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How to spot fake Ray-Ban sunglasses - a detailed 5 step guide

Created 23. 4. 2020 19 comment(s) Shopping tips, Advice, Sunglasses

Stylish, modern, popular – Sunglasses from Ray-Ban are still the rage in 2019.

As long as they’re real.

But a lot of you ask: How can you tell real Ray Bans from fake?

Our e-shop can guarantee authenticity. But if you wanna check your Ray-Bans at home, you might find a guide that helps you distinguish original Ray-Bans from fakes useful.

1. Look for complete packaging

Box, case, microfiber cloth and a booklet – these are all included in proper Ray-Ban packaging. If even a single item is missing, you are (most probably) buying a fake. However, you should still be wary even if everything’s there. You can tell if it’s a fake by paying attention to several details:

Ray-Ban complete packaging

On the picture above you can see the original packaging. You can tell if it is a fake by looking at several details:

  • The logo on the front side of the box is in poor-quality print, and it can be wiped off with a finger.
  • There is no sticker on the side of the box with information about the manufacturer and sunglasses model.
  • There is no logo on the case. The logo should say: 100 % UV Protection – Ray Ban – Sunglasses By Luxottica (or similar).
  • There is no logo on the microfiber cloth – all genuine sunglasses have a red logo here.

2. Check the frames

Frame check 1

Look for different things on either of them. There should be a code on the inner left part, identifying the number and colour of the model. The code always begins with the letters RB and four digits, followed by more numbers and letters.

Frame check 2

When it comes to the inner right part, look for a ‘Made in Italy’ or ‘Hand Made in Italy’ writing, or for the letters CE (not all models have those, though). If you buy prescription Ray-Ban glasses, the inner right side will have a logo only. 

Original Ray-Ban's have the following information:

  • Model No. (i.e RB 4246 on the inside of the left temple)
  • Model's description (i.e RB 4246 990 51)
  • The lens width and bridge's length [should match with the Bridge's engraving (eg, 51 □ 19)]
  • Lens type code (eg, 3N)

The above example was Ray-Ban Clubround RB 4246 990 51

130 mm Width

135 mm Temple length

50 mm Lens height
58 mm Lens width
14 mm Bridge width

3. Don’t forget to check the lenses and nose pads

Frame check 1
Real lenses should have a logo on them – nose pads have an embossed logo.


Frame check 1
The lenses either have a logo on the right side (sunglasses) or left side (plastic prescription glasses).

4. Think of the protection of your eyes

Be careful and only buy Ray-Ban glasses from certified sellers. Very inexpensive sunglasses often offer only dubious light protection, which can even deteriorate over time.

Without UV filters, dark lenses cause the pupils to widen, causing more harmful UV rays to enter the eye than if you weren't wearing glasses at all. The result can be a painful inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea.

category of UV filter for sunglasses

This is characterized by red, watery and burning eyes as well as pain and a strong sensitivity to glare. The symptoms develop six to eight hours after exposure to the sun. However, permanent damage is usually not to be expected.

5. Pay attention to CE marking

Over several decades, UV radiation can damage the eye lens and thus promote cataracts. The disease is insidious and leads to blurred vision, a veil of grey and glare. The damage is irreversible. However, cataracts can be operated.

It is therefore important to check before purchasing whether the spectacles have a CE mark, which is mandatory in Europe. With this marking, the manufacturer indicates that the spectacles have UV protection for light with a wavelength of up to 380 nanometres. However, harmful light can reach up to 400 nanometres. An additional UV400 label indicates that all rays up to this wavelength are blocked.

Please be aware that there are two very similar logos which represent completely different things. The European CE mark (that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area) and the Chinese CE mark (standing for “China Export”, meaning manufactured in China) look almost identical.

Source: ybw.com

Source: ybw.com

Remember – when the price seems to be too good to be true, it’s probably a fake. Don’t want to risk it? Buy Ray-Ban sunglasses in our e-shop.

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Leonie Bauer

Leonie Bauer

Leonie is the head of content at Lentiamo. She researches medical content, discusses complex matters with our opticians and creates educational texts for our blog, glossary and various guides. Her speciality is to make complex ophthalmological issues understandable.

