Ray-Ban has been a classic American brand since 1937, but Ray-Ban glasses have not been manufactured in the USA for quite some time. In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold Ray-Ban to the Italian eyewear company Luxottica. Today, Ray-Bans are made in both Italy and China.
When Luxottica started manufacturing Ray-Bans in 1999, they were made in Italy. Throughout the years, Luxottica has grown exponentially and opened factories outside its native country. Their factories in Italy and China produce Ray-Ban's entire line of eyewear and Luxottica guarantees the quality of the products from its Chinese factories is in no way compromised; the glasses are made from the same materials, with the same machines.
But while "Made in China" is not a red flag for fake Ray-Bans, there are still plenty of cheap Ray-Ban knockoffs crowding the market. If you happen to come across an American-made pair of Ray-Bans from Bausch & Lomb, you've found vintage frames or fakes.
How Do I Tell If My Ray-Bans Are Real Or Fake?
The only way to guarantee you've purchased authentic Ray-Bans is to get them from an authorized retailer. If you purchase frames secondhand or own a pair you're not sure about, a few easy ways to tell if they're authentic include a logo attached or etched (never printed) on the lens and temples, a product booklet without errors, and if they have the heft, weight, and feel of high-quality materials. Here are several ways to help you to spot real Ray-Bans from fake.
Authentic Ray-Bans should:
- Be realistically priced (not too cheap)
- Have the logo etched on the temple and lens
- Come with a professional product book, without errors
- Be purchased from an authorized dealer
- Come with a carrying case that is imprinted with the correct seal
- Have solid, hefty frames, and high-quality hinges
The easiest way to spot fake Ray-Bans is if they're missing the logo etching. For further confirmation, you may need to dig for more clues.
Is the pricing too good to be true?
If you've come across current Ray-Ban eyewear models discounted at more than 30% below suggested retail, then they might be fake. The Italian eyewear giant Luxottica bought Ray-Ban in 1999 and set rules about how much Ray-Bans can be discounted.
Are the logos legit?
On modern Ray-Ban lenses, you can find the logo attached to the temple and etched onto the lens. On pre-2000 models, you'll find the letters BL, representing Bausch & Lomb, the company's former owner. Many models also include the logo on the nose pads. If you can smudge the etching or easily remove the temple logo, that’s a sign your frames are fakes.
Does the accompanying booklet contain errors?
If you find spelling and grammatical errors in the included booklet, there is a good chance your frames are fake. Genuine Ray-Ban packaging comes with a branded cleaning cloth in a plastic sleeve and a small booklet with information about your glasses and lifestyle images of the products.
Do Ray-Bans Have a Warranty?
All Ray-Bans come with a limited two-year manufacturer’s warranty, which guarantees against manufacturer defects. This information should be included in the packaging of the frames, along with the booklet. Additionally, if you buy your Ray-Bans from an authorized dealer, that dealer will likely have their own warranty, like FramesDirect.com’s warranty for lens and frame defects.
For products purchased in California: Warranties on products purchased on or after July 1, 2023 will commence on the date of delivery of the product (not date of purchase).
Where did you get your Ray-Bans?
Did you purchase your frames from a licensed retailer or some sort of sketchy website or store? Remember, if you got them at a discount that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Is the carrying case imprinted with the right seal?
Ray-Ban protective carrying cases have a round seal with the Ray-Ban signature logo in the middle, "100% UV protection" at the top, and "Sunglasses by Luxottica" at the bottom.
Are the glasses too lightweight?
Genuine Ray-Bans have a solid weight to them. Most have glass or glass-like lenses—not cheap plastic. If your glasses feel conspicuously light, they may not be the real deal. Ray-Ban creates their glasses and sunglasses with proprietary lens technology, so if you slip the frames on and experience distorted views, they may not be real.
Are the hinges high quality?
Pay attention to how the temples fold and unfold. Real Ray-Bans have metal hinges and should open and close with ease. Many models (not all) include seven interlocking "teeth" in the hinge. Glasses with plastic or bolted-on hinges are fake.
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I'm an eyewear enthusiast with a deep understanding of the industry, particularly when it comes to iconic brands like Ray-Ban. My knowledge extends to the brand's history, manufacturing processes, and methods of distinguishing authentic products from counterfeit ones. Let me share some insights to reinforce my expertise.
Ray-Ban's rich history dates back to 1937 when it emerged as a classic American brand. However, a pivotal moment in its history occurred in 1999 when Bausch & Lomb, the original owner, sold the brand to Luxottica, an Italian eyewear giant. This marked the transition of manufacturing locations from the USA to Italy and eventually China. Luxottica has consistently affirmed that the quality of Ray-Ban products from its Chinese factories matches those produced in Italy.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Manufacturing Shift: In 1999, Luxottica moved Ray-Ban production from the USA to Italy, later expanding to China. This transition doesn't compromise the quality of the eyewear.
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Spotting Fake Ray-Bans:
- Logo Etching: Authentic Ray-Bans should have the logo etched, not printed, on the lens and temples.
- Pricing: Real Ray-Bans are realistically priced; significant discounts may indicate fakes.
- Product Booklet: Genuine frames come with a professional product booklet without errors.
- Authorized Dealers: Ensure your purchase is from an authorized dealer.
- Carrying Case: The case should bear the correct seal and imprint.
- Weight and Feel: Real Ray-Bans have solid, hefty frames, and high-quality materials.
- Warranty: Authentic Ray-Bans come with a limited two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and authorized dealers may offer additional warranties.
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Logo Authenticity: Modern Ray-Ban lenses have the logo attached to the temple and etched onto the lens. Pre-2000 models feature BL for Bausch & Lomb.
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Booklet Errors: Spelling and grammatical errors in the included booklet may indicate fake frames.
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Warranty Information: Genuine Ray-Bans come with a limited two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and additional warranties may be offered by authorized dealers.
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Purchase Source: Be cautious if frames are purchased from unlicensed or questionable sources, especially if the discount seems too good to be true.
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Carrying Case Seal: Ray-Ban protective cases should have a round seal with the Ray-Ban signature logo, "100% UV protection," and "Sunglasses by Luxottica."
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Weight and Hinges: Real Ray-Bans have a solid weight, often with glass or glass-like lenses. Metal hinges, with seven interlocking "teeth" in some models, are characteristic of genuine Ray-Bans.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of Ray-Ban's history, manufacturing, and authenticity verification methods positions me as a reliable source for anyone seeking information on genuine Ray-Ban products.
