Ways to distinguish the original Ray Ban glasses from a fake. How to tell fake sunglasses from real ones

When a person puts on sunglasses, the pupils of his eyes dilate, and if there is no real protection in the glasses, sunlight hits the cornea, retina and lens. This is especially dangerous for children.

Doctors are sure that it is safer for the eyes to walk without glasses at all than in low-quality ones.

We always tell parents that they need to wear either good sunglasses with UV filters or none at all. The fact is that our pupil plays the role of a diaphragm that controls the amount of light entering the eye. If it is sunny outside, then the pupil will become narrow, the child will squint, and very little harmful ultraviolet radiation will enter. And if mom also puts on a wide-brimmed panama or a cap with a long peak, then even better. But if you put a fake on a child’s eyes, in which there is tinting, but there are no special UV filters, then you have harmed the child’s eyes. After all, there is a dark lens, respectively, the pupil expands, but there is no protection in the lens - and all the ultraviolet gets into the eyes of the child! By evening, the eyes are red, watery, inflamed and you are looking for a doctor ... Therefore, it is very important to take a responsible approach to the choice of glasses for children, - the head physician of the Luxoptica optician chain Larisa Kharchenko is sure.

In order not to buy a fake, when choosing, be sure to pay attention to the following factors.

Pay attention to the case

Remember, when buying high-quality glasses, they should be accompanied by a case, a napkin for wiping the lenses and a passport. All elements must be with the name of the selected brand.

If it is not on one of the details, or the name is applied poorly, this is a reason to think.

Ask for certificates of conformity

The seller of original glasses must have product certification.

If the seller answers your request for a certificate that it is not available for one reason or another (was delayed at customs, is at the central office, and so on) - this is another reason to think about the appropriateness of the purchase.

Avoid too big discounts

When choosing glasses, pay attention to the price at which they are sold by official representatives of a particular brand. Of course, discounts and promotions are sacred, but the price of original glasses cannot be twice as low.

That is, the discount must be adequate.

Examine the inside of the glasses

As a rule, on the arms of the original glasses there is information about the model number, the level of sun protection, the country of origin and the conformity of the product to European quality standards (CE).

At the same time, the inscription must be of high quality.

Important: when buying glasses, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the frame, all the inscriptions and small details. Good glasses should not have scuffs, scratches on the glass, worn or fuzzy inscriptions.

Test the glasses

Another important point - the original glasses never bring discomfort. Ideally, they should not be felt at all. And when looking at the sun, the eyes should be as comfortable as possible.

Remember, eye health depends on the quality of sunglasses. Try to buy them only in trusted places.

Among the well-known brands of sunglasses and optics for vision correction, the Ray-Ban trademark deserves special attention. At the same time, today such products are considered one of the most counterfeited in the world. At the same time, the quality of fakes is quite high, which causes a lot of difficulties regarding how to distinguish the original Ray-Ban from a fake. For those potential buyers who want to become owners of glasses of the legendary brand, and not a low-quality analogue, the following article will be useful.

Brand history

The year of foundation of the Ray-Ban trademark is considered to be 1937. It was then that the well-known optics manufacturer, the American company Bausch & Lomb, released special glasses for US aviation. In 1999, the brand was sold to the Italian company Luxottica Group, which remains its owner to this day.

The basis for the manufacture of Ray-Ban sunglasses was the appeal of the US Air Force to Bausch & Lomb in 1929. All this time, the company has been working on the creation of such glasses that would protect the eyes of pilots from the bright rays of the sun and would not prevent them from flying at high altitudes. At the same time, the clarity of the image had to remain as high as possible. These were the first glasses released in 1937 and called Aviator. They turned out to be so successful that the company decided to organize their serial production.

Since the 60s of the last century, Ray-Ban has been expanding its eyewear line and introducing several new styles every year. Gradually, the color design of the frames improved, and the quality of the lenses improved. Today's Ray-Ban glasses are still the same classic, but more advanced and stylish.

Features of Ray-Ban glasses

First of all, it is worth noting that both sunglasses and corrective glasses are produced under the brand name of the brand presented above. During production, special attention is paid to both lenses and Ray-Ban frames, which are the result of successful innovative developments of the company.

