How to spot fake Ray-Ban sunglasses

Fake Ray-Bans are common, and some look very close to the real thing. These simple checks help you judge a pair before you pay.

Look for the Ray-Ban logo on the right lens and a small "RB" etched on the left lens. Check the model, colour and size code inside the left arm, and on polarised pairs a "P" next to the logo. A very low price for an "original", poor hinges or a mismatched box are strong warning signs. When in doubt, ask for the original bill.

• 1. Check the lens logos: Genuine pairs carry the Ray-Ban logo on the right lens. Tilt the glasses towards light and look near the hinge on the left lens for a tiny, neatly etched "RB". It should be crisp, not printed on or easy to scratch off.
• 2. Read the inside of the left arm: You will usually find the model number, colour code and size printed there, for example RB2140 901 50□22. Search that model on Ray-Ban's official site and check the shape, colour and size match the pair in your hand.
• 3. Look at the inside of the right arm: Genuine pairs usually show "Made in Italy" or "Made in China" and a CE mark. Both countries can be genuine, because Ray-Ban's maker Luxottica runs its own factory in China. Blurry, uneven or misspelt text is a warning sign.
• 4. Check the logo on the arms: The Ray-Ban logo on the outside of the arms should be clean and evenly finished. Compare it with official photos of the same model.
• 5. Feel the hinges and weight: Open and close the arms. Genuine hinges are metal, move smoothly and feel firm, with no glue marks or wobble. A very light, flimsy or rattly feel is a warning sign.
• 6. Check the nose pads on metal frames: On metal models like the Aviator, the nose pads usually carry a small Ray-Ban mark. Compare them with official photos of that model.
• 7. Test polarised lenses: On a polarised Ray-Ban, the right lens carries a small "P" beside the logo. To test it, look at a phone screen through the lens and slowly turn the glasses: a polarised lens makes the screen go darker at some angle.
• 8. Inspect the case, cloth and box: Check that the case, cloth and any box look well made, with clean logos and no spelling mistakes. Any model code on the box or label should match the code inside the arm.
• 9. Judge the price and ask for proof: If an "original" pair costs a small fraction of the official price, for example ₹999, be very careful. Ask for the original bill from an authorised store, and check that its model code matches the glasses.