How to spot fake Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Ray-Ban sunglasses are such a famous brand. Like when all brands become popular, fakes appear. Many tricksters create products that look identical to the real thing. And you believe them unless you know what you’re looking for. Sadly, fake Ray-Ban sunglasses are everywhere, and it seems like it is tough to find a good deal on a pair without getting cheated out of your hard-earned cash. 

That is why we have created this guide. We don’t want you to fall into the trap! So, here’s your guide on how to spot fake Ray-Ban Sunglasses:

Logo Check

Ray-Ban is so popular for many reasons. Their looks, their styles and their endorsements. But they wouldn’t be so easy to recognise without the whole host of branding scattered around such a small space. Let’s be honest; you only really know someone is wearing branded sunglasses when you walk down the street because of the branding.

So, the first thing you can do to make sure those sunglasses you’re looking are legit is to check the branding on the lenses. First port of call is the brand name on the left lens (looking at them front on). Does it look blurry or slightly wrong? The easiest, give away is probably touching it. If it is smooth, then it’s likely to be fake. You should feel a texture across the logo.

If it is textured, your next check it on the opposite lens. Here we are looking halfway down the lens on the far right near the rim. There should be an etching of an RB. This could look like a scratch or a little hair. Run your finger or nail over this to double-check it is engraved. A laser does this engraving in the manufacturing process. Many fakes forget this or simply cannot replicate it, so it is a great check to carry out. 

Next, it’s time to get to the nitty-gritty. The tiny details that the fakesters might have forgotten. They may have done well so far, but, this next part may be their downfall. Check out that the inside of the left arm has a code that corresponds to the one on the box. The other side should have a Ray-Ban logo. If there are nose-pads, look at these. There should be a logo in these too! 

Now, that is all the tips we have on logos. If it passes these, they’re probably real. Yet there are some more telltale signs to help you spot fake Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Where are Ray-Ban Sunglasses Made? 

It is a common misconception that Ray-Bans manufacture exclusively in Italy. Around half are manufactured in Italy and the rest in China. 

If you ask someone where they think fakes are made, 99% of the time you’ll hear “China”. Yet, recently Ray-Bans have been made more and more in China. So, don’t immediately rule those new sunglasses out as fakes just because it says “made in China”.

If you happen to be buying second hand or vintage pairs, then this changes again. If they’re vintage, they might well say “made in the USA”. This means you need to check that Bauch and Lomb manufacture the sunnies. These are the original manufacturers for Ray-Ban. 

If they’re claiming to be made in the USA yet don’t appear to be manufactured by Bauch and Lomb, then be suspicious. You may have spotted fake Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Quality check

The brand comes with a price tag. The reason for that price tag, the quality of the materials used. Ray-Ban doesn’t use extremely cheap materials like fakes, and cheap sunglasses from supermarkets do. 

If the model you have should feature glass lenses, check that. Touch the lens. If it is cold to touch, it is more than likely glass. Give it a tap too, does it sound right? If not, then it could be plastic and not the real deal. 

Does it feel too light? There should be some weight behind the product.

Look at where different parts connect, are these done professionally? No pair should look unfinished, unprofessional and like they’ve been thrown together, even down to the smallest details like the sticker on the lens when first opening the box. This should be in the centre of the right lens (when looking straight at the sunglasses). It should be easy to pull off and not sticky! These are applied using static, not any adhesive. So, if glue or any residue is left behind (that isn’t dust), then they’re undoubtedly fake. 

Also, check the quality of that sticker. Is it printed clear? A replica might look very similar, but there will be telltale signs that it isn’t the real deal. Check out some photos of real ones on google and check if there are any discrepancies in the design. 

If there are rubber elements, check these out. Materials like rubber can often give clues as to whether a designer item is real or not. With Ray-Bans, the rubber will be of high quality, not stiff, sticky or slimy. It is usually dusted in a chalky substance and is a perfect fit for the frame.

Model Number

This is a feature that will often blow the cover of a fake Ray-Ban in disguise, so make sure you check the inside of the glasses for the model number. It should begin with ‘RB’ and then a number.

The number is split into different parts—RB, then the model code, e.g. 3025 for a classic aviator. The next part is about the colour of the frame and the lenses. Finally, the last number is the size of the lens. 

You want to check this number to see if it matches with the number on the box. If it does, that is a good start. Then you want to put that code into google. Sites selling that model use it to identify the exact model. A quick search of the full code will bring up the images of that pair. If the pictures brought up don’t look like what you’re holding, sadly you’re holding a fake. The fraudster has just copied a random code and not the one that matches your pair.

The Added Extras

When you buy Ray-Bans, there are certain things that always come with them. Thus, you should be suspicious if you don’t receive the following:  Ray-Ban Box, Ray-Ban cloth, Ray-Ban case and a Ray-Ban info booklet.

Fake Ray-Bans usually have a convincing case, but there are still a few things that you can check to determine authenticity. For example, there should be a gold seal on the front of the case which says ‘100% UV Protection - Ray-Ban - Sunglasses by Luxottica’. Make sure this logo is sharp and clean.

If you open the case and the product inside is dusty. This is not a telltale sign they’re fake. From our years of selling and even owning our own pairs, it is really common. We aren’t even sure why these cases gather dust inside so easily. When they’re in our warehouse for a while, they do. When I place my glasses in their Ray-Ban case overnight, they come out dusty. It happens, so don’t think they’re fake just because they’ve not come out of the box as clean as a whistle. 

Many fakes will put a lot of effort into copying the look of the sunglasses and then almost forget about the warranty. When checking the warranty, make sure the document is machine cut and printed onto high-quality paper. The critical thing to remember is that it should not look the same quality as something you could print at home.

The Price

This may seem obvious, but if the designer sunglasses you’re looking at are vastly cheaper than anywhere else, then be suspicious. If it looks too good to be true, then it usually is – sad as it may be! 

You can get some excellent deals on Ray-Bans. But you need to know what a good deal is. Usually, under £50, you can start to get a little suspicious unless it is coming from a well-known retailer. These retailers more than likely got a good bulk buy deal so can afford to do this. If it is somewhere you haven’t heard of with no real trading history, they’re more than likely fakes. 

Take into consideration the technology too! Chromance, Polarized, Blaze, and Evolve lenses will carry a higher price tag due to the more expensive materials used to create the product. After all, if it costs more to make, it’ll cost more to buy. So always keep that in mind with these kinds of products too. 

In summary

Many fake sunglasses may have the Ray-Ban symbol, but they won’t be made with the same care and attention as the genuine article. Always double-check the seller. Are they on Trustpilot? Do they have a lot of reviews to back up what they’re selling? Check out if they have been trading for a long time too. If they have, then the products aren’t fake as they would’ve ceased trading due to trading laws.  

Always check out if the seller is an authorised seller or buys from authorised suppliers. Either of these ensures each pair comes from the brand. If it doesn’t state on their website, then proceed with caution.

At Discounted Sunglasses, we have over 3,000 Trust Pilot reviews and over 16 years of trading online. All of our products come straight from authorised suppliers too. So if you’re looking for authentic designer sunglasses at affordable prices, check out ourRay-Ban Sunglassescollection now. 

We hope you now have the confidence to skip the scammers and know how to spot fake Ray-Ban sunglasses. At the end of the day, common sense and buying from a reputable location is always the best way to start.