The first Aviator glasses produced by the manufacturer had green lenses. In 1951, in response to the requirements of the US Air Force command, gray glass lenses were invented. N-15. Two years later, this model was again improved and began to be produced under the marking G-15. Brown lenses were introduced in 1985 ( B-15). They blocked 85% of the sun's rays, passing only 15% to the eyes. Today there are polarized lenses that block glare, and photochromic lenses that change color when exposed to sunlight.

Distinctive features of Ray-Ban lenses are:

• clarity and comfort;
• eye protection;
• durability;
• polarization technology.

The most popular models of sunglasses from the famous Italian brand are: Aviator, Wayfarer, Clubmaster, Justin, Erika, Round. It is among them that most often fakes are found.

Why is it so important to buy the original?

In addition to the very realization that you are the owner of the original model of glasses from the legendary brand, there are a number of other factors why it is so important to be able to recognize a fake. Let's name some of them:

1. Fakes, as a rule, are of poor quality, which is noticeable both externally and in assembly.
2. Non-original glasses do not provide adequate UV protection. In fact, wearing them is much worse for the eyes than not wearing them at all. frame Ray-Ban in a fake has nothing to do with the original, does not provide protection from the sun and image clarity.
3. Counterfeit products are not guaranteed. Therefore, if the glasses break, and this will certainly happen in the near future, then it will be nowhere and almost impossible to make them.

Now you need to learn how to recognize the very fake, so as not to accidentally buy low-quality Chinese-made glasses.

The main differences between the original Ray-Ban and the fake

It will be quite difficult for an inexperienced and gullible buyer to do this. But still, there are several mandatory signs by which the original glasses of the legendary brand can be distinguished from a fake.

The main criteria for comparison are:

1. The presence of the model number on the shackle of the frame.
2. Specifying the name of the glasses model Ray-Ban and country of origin. The buyer must be able to verify that the product is made in Italy (Made in Italy).
3. Frontal Ray-Ban logo designation on glass.
4. The presence of a hidden logo on the lens in the form of two letters RB.

In addition, there are other characteristic features of the original glasses. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.

Build quality and weight

The original glasses of the famous Italian brand are made only from high quality materials using unique production technologies. In particular, the plastic eyeglass frames are made from cellulose acetate and polished by hand. Therefore, on the original products it will definitely not be possible to find dents, roughness and seams. The latter are most often found just on a fake.

You can recognize original Ray-Ban glasses from the description, but it is much better to see their quality with your own eyes. A fake in the hands will seem too light, fragile and almost weightless. At the same time, in the manufacture of real glasses, metal temples are used, on which a layer of cellulose acetate can be applied. That is why when comparing two seemingly identical products, the original ones will always be a little heavier.

Poor quality hinges and other features

The next thing to look for when choosing Ray-Bans is the loops. It is with the help of these small mounts that the temples of the goggles are connected to the body. In the original models, metal hinges are used, and in fakes, plastic ones are used, and of very poor quality. In branded glasses, the loops are fixed using a special hinge with seven interlocking teeth. Although there are models with a different type of attachment. But you should still pay attention to this sign.

On the original glasses in the corners of the frame, right above the glasses, there are small oval-shaped metal prints. If on real products they look neat and cannot be removed, for example, with a fingernail, then on fakes, the prints are most often glued or applied in a thin layer. They can be erased very easily.

Nose pads for goggles

All materials that are used in the manufacture of products of the famous Italian brand are characterized by high quality. This also applies to small overlays, thanks to which the glasses fit snugly on the nose. They are made of a special material that is quite elastic, but at the same time soft and dense at the same time. The nose pads should not be too hard and push against the nasal bone. But at the same time, overlays that are too fragile can simply crumble into pieces.

The nose pads have a special designation in the form of two letters (RB). But, unfortunately, such engraving is not provided on some models, which complicates the choice of the buyer.

Distinctive features of the original packaging and case

You can find out if a fake came in a package or real glasses using the box in which they are packed. This will be easy enough to do.

So to figure out how to distinguish the original Ray-Ban from a fake, you need to compare the data that is printed on the frame and lenses of the glasses with the information on the box. Inside the carton box is the original case. If the purchased glasses came in a plastic bag, this should be a serious cause for concern. What should be on the cover?

