The Italian luxury fashion brand Gucci has existed since 1921 and was founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence. The company is particularly known for its exclusive products such as handbags, shoes, clothing and accessories and has many flagship stores in major cities such as Milan, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

Due to the popularity of high-priced Gucci products, they are often the target of counterfeiters. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish a fake Gucci handbag from a real one, but there are a few signs you can look out for before buying.

You can find our second-hand Gucci bags here

At 9ine Life we ​​sell a range of designer brands, with Gucci being one of the more popular brands. Since all of our items are 100% authentic, we want to show you how to tell a fake Gucci bag from a real one. In this guide, we'll explain how to tell if a Gucci bag is authentic.

1. Serial number and inner label

The serial number of a Gucci bag is the quickest way to determine whether it is an original or not. All authentic Gucci handbags have a leather tag with the Gucci logo located near the inside zipper of the bag. It has the registered mark "®" at the top, as well as the name "Gucci" with "made in italy" stamped into the leather.

If you flip this label up, you should be able to see the serial number/model number of the bag. Newer Gucci bags have two lines of 10-13 numbers. The code 114595 on the top line indicates the specific model of the bag. While bags from before the 90s have only one line of numbers.

It's common for the same supplier code to be used on more than one bag, so even if you find another Gucci handbag with the same code, don't be alarmed. Also, don't worry if the embossing appears unclear or faint even on new Gucci bags; some materials are harder to emboss than others.

Although the meaning of these numbers is unclear, this is a detail that few fake bags have. You can also try typing these numbers into Google to see if you can find your specific model, but don't be discouraged if no results appear.

2. QR codes

Modern Gucci handbags made in 2016/2017 and later feature a QR code that can be easily scanned with most smartphones to determine authenticity. This is a new step Gucci has taken to combat counterfeiters, as it is more difficult for them to copy both the serial number and the QR code.

If you know that the bag is a new model, you should look for a QR code in addition to all other authenticity features.

3. Leather quality

While the serial number often gives an immediate indication of whether a bag is genuine or not, the quality of the leather is also an important point to pay attention to.

Brands like Gucci use high-quality leather for their luxury handbags, so the difference between real leather and fake bags is quite easy to spot. This includes irregular grain, which is common in vintage Gucci bags. Fake leather is usually overly smooth and has a plastic-like appearance.

Another important indicator of a genuine bag is the smell of the leather. It should feel smooth and buttery soft and have a natural and pleasant musky smell.

4. Metal fittings and engraving (hardware)

It is important that you check the quality of the metal hardware on your genuine Gucci bag. Authentic Gucci products are characterized by sturdy and heavy hardware. Make sure that all zippers, locks and other metal hardware are perfectly placed and have the correct logos and fonts. Make sure they are not rusty or chipped.

An authentic Gucci handbag is characterized by high-quality and solid hardware. The YKK or Gucci zippers, locks, solid metal bottom and other engraved elements should be perfectly placed and have the right logos and fonts. Even though the counterfeiters may be able to correctly imitate the external appearance of the bag, they usually have a hard time reproducing the hardware exactly.

Possible locations for the Gucci engraving:

• Buttons
• Zippers (bottom)
• handle
• Buckles

5. Seam and overall quality

The seams on Gucci bags are always perfectly and evenly finished. The seam is intentionally sewn at a slight angle rather than running in a straight line.

6. Dust bag

All authentic Gucci bags come with high-quality dust bags designed to protect the item. These dust bags are usually dark brown, light brown, white or black in color and feature the Gucci logo or Gucci monogram.

In addition, Gucci dust bags should have a soft, silky smooth surface. If you find a Gucci bag wrapped in plastic, this is often the first sign that it might be a fake.