How To Spot Fake Sunglasses [Infographic]

Myra Cooper http://theopticshop.co.uk 4m 941 #sunglasses

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

Spotting Fake Sunglasses

Sunglasses were designed to protect our eyes, from dust and harsh sunlight, but they have become more than just an eye protective gear. They are also considered as a style statement. Some people are very passionate about the sunglasses, and are ready to pay hefty amounts of money. Sometimes we get conned into buying fake sunglasses and end up paying the amount of the original, and it is very upsetting to find an item that is not genuine, and of poor build quality. But we can put this malarkey behind us, with the help of our infographic, you will be able to spot the details that differentiate fake from original, and save your hard earned money, and you can also help your friends from getting conned.

The reason why this infographic is important is because it is very difficult to differentiate between fake and genuine. There are various factors that we need to consider like stickers, the warranty cards, cleansing cases, lens stickers, the authentication card, and lens fitting. Our infographic contains step by step guide that is easy to understand and to apply. The infographic focuses on few well-known brands like, Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Gucci sunglasses.

Click to open / Right-click for save options

Text-Friendly Version

FAKE RAY-BAN, OAKLEY & GUCCI SUNGLASSES

PROTECTING YOUR STYLE & YOUR EYES

KNOW THE RISKS

Wearing sunglasses may make you feel like you’re protecting your eyes, but the truth is that poor quality fakes could mean you’re in more danger than going outside with nothing at all.

• Beyond the visible rays we can all see, invisible ultraviolet light has the potential to cause serious damage to the eye in the short term and also later in life.
• UV light can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration or in rare cases even cancers.
• In brightly lit conditions, it’s normal for us to squint to protect our eyes whilst our pupils will become constricted.
• Sunglasses with UVA & UVB protection block these harmful wavelengths, but cheap lenses without this may just block the glare. As a result the pupil will dilate, actually letting in more damaging UV light.
• Children are at particular risk as they have larger pupils, which let 70% more UV light in than adults. As children spend disproportionate amount of time outdoors the cumulative effect of the sun during childhood can have serious long term effects.

SPOTTING A FAKE

RAY-BAN OUT OF THE BOX

1. Deliver/Retail Box
   Should have a gloss finish with good print quality
2. Delivery Box Label
   Does the bar code &  model number match the glasses inside?
3. Glasses Case
   With the exception of special editions Ray-Bans come in a black, red, or tan case, lined in red or black, with the logo on the front
4. Lens Sticker
   Where present, this should be gold, not yellow, perfectly centered and attached by static, not glue
5. Cleaning Cloth
   All Ray-Bans come with this, if it’s missing or made of a poor quality material the glasses may be fake

YOUR GLASSES

6. Temple Screws
   Should be cross head screws, glue or plastic hinge parts should not be used
7. Nose Bridge Logo
   On Aviators, the model number and “RAY-BAN” should be etched on the underside of the bridge
8. Nose Pads
   Metal models have the letters “RB” engraved in the center
9. Model Number
   Found on the inner side, this will match the number on your box’s label
10. Lens Etching
    “RB” or in pre-2000 models “BL” is etched onto the lens

OAKLEY

OUT OF THE BOX

1. Stickers
   Polarized lenses will have a “P” sticker placed on them, other models should be clear of stickers
2. Warranty Card
   Comes with a warranty sheet, which has a serial number that matches the glasses
3. Cleaning Cases
   This should be cloth, not nylon. Check the quality of the stitched logo on the label
4. Cases
   All genuine glasses will come with a hard case or soft pouch

YOUR GLASSES

5. ‘Made in’ Details
   Marked as “Made in the USA” or Assembled in the USA. Newer models may have this on the box instead
6. Nose Pieces
   Rubber should be soft and slightly sticky to the touch, not hard plastic, and will always be elliptical in shape
7. Serial Number
   The serial number should match the company’s model information
8. Frame Logo
   The logo should be raised and then printed rather than flush
9. Frame Weight
   Quality, durable metal & plastic weighs more than cheap components used in fakes

GUCCI

OUT OF THE BOX

1. Dust Cloth
   The logo should be embossed so you can feel each letter
2. Retail Box
   Check the font used actually matches the official Gucci logo
3. Plastic Glasses Bag
   Inside the retail box the glasses will come with a clear plastic bag marked with CE logo and manufacturer’s details
4. Authentication Card
   Packaging on new glasses should always contain an envelope containing a certificate of authenticity

YOUR GLASSES

5. Right Temple
   Should have a Gucci logo and often also the CE mark and the words “Made in Italy”
6. Left Temple
   Should include a model number, colour code, and size starting with GG
7. Nose Pads
   Most models will have a Gucci Logo, this is missing on many of the fakes
8. Polarized Lenses
   On all polarized models, when held at certain angles in front of a TV, the lenses should appear darker
9. Lens Fitting
   Messy signs of glue around the edges of the lends are a sure sign of a fake

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Always buy from a reputable retailer
• Make sure your glasses carry the CE standard mark
• Check the price – is it in the same range as other sellers?
• Check independent reviews for the seller on trusted sites

THE OPTIC SHOP

Source: http://theopticshop.co.uk/blog/spottingfakesunglasses/

(