First of all, you need to pay attention to the shiny gold logo on the front side. The button with which the cover is closed should also have an imprint of two letters R and B. The material is dense, textured, reminiscent of genuine leather to the touch. The cover itself should keep its shape, and the stitches should be done neatly enough. The set of glasses must include a napkin. Its absence is one of the signs of a fake. Take a look at the booklet. It should be made of quality paper, and the information in it should not contain errors.

Another sign of quality is the sticker located on the left lens. It bears the name of the spectacle manufacturer and a warning that the spectacles provide 100% sun protection. All inscriptions must be applied neatly.

How to distinguish an original Ray-Ban from a fake in an online store?

To date, this issue is one of the most relevant. If, when buying Ray-Ban glasses in a store, you can hold them in your hands and note for yourself all the signs of the original or fake, then it will be much more difficult to do this on the Internet. But it is online shopping that is becoming more and more popular and in demand today. Another danger is that, as a rule, online stores require an advance payment for the selected product, but you cannot check in advance whether the original is being sent to you or a fake.

The main signs that indicate that you are buying a fake online:

1. Too low price. Even the most slow-moving models on the site cannot cost less than 2 thousand rubles, not to mention the popular Aviator glasses. In this case, discounts of up to 70% and prices of 500 rubles per item are simply unbelievably attractive.
2. The title must include the original model number. When looking through the glasses, pay attention to the word "replica" next to the name of the product, since it is precisely this that indicates a fake. The original model number of glasses can be checked on the official website of the manufacturer ray-ban.com.
3. The lens number does not match the one listed on the site.
4. The image in the photo in the online store must fully correspond to the one on the official website.

The main advantage that online shopping provides is the ability to verify the information indicated in the model name with the original site. As a rule, this is enough to buy an original item.

Each person advertises and praises his product with special zeal. This applies to the sellers of original products, and to the sellers of fakes. What remains for the poor buyers? Who can be trusted in this situation?

First, in order not to have to figure out how to distinguish the original Ray-Ban from a fake, you should buy glasses from a seller licensed by the company.

Secondly, as a rule, the price of original models varies from 60 to 300 US dollars.

Thirdly, if you doubt the competence of the seller, it is better to look for another site to place an order. Otherwise, you run the risk of running into a fake.

Conclusion

Ray-Ban sunglasses are among the best in the line of similar products of well-known brands. They provide 100% protection to your eyes from harmful UV rays. Glasses of the Italian brand have only one significant drawback - fakes.

There are a lot of cases of falsification, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the original from the fake. But it is still possible to do this if you follow the instructions described in our article. Do not forget that the price of Ray-Ban glasses - the original, of course - is quite high, and you should not pay attention to all kinds of promotions that promise a 70% discount. In addition, it is necessary to check other characteristic signs of fakes.

Fake sunglasses can cause eye damage. The pupils of a person wearing dark glasses dilate, and if the lens does not have the right filter, then more dangerous UV rays enter the eye. Let's figure out how to understand where the fake is, and where the real sun protection is.

In addition to companies specializing in optics, almost every more or less well-known brand of clothing and accessories has its own line of glasses, the price range is designed for almost any budget. Therefore, when choosing new products, girls often pay attention only to the appearance and the presence of the desired logo.

Many people think that distinguishing real glasses from fake ones is as easy as shelling pears: you need to focus on the price. But do not forget how skillfully the companies that produce fakes have begun to work, even if you buy glasses in a boutique, you cannot be sure that you have purchased a quality product.

If glasses glasses do not have a special protective layer, the consequences can be very deplorable.

Sunglasses for that and sunglasses to protect our eyes from the sun are, so to speak, a “medical device” (regardless of the beauty of the frame), so you need to be as careful as possible when choosing, as this will ultimately affect eye health.

A person has natural defense mechanisms against sunlight - eyelashes, eyebrows, and a person reflexively squints. In the presence of dark glasses, “protection” is turned off, and our pupil expands (it is maximally narrowed in the sun), and the rays freely fall on the cornea, retina and lens. If glasses glasses do not have a special protective layer, the consequences can be very deplorable. Doctors believe that it is better to walk without glasses at all than to wear low-quality ones. How to make the right choice? Irina Otrashkevich, head of the purchasing department of the Lensmaster optics salon, helped us figure it out.

1. Ignore big discounts and "fantastic" promotions. Designer glasses can't be much cheaper than other shops that specialize in original models. Before buying, check the prices on the website of the brand whose products you decide to purchase.