Comments

  • Smye

    What does the letter mean on the right Eg. Rayban. Made in Italy k C E

    Reply
    • Cristiana Chirita Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hi,

      It's the code of the factory. This arm is just for production-related information.

      Regards

      Reply
  • Me

    If there is no length indicated, it means fake?

    Reply
    • Cristiana Chirita Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hi,

      As far as we know, the length should be indicated inside the code. You can check the seller here: https://www.ray-ban.com/…tore-locator?… or contact Ray-Ban to verify it.

      Regards,

      Reply
  • Shaiya V.

    I have rayban with no temple length is it original or Fake?

    Reply
    • Cristiana Chirita Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hi,

      It should be mentioned the code on the inner left part, identifying the number and colour of the model. As you can see in our article, point 2, first picture, 145 is the temple length.

      Thanks,

      Reply
  • Anonymous

    Is they a way l can send pictures to use to see if mine a fake course l found them I box of the when l clean out a house

    Reply
    • Tanya Roydeva Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hi,

      You can read the article above and try to find the mentioned parameters on your sunnies in order to verify if your sunglasses are original or not.

      Best regards,

      Reply
  • Mitko D.

    I have old original Ray Ban glasses, and I keep them as my eyes, because if I lose them I will have to buy new ones, and you with your branches and factories in China are no longer a serious company for me, I will be sorry to spend even and one euro for products from your new production, even if it is twice the quality. Point of view.

    Reply
    • Fabrizio Sgubbi Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hello Mitko,

      Well, maybe you could place a formal complaint with Luxottica and not with a seller? I am afraid we can do absolutlely nothing about where a producer decides to open a plant… Besides the fact that I may partially agree with you: Chinese are famous for producing cheap rubbish, but when they have to produce high quality products they are second to none.

      Best regards, Fabrizio

      Reply
  • Sujendran

    Hi, Right leg frame states Ray-Ban T CE. So where its manufactured?

    Reply
    • Fabrizio Sgubbi Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hello Sujendran,

      Does it look like either of the two marks pictured above?

      Best regards, Fabrizio

      Reply
      • Sujendran

        Yes its looks similar

        Reply
  • George J.

    Hi Kajal, Greetings from the island of Guam. I have an old Ray-Ban sunglasses that I would really like to replace. It's the best I've ever had and nothing else can replace the fit and the look. It says Made in Italy but can't read model number other than RB (all worn out) May I have the email address that I can send you a photo of? Is it possible to replace the lens if I send it to you?

    Reply
    • Fabrizio Sgubbi Lentiamo.co.uk

      Dear George,

      First of all our email is info@lentiamo.co.uk

      However, we are not yet in the position to exchange lenses in sunglasses. We are in the process of starting the sale of prescription glasses and we will be able to sell frames without lenses, but no plans to replace lenses, at the moment.

      Best regards, Fabrizio

      Reply
  • Abe

    Most RB prescription frames are made in China. If they say made in Italy it is very likely fake. Ray Ban T stands for the Tristar manufacturing plant in China. The photograph above indicates original Chinese manufacturing. For the untrained eye, the easiest way to identify a fake is the packaging: 1. The printed material is almost always a lower quality. Paperwise. Inkwise. Ink runoffs. Fuzzy text. Off center print. 2. They come in a zip loc bag with Ray Ban or Luxottica printed on them. Tge bag should be clear. 3. That is it. Case, cloth and box are very good quality. Hard to tell the difference for a novice. RX frames that sau made in Italy are most likely to be fake. If they say made in China you can be 100% comfident they are original. Fake goods never say made in China.

    Reply
    • Fabrizio Sgubbi Lentiamo.co.uk

      Dear Abe,

      Thanks for the comment, which is partly correct.

      First of all Luxottica, an Italian firm, has plants in different parts of the world.

      Sunglasses made by RB are very often made in Italy, whilst prescription frames are often made in China.

      You can check all the information on the Ray-Ban official website.

      Best regards, Fabrizio

      Reply
  • Kajal

    Can you tell if there is any RayBan article with the model number RB4252I601/8G 51 20 140 3N ? Is it original?

    Reply
    • Fabrizio Sgubbi Lentiamo.co.uk

      Hello Kajal,

      I can't seem to find that specific model, but I can guarantee that all our products are original.

      Best regards, Fabrizio

      Reply

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