have been delivered with their box with a large white label. The label contains a barcode that allows identification of the object; if this is missing, the model is likely to be false. The official Ray Ban packages feature:
- Model code: this is a series of 4 numbers preceded by the letters "RB" or "0RB".
- Sub-model or color code: starts with a letter followed by 4 numbers.
- Lens type code: combination of a letter and number (eg "2N").
- Lens caliber (in millimeters): 2-digit number.
Step 2. Check the case; it too must be of high quality
All Ray Ban glasses must be accompanied by their case; if it is not available (for example they are delivered to you in a plastic bag) it could be a reason for suspicion, unless it is a second-hand product. The case should have these markings indicating a good handcrafted product:
- A well stamped golden logo on the front. You should read: "100% UV Protection - Ray-Ban - Sunglasses By Luxottica".
- The Ray Ban logo on the snap button.
- The material should have the texture to the touch similar to real leather.
- There must be a protective hard shell in the front.
- The seams must be clean.
Step 3. Check if the enclosed booklet has any errors
The original Ray Bans come with a small booklet that describes the product you bought, contains advertising images and more. It should be printed without errors on quality glossy paper. In addition, the Ray Ban brochures are carefully reviewed and edited prior to their publication. If there are any spelling, grammar, or printing errors, there may be a problem.
Step 4. Look at the pezzuolina
Ray Ban includes a small cleaning cloth in the case. If it is not present in its clear plastic packaging, the glasses could be fake. If the glasses are sold with the patch, but this obviously seems of poor quality, it is a sign of a non-original product. Check for the following defects:
- Stains or marks from previous use.
- Too thin, rough or tangled texture.
- Unstitched stitches.
- Cheap material.
Step 5. Check the stickers on the lenses
Real Ray Bans are sold with an electrostatic adhesive on the lenses as a sign of quality. It must be black and gold (not yellow) with the logo well centered in the star shape. The text along the edge reads: "100% UV Protection" and "Sunglasses by Luxottica". Here are some flaws that might make you doubt:
- Missing or misspelled text.
- Off-center logo.
- Presence of glue under the adhesive (which should be electrostatic instead).
Method 3 of 3: Evaluate the Seller
Step 1. Buy glasses only from an authorized retailer
When it comes to buying a pair of Ray Bans, the shop also plays a role. Despite the anti-counterfeiting laws, it is not difficult to come across fake glasses. For example, thrift markets or pawn shops may not have the necessary checks and you may come across a fake model. To be sure you are really buying an original Ray Ban product, contact authorized dealers.
You can find the dealer closest to your home thanks to the official Ray Ban website
Step 2. Beware of "too good to be true" deals
Just like luxury goods, if the glasses look stolen, then chances are they are. Although Ray Bans have a very variable price depending on the model, they are not cheap objects. Because they are handmade and with fine materials, they are "premium" products sold at a "premium" price. So be really skeptical of below cost offers, even if the seller is able to motivate you to discount.
For example, know that a new Ray Ban sunglasses, belonging to the Wayfarer family, could cost you from € 100 to € 300
Step 3. If in doubt, buy directly from the Ray-Ban website
If you don't trust the shopkeeper's word, why take risks? Simply make your purchases by entering the official website: it allows you to view the entire catalog and is undoubtedly preferable to any seller "of dubious morality".
Step 4. Know why wearing a fake is a bad idea
Like all imitations, fake Ray Bans are not even close to the quality of the original ones. They are built in a much poorer way, are subject to easy breakage and are not beautiful to look at. However, in addition to these obvious flaws, there are other factors to take into consideration that make a fake unappetizing. Here are a few more reasons why you shouldn't wear Ray Ban knockoffs:
- The fakes offer no protection against the sun's UV rays. Wearing unprotected glasses is even more harmful than being with the naked eye.
- Fakes are not covered under warranty, so if they break (which is much more likely than a real model) you have no chance of getting your money back.
- Fakes can be produced in clandestine factories or workshops that exploit their workers. Habitually buying fakes is a form of support, albeit unintentional, to the black market and unfair labor practices around the world.
Advice
- Verify that "Ray Ban" is printed on the outer corner and top of the right lens. The abbreviation RB must be engraved on both lenses.
- The guarantee certificate should also be neat, flawlessly cut and free from errors in text or form.
- Usually only the Wayfarer model is accompanied by an additional booklet describing the Ray Ban icons.
- Evaluate the price you paid for your glasses. If it is reasonable, the chances are high that it is an original model.