2. Sunglasses must come with (in addition to packaging) a case, a lens cleaning cloth (both with the manufacturer's logo) and a passport.

3. The goggle case must be tight with a logo engraved (not printed) on it. The napkin should be made of soft microfiber material - the edges of the fabric should not crumble. The passport (booklet) must be made of good paper (the text must not be erased from moisture), the text must not contain spelling errors.

4. The passport must contain the percentage of UV-A, UV-B, UV-C radiation and the wavelength (in nanometers) blocked by the glasses. One hundred percent protection is provided by glasses marked 400 nm. By the way, the degree of darkening of the glasses does not indicate the degree of protection; completely transparent glasses can also have high-quality protection.

5. On the inside, on the temples, there should be information on compliance with the European quality standard (CE mark), model number, temple size, solar protection level, country of origin, and there should also be a color designation (most often a numbered ).

When buying glasses, be sure to ask for a certificate for the products.

6. When buying, be sure to ask for a product certificate. If the seller refuses you, citing the fact that there is no certificate at the moment, because it is at customs, do not believe it - most likely the glasses are fake. At the customs, each batch of goods receives a quality certificate and a declaration of conformity, and each point of sale receives a copy of the certificate, certified by the seal of the organization.

7. Be sure to test the glasses. Try them on, evaluate the image quality and how they sit - there should not be any discomfort, the exception may be too original frame models.

By following all these simple rules, as well as paying attention to everything in general (from the sputtering of the frame and the availability of accessories to the price and how the seller behaves), you will get a quality product that will delight you. You will be the most fashionable while keeping your eyes healthy.

