No single detail proves a pair is real, but several together almost always do. Here are the six checks our team uses, in the order we do them.
1. Read the reference codes
Turn the frame over. Genuine pairs carry a model number, colour code and size stamped on the inner temple, usually in the form “52-20 145” (lens width, bridge width, temple length in millimetres). The same details should appear on the box. Search the model number on the brand’s own website: the shape, colour and logo placement should match the official product image.
2. Look for serial numbers
Many brands add a serial or batch number, often on the inside of a temple or etched on the lens. It should be sharp, evenly spaced and cleanly applied. A missing serial isn’t proof of a fake, since older models often don’t have one, but a smudged or uneven one is a red flag.
3. Check the lens engraving
Brand marks on authentic lenses are laser-engraved into the surface. They are tiny, crisp and sit inside the lens. Printed or stuck-on logos look flat, sit on top of the surface and can blur at the edges. Tilt the lens under a light and look closely: an engraving catches the light as a fine line, while print looks like ink.
4. Test the hinges
Hinges should open and close smoothly, without wobbling, squeaking or feeling too tight. Look at three things:
- Spacing. The hinge knuckles should sit evenly, with tight, equal gaps. Open the temples fully: both should stop at the same angle and sit flush against the frame front, with no daylight on one side.
- Colour. Hinge metal should match the rest of the hardware (gold with gold, silver with silver) and look the same on both sides. Tarnish or a mismatched tone on a new pair is a warning sign.
- Material. On acetate frames, the hinge is solid metal set into the acetate, often with rivets visible on the front. On titanium frames, it is machined from the same metal. Glue marks, melted plastic or a hinge that sits proud of the frame point to a counterfeit.
5. Know the material and its weight
Each brand builds in the material that suits its style, and each material has its own feel. A pair that is much lighter or heavier than it should be, or that feels hollow, is worth a closer look.
| Material | Typical use | Weight and feel |
|---|---|---|
| Acetate | Fashion and luxury frames | Solid and dense, about 25–45 g; deep, even colour that runs through the material |
| Titanium | Fine metal frames | Very light, about 15–30 g; strong, cool to the touch, crisp edges |
| Injected nylon | Sport frames | Light and slightly flexible, about 20–35 g; bends back to shape |
Weights are typical for sunglasses and vary with size and lenses. Compare a pair against the brand’s spec or a pair you know is genuine.
The contrast between brands shows why this matters. Oakley builds most of its sport frames from injected nylon-based material, light and flexible enough to take impact, with rubber grips on the nose pads and temples. Dita makes its frames in Japan from titanium, some plated in gold, with machined details and a precise, heavier-than-it-looks finish. A “Dita” that feels like plastic, or an “Oakley” that is stiff and brittle, is not what the brand makes.
Whatever the material, check for visible seams, rough edges, paint chips, a frame that sits skewed, or one arm longer than the other. Colour should be even, and logos crisp, with consistent font and spacing.
6. Check the case, box and seller
A genuine case matches the brand’s official one, with a sturdy build and a cleanly printed logo. Cloth, booklet and box should match the brand and have no spelling errors. A very low price is a warning sign, but counterfeits can also be priced high, so buy from a seller who guarantees authenticity and has a clear returns policy.
How we do it
Every pair we sell is checked against these points before it ships. When a pair comes without its original box or receipt, we send it for third-party authentication before it goes on sale. Every piece is 100% authentic or your money back. Questions about a pair you own or are thinking of buying? Send us photos and our team will take a look.