With their iconic handbags and awe-inspiring styles, Gucci sits at the top of the list for luxury fashion worldwide, along with Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton, of course. When it comes to luxury designer accessories however, did you know that Gucci is one of the most highly counterfeited brands in the entire world? This probably doesn’t come at a total shock if you love Gucci as much as we do.
The highest quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, timeless, elegant styles, and nothing less than signature flair – it’s hard to mistake a Gucci product but counterfeiters are getting smarter and tricking people left and right. In this article we’re going to breakdown exactly how to authenticate your Gucci bag and make sure you never end up with a counterfeited product.
How To Authenticate Your Gucci Bag In 2022
With features like bamboo handles, horsebit closures or of course the must have Gucci belt, everything Gucci 100% stands out in a crowd.But, getting the real deal can be harder than you think now a days, especially when it comes to shopping for pre-owned Gucci handbags. There are tons of fakes being sold as authentic! One of the most popular bags that are being duped are the Gucci Diana bags. Both the Diana mini tote and Diana Small tote – these iconic pieces are making counterfeited brands bank. First introduced in 1991, it was popularized by and thennamed after Diana, Princess of Wales. The bag is now nothing short of a status symbol and because of this, at the top of the list for popular counterfeited Gucci products.
Here are our tips that will help you check the authenticity of a pre-owned Gucci bag.
Check the Serial Number Tag
While Louis Vuitton has date codes, Gucci as the more commonly known serial number.
- Inside near the zipped pocket, look for a rectangular leather tag.
- The front should have three lines of text that has been heat-stamped, while the rear will have the serial number.
- On the front of the tag, the top line should have a trademark ® (restricted symbol) in a circle.
- Below that it should read “GUCCI” just like that, the all-capitalized signature Gucci font. Pay close attention to the font as the ‘G’ and the two ‘C’s should be round, almost seeming like incomplete circles.
- Directly below this it should read “made in italy”, all lowercase.
- Make sure everything is perfectly centered
The serial number tag contains anywhere from 10 to 13 digits, arranged perfectly in two rows. The first signifies the style of the handbag, while the second row is the supplier/batch code. Please always remember that the code will never have letters, and the font contains serifs (feet) on the numbers.
Keep in mind that this code, while very special, is not unique to your bag only. Gucci handbags can share the same serial number sequence. Other bags that were identically designed and have the same series and supplier will have the same code.Vintage Gucci bags often have one less row and are found on more rounded leather tags.
Check the Materials and Craftmanship
If you have the pleasure to examine the bag in person, feel the material it is made out of.When shopping for a pre-owned Gucci bag, the quality of the bag should be rather obvious at first sight/touch.
- As a luxury brand, Gucci only makes their handbags from the highest quality materials and with thorough craftsmanship.
- Authentic Gucci handbags feature very precise stitching.
- Authentic Gucci hardware will have a weight and quality that’s obvious. It will never be light, cheap, scratch-prone or covered in plastic. Tip: be sure to closely examine the zippers! This is a hardware area where counterfeiters often make mistakes. Authentic Gucci zippers are solid metal and branded.
- When shopping for a pre-loved Gucci bag, you may come across something called a “controllato” card. It is grey in color, featuring the ‘GUCCI’ font logo, 10 numbers, and says “controllato” in all lowercase font.
Authenticating Gucci Bags in 2022
2016/2017 and through 2022, in addition to the serial number tag, Gucci began using QR codes, called Gucci Tag. Gucci shares that, “By simply placing your phone near the product, you will immediately access the digital world of Gucci. Through the Tag, you will learn more about your item and how it was created following traditional Italian artisanal methods—discover the best care techniques…”
Simply place your phone near your Gucci item, open the notification on your phone to access the product page, and finally get your Authenticity Certificate and learn more about your item. Gucci Tag is an intuitive system used to confirm the product’s authenticity and act as an anti-counterfeiting process.
Gucci Tag cannot track or localize your position, and it can’t associate the product to your name. You can deactivate your Gucci Tag anytime atanyGucci store.Find out more in the privacy policyincluded with your item.
If you don’t think your Gucci Tag is working, Gucci asks, “Are you scanning the correct place?Wallets and handbags: Place your phone at the back, 4cm from the bottom.Luggage: Place your phone at the back, 4cmfrom the bottomofany padding or protective trims.Is your smartphone compatible with NFC?You can only access the NFC technology with a compatible smartphone with the NFC readerswitched back on.Is your tag active?If your tag has been deactivated, visit any Gucci store toturniton again.”
Gucci Tag isembeddedinside your item therefore it cannot be removed. However, it can be deactivated at any Gucci store. If you choose to deactivate it,please noteyou won’t be able to access any informationincludingthe authenticity certificate.
Make Summer 2022 an Authentic Gucci Experience
“Gucci products are crafted with the highest quality materials, design and workmanship. “Made in Italy” is an integral part of the essence of Gucci. It is a cultural approach, a know-how that took generations to build, and a genuine mission that has allowed Gucci to become one of the world’s most desirable luxury fashion brands. Counterfeit Gucci products are replicas or imitations of authentic Gucci products that are aimed at misleading consumers and can be of poor quality, lacking the details and the craftsmanship which characterize authentic Gucci goods and can sometimes be marked at higher prices.”
We’re right there with Vogue when they said that that after the roaring success of Gucci’s rebornJackie bag, Gucci has definitely brought back another beloved accessory from the archive.Princess Diana’s favorite bamboo handle tote has been reimagined by Alessandro Michele some 20 years after the original caught the royal’s eye. Available in three sizes and seven colorways – the timeless cuir is the closest color to Diana’s own trusty Gucci – the shocking emerald and sweet rose versions with yellow, pink or orange straps chime with the brand’s mission to promote self-expression through its products. Showcased on the arm of a pink-haired model carrying a pet rabbit on the runway, the Gucci Diana represents the cycle of reinvention and being free to be who you are – something the original poster girl for the brand would no doubt support.
Summary
Interested in shopping authenticated Gucci at affordable prices? Browse our collection ofpre-loved Gucci products here. At Luxybit, we guarantee the authenticity of all products purchased on Luxybit.com
If you want to learn how to authenticate handbags by other top designer brands like Louis Vuitton, be sure to check out our other guides: Louis Vuitton Authentication Guide
Shop pre loved luxury accessories here.