Many people think that sunglasses are just a stylish accessory, and therefore they choose them according to the shape of the frame, the shade of the lenses, the color of the clothes, etc. But these glasses are not called sunglasses for nothing. They should not only sit well on the nose, their main purpose is to protect the eyes from too bright visible sunlight, and most importantly, to protect them from the destructive action of an invisible enemy - ultraviolet radiation. How to distinguish real sunglasses from a fake and how much does high-quality optics cost? Let's try to figure it out.
dark history
Let's make it clear right away: dark and sunglasses are not the same thing. The shading of the glasses protects us from the brightness of the sun, and the transparent chemical composition applied to the surface of the lenses is responsible for UV protection.
The dark color of the glasses does not interfere with the passage of sunlight at all, it makes staying in the bright sun comfortable. Cheap or low-quality glasses that do not have a protective coating are not just a bad purchase, they are a time bomb. Humans are equipped with natural UV protection mechanisms, such as the ability to squint our eyes, which causes our pupils to constrict. Eyebrows and eyelashes are also natural protection from direct ultraviolet radiation. When we put on dark glasses, this mechanism does not work.
The pupil, covered with dark glasses and "deceived" by the lack of direct sunlight, instead of a natural reaction - constriction, on the contrary, begins to expand. And if the glasses are not equipped with a protective composition, all types of UV radiation freely fall on the defenseless cornea, lens and retina of the eye.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays injures the lens and can lead to the development of cataracts, but wearing the wrong glasses for the retina is even more detrimental: the so-called retinal dystrophy develops, a very serious eye disease that leads to blindness.
It is clear that the “wrong” glasses are those that are sold in random stores, on stalls near the metro or in underground passages. They are cheap - 300-500 rubles, but they can be very expensive for their owner. Doctors are categorical: it is better to go without sunglasses at all than to wear low-quality ones.
Close eyes
Sunglasses equipped with UV protection are sold in specialized stores and opticians. Here, each batch of glasses has accompanying documents and any buyer can (and should!) Look at the certificate, which reports the level of protection from ultraviolet radiation.
What specific information should the product label and certificate contain? Inscriptions such as "100% Ultraviolet protection", "UV absorbing" or "UV blocking" indicate a dubious origin of products.
The certificate must clearly state what level of protection the goggles provide. So, the best glasses provide protection from ultraviolet radiation in the range up to 400 nm (nanometers). This protection includes filters from the rays of the B, C and A spectra. In principle, it is predominantly the rays of the A and B spectra that reach the Earth's surface. C-radiation is delayed by the ozone layer, however, due to the fact that it has become thin, C-rays also reach in some places, and they are most destructive to human eyes. And although this, fortunately, does not apply to the North-West region, doctors still advise choosing glasses with full protection (after all, we take sunglasses with us on vacation).
In addition to the inscription "400 nm", the certificate usually indicates "UV-A", "UV-B", "UV-C" - this is how it is customary to indicate the degree of protection against specific ultraviolet rays.
A little trick: if the certificate says protection against rays A, B and C, but the UV protection figure is less than 400 nm, then these glasses are either fake or the manufacturer is dishonest with you - some of the rays are still missed. It is better not to buy such glasses.
Issue price
How much do quality sunglasses cost? The range of prices is huge, the cost is influenced not only by the quality of lenses, frames, but also by the level of the brand, the pricing policy of the store, etc.
Nevertheless, optics that protect against UV radiation cannot be cheaper than 1500-2000 rubles. However, most often products with such a price are inexpensive copies of popular models of expensive brands, so you should not have any special illusions about the quality of their frames and lenses. If you want to wear a real branded product on your nose, get ready to fork out.
Points of democratic brands with decent quality lenses and frames cost an average of 5-15 thousand rubles (Ray Ban, Oakley, Vogue, Carrera, D&G, Miu Miu, Marc by Marc Jacobs, etc.). For the production of frames, for example, flexible titanium can be used, it retains its shape (the frame can be bent as you like and give it any shape and it will not break).
The price of luxury glasses brands (Cazal, Alain Mikli, Starck, Cartier, Lindberg) starts from 15 thousand rubles, the upper bar is 60-70 thousand. Spectacle frames are coated with platinum gold and precious woods.
Well, the world's top-class brands (Gold & Wood, Lotos) can even cost from several hundred thousand rubles to a million. This is already jewelry optics, frames made of precious metals inlaid with diamonds, sapphires, rubies are used.
Trust but verify
Of course, the most offensive thing is to buy a fake for solid money. Alas, you can stumble upon it in an expensive salon. Moreover, the quality of fakes can be different: from frankly low to such “masterpieces” that even professionals are not able to distinguish them from the original. To protect yourself, pay special attention to the following points:
1. Don't get fooled by big discounts and "special" promotions. Prices for quality and branded glasses are listed above. And no matter how much you want to believe that designer glasses today and precisely here can cost three times cheaper than
from competitors, you should not buy them.
2. Branded sunglasses must be sold complete with a case, a lens cleaning cloth and a passport. On the temple (and for expensive glasses in the corner of the spectacle lens) are indicated: model number (applied by laser), color (usually number designation), country of origin and, as a rule, the size of the bow itself. The passport attached to the goggles states the percentage of UV-A and UV-B radiation and the wavelength blocked by the goggles. Waves are measured in nanometers: glasses marked 400 nm provide 100% protection. We repeat: if the figure is less than 400, then the glasses miss part of the ultraviolet.
3. At the same time, do not believe even the most beautiful label and passport. Require a quality certificate, where all parameters must be specified. It is clear that the data
in the passport and the certificate should not differ. Dishonest sellers often refer to the fact that the certificate is kept at the head office and it is impossible to give it to all salons. In fact, at the customs, a quality certificate and a declaration of conformity are issued for each batch of goods (they confirm the quality of the glasses and clearly indicate the number of pieces in the batch), and each network store receives a copy of the certificate, certified by the seal of the organization.
4. Each pair of "branded" sunglasses is also enclosed with a manufacturer's certificate, which indicates the filter category, country of origin, brand, rules of use.
5. If you choose glasses at a "modest" price, take the opportunity to test them on a special spectrophotometer. This is a UV device that allows the buyer to make sure that they really protect against rays of all spectra. There are such testers in all reputable optical stores - honest sellers have nothing to hide.
6. Do not forget that a warranty card is given for sunglasses purchased at an optics store. Check if the store has after-sales service for products. Not all glasses breakage is due to a factory defect, so it is important to know if the salon will be able to provide replacement components in other cases.
Eternal twilight
Another important parameter for choosing glasses is the level of dimming. There are three main levels: 25, 50, and 75%. Remember: the level of shading has nothing to do with and is not related to the degree of UV protection. Even almost transparent lenses can provide 100% protection.
A dimming level of 57 to 82% is suitable for European lighting conditions. For recreation in the tropics, on the coast, filters with a level of 82–92% are intended. Well, the darkest (level - 92-97%) are necessary for relaxing in the highlands, where the lighting is too bright.
For everyday wear in our area, lenses with a dimming of 50% are enough. For walking around the city, you do not need to choose very dark glasses, this is harmful. There is evidence that without visible sunlight (not to be confused with ultraviolet!), people develop depression.
Colored painted
Do not buy glasses with colored lenses. Perhaps it looks nice from the outside, only very unhealthy for the eyes: red lenses block green light, and green lenses block red, so both are not suitable for drivers. Yellow, orange lenses excite the nervous system, while blue and blue ones tire the eyes. For daily use, brown, gray and gray-green lenses are best suited. They do not distort colors, but only muffle them.
In addition to color, the material from which the lenses are made is also important. Until now, there is a misconception that plastic lenses are worse than glass ones - they say that they are easily covered with scratches. Just the same optimal choice is lenses made of polymeric materials, which are impact-resistant (and therefore safe). And the problem with scratch resistance was eliminated by special modern coatings.
Note to the motorist
Coatings for lenses have generally come out today at the forefront of “spectacle” evolution: for example, anti-reflective and polarizing coatings have replaced traditional photochromic lenses (“chameleons”) for motorists.
The antireflection coating (in fact, it is anti-reflective) prevents reflections on the surface of the lens itself and the image becomes more “clean”.
Polarizing filters remove glare from reflected light (such as "bunnies" on the surface of the water), making driving on wet roads and being at sea more comfortable. An interesting fact: if you look at the water in glasses with a polarizing effect, it becomes more transparent and can be seen to a greater depth.
By the way, another generation of special lenses has recently been developed for motorists, which are called Drivewear (these are lenses, not coatings). They are able to provide a stable "image" in different lighting conditions. Thanks to special filters, the lenses react not only to ultraviolet, but also to visible light, quickly adapt to sudden changes in lighting and, depending on the brightness of the light, change color from green-yellow (under normal lighting conditions) to dark brown.
I look good
As for people who do not have 100% vision and suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness, the modern optical industry has finally begun to offer a fairly wide range of sunglasses with diopters. Previously, this was a problem: glasses with diopters are slightly thicker than ordinary ones (the more diopters, the thicker the lenses) and it was difficult to insert them into sunglasses frames not intended for such purposes. The mass buyer either resigned himself to the fate of acquiring “chameleons”, or put on contact lenses under ordinary sunglasses.
Today, manufacturers of brands of all levels offer a lot of models of frames suitable for fitting prescription sun lenses. These lenses are also coated with all the coatings that are used for ordinary sunglasses. Their cost is from 1500-2000 rubles. Sunglasses with diopters of fashion brands will cost at least 5000-8000 rubles.

You can relate to fakes in different ways: someone is fundamentally against them as a phenomenon, someone does not want to overpay for a brand, someone does not see the difference and believes that a quality replica is a reasonable way to save money.
True, no one wants to be deceived by acquiring a fake under the guise of the original. And when it comes not only about money and prestige, but also about health, you don’t want to take risks at all.
Sunglasses are not only a beautiful and fashionable accessory, but also eye protection, so their choice should be approached responsibly. Poor-quality glasses can harm your eyesight and even cause headaches. The danger is tinted lenses that transmit ultraviolet light, which, passing through the dilated pupil of the eye, can cause retinal burns. Fortunately, now lenses without UV protection are a rarity even in cheap Chinese glasses; another thing is that the absorption spectrum of harmful radiation may not be complete. It is not possible to check this at home, so the manufacturer, who carefully pasted the UV400 mark, will have to take their word for it. Fake glasses lose to original glasses and in terms of wearing comfort - low-quality lenses can picture and color, give a feeling of low sharpness, cause discomfort and tension in the eyes.

What to look for in order not to run into a fake?

Famous brands are actively fighting fakes, but you can still buy a fake both in a subway passage and in a shop in Miami.

Buy in reliable places - trusted stores and opticians who value their name. They will readily show you the necessary documents and certificates.
Do not chase attractive prices and big discounts. Check with the official website of the manufacturer - if the price is significantly lower than there, this is a reason to think.

How to choose original glasses if you have nothing to compare with?

At least a case and a napkin are attached to the glasses, for more expensive brands - this is an information booklet, a hard case and a box. Pay attention to the quality of additional accessories: the edges of the napkin should not crumble, the case should have a protrusion for the nose pads inside. The text of the booklet is without errors, the font is even, well readable, the printing is of high quality.
Consider the logo - even minor changes and nuances of writing indicate a fake. Pay attention to the quality of the logo application - in branded items, accuracy and symmetry, clarity of contours and lines are always observed.
The same applies to the glasses themselves - there should be no transitions and blotches of color, gasoline stains, bumps and notches on the lenses and frames. Check the smooth opening of the arms, the absence of play and the accuracy of the connection of the parts. The color of the screws must match the color of the frame.
Let's focus on two brands that have been proven over decades and are consistently popular: the legendary Polaroid and Ray Ban. I think they rightfully own the palm in terms of the number of fakes.

The Polaroid brand traces its history back to the distant 1930s. They were the first to create sunglasses with polarized lenses. In 2010, Polaroid released a high-tech UltraSight lens consisting of 9 layers. In addition to perfect protection against UV and glare, they are lightweight, resistant to impacts, scratches and other damage. It is clear that fake Polaroids do not come close to the unique properties of the original.

Signs of original Polaroid glasses

Of course, polarization. A good seller will definitely demonstrate it to you by showing a special test picture for verification. In addition, you can look at the screen of a smartphone or a computer monitor: when you rotate the glasses by 90? the image should darken. With polarized glasses, you will not see glare on the glasses and the surface of the water.
On the right side of branded Polaroids there should be a pixel design icon (a rhombus of 9 squares) and the Polaroid inscription. Inscriptions like “Made in…” should not be. There may also be a three-digit code indicating the date of manufacture.
On the left temple there is a CE badge (European certification), letters and numbers indicating the characteristics of the glasses, exactly matching the same number on the booklet.

A booklet of 5-8 pages containing information in different languages, including Ukrainian or Russian. Usually black, but white is also possible in older models.
There is a polarization test at the top of the branded case.
Polaroid arms are always well tightened: if you turn the glasses upside down, they will not open under the force of gravity.
The presence of the certificate of the affiliate program "Original Polaroid" with the seller's address and the name of the owner of the outlet, watermarks and a branded hologram.

How to distinguish original Ray Ban from a fake

It is clear that you cannot buy the original on the street layout for 200-450 UAH. But you should not lose vigilance even in reputable stores - they can easily dilute the assortment with fakes.
Signs of originality may differ for different collections, models, and even series of glasses. So don't panic if your glasses don't come with a tissue or they don't have "Made in Italy" written on them.
The first thing that should alert you is the low price. Ray Ban glasses, by definition, cannot be cheap. If you are offered to buy them for less than 1500 UAH, this is probably a fake. The maximum discount you can count on is 50%. An exception may be models from old collections, but in this case, a very low price is a reason to think. In addition, the older the model, the less likely it is to find detailed information about the differences between the original and the fake. Unfortunately, a high price is not yet a guarantee of authenticity, so pay attention to other criteria.

Packaging is an important and reliable criterion for assessing authenticity. The manufacturer supplies the original Ray Ban with a box, a cover, a napkin and an information booklet. The absence of a box is allowed for some models, but a booklet (sometimes even several), a cover and a napkin with a company logo must always be. The color and size of the cover and napkin may vary depending on the model and collection, it is better to clarify this information in each case.
Variegated red and white ropes with plastic prints on the glasses are a sign of a fake, as well as any stickers on the glasses.
Laser engraved RB on the left lens. It can be both from the outside and from the inside.

Ray-Ban logo in white paint on the right lens, at the level of the temple attachment.
The inscriptions on the inside of the temples vary depending on the model. The right temple is usually marked with the model name, such as RB 3025 Aviator Large Metal, color number, lens and bridge sizes, and tint. On the right temple - Made in Italy.
Aviators and other metal-framed glasses have the RB logo on the nose pads, and the size of the lenses and nose bridge is stamped on the bridge of the nose.
Of course, not all Ray Ban models are faked, but only hits that have become bestsellers. These are models Aviator, Wayfarer, Round metal and some others. Buying a new or rare model in an unusual color is a good option to insure against a fake. Explore the company's catalog or official website to find a non-standard option to your liking.
We wish you original glasses and a sunny summer!