How To Tell If Your Name Brand Glasses Are Fakes

We've all been there, you find a nice pair of designer sunglasses online or at a flea market, and the price feels too good to be true. Maybe it's a pair of Oakleys for $40, or Ray-Bans for $25. You think “Hey, maybe I just scored a killer deal.” Unfortunately, if the deal seems too sweet, it probably is. The counterfeit sunglasses market is booming, and fakes are getting really good. But don’t worry, no matter how convincing a dupe looks, there are always telltale signs that can give it away. At Fuse Lenses, we work with replacement lenses for all the top name brand frames, so we’ve seen it all, real, fake, and everything in between. Whether you’re shopping secondhand or just want to double check that your sunglasses are the real deal, we’re here to help.

When it comes to spotting a fake, it’s not just the look of the sunglasses you should worry about, although that’s a big part of it. Fakes can compromise durability, lens quality, UV protection, and even eye safety. A convincing knockoff might be just a little bit lighter, or the logo might be slightly off, but these small differences can make a big impact. Counterfeit frames can be made from lower grade plastic, cheap screws, and low quality lenses. Even worse, they often lack proper UV protection, which means your eyes aren't shielded from harmful sun rays. So let’s dive in and go brand by brand on how to tell whether your sunglasses are authentic, or a little shady.

How to Spot Fake Sunglasses

 General Signs of a Fake Frame

Before we get into specific brands, here are some universal clues to keep an eye out for:

• Misspellings: Look closely at any branding, especially on the arms or inside the temples. Misspelled words or incorrect product codes are a dead giveaway.
  
  

• Distorted Logos: Logos should be crisp, symmetrical, and consistent with the brand’s standards.
  
  

• Poor Materials: Genuine sunglasses use high quality materials. If the frame feels flimsy, uneven, or too lightweight, that’s a red flag.
  
  

• Packaging: Authentic sunglasses come with proper cases, microfiber cloths, and paperwork. Missing or cheap looking packaging is a warning sign.
  
  

• Price: If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
  
  

Now let’s get into the brand specific tips.

 Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban fakes are some of the most common, and they’ve been cloned for decades.

• Logo Check: Authentic Ray-Bans have the logo etched into the right lens, not just printed. The left lens might also have a subtle “RB” etching near the hinge.
  
  

• Temple Text: The inside of the arms should include the model number, lens width, and bridge width (like: RB2132 55-18).
  
  

• Weight and Feel: Genuine Ray-Bans, especially the metal frames like Aviators, feel solid and well balanced.
  
  

• Nose Pads: Real Ray-Bans with nose pads will often have “RB” engraved on the metal pad arms.
  
  

• Case & Cloth: Real Ray-Bans come with a sturdy case embossed with the logo and a branded cleaning cloth. Counterfeit cases are often soft or have inconsistent embossing.
  
  

Oakley

Oakley is a performance brand known for durability, optics, and sport focused design, making it a prime target for knockoffs.

• Lens Etching: Many Oakleys have “Oakley” or a specific lens tech (like “PRIZM”) laser etched into the lens. Fake etching is often off center or poorly done.
  
  

• Hinges & Screws: Authentic Oakleys use precise mechanical hinges. If the screws look mismatched, overly shiny, or loose, that's a bad sign.
  
  

• Model Number: Oakleys usually have a model number stamped on the inside of the temple. Verify this number on Oakley’s website, fakes often use made up or outdated codes.
  
  

• Logo Quality: The “O” logo on Oakleys is raised and smooth. If it’s painted or looks cheap, skip it.
  
  

• Fit and Finish: The finish should be flawless, no bubbling paint or uneven molding. Real Oakleys are engineered like sports gear.
  
  

 Costa Del Mar

Costa Del Mar sunglasses are especially popular among outdoor enthusiasts and fishermen. Because they’re on the pricier end, fakes try to mimic their performance look.

• 580 Lens Etching: Costa’s famous 580 lenses will have “580P” (for plastic) or “580G” (for glass) etched on the lens. If this is missing or smudged, it’s a fake.
  
  

• Costa Script: The logo on the temple should say “COSTA” cleanly and consistently. Some fakes will misspell it as “COSTAR” or use a weird font.
  
  

• Temple Design: Real Costas often include rubberized grips, and the material will feel durable, not slick or plasticky.
  
  

• Serial Numbers: Costa includes serial/model numbers on the inside of the temples. Run a quick Google search, if you can’t find a match, it's probably fake.
  
  

• Lens Quality: Even at a glance, Costa lenses are top tier: clear, polarized, and high contrast. If they look foggy, overly reflective, or flimsy, it’s a red flag.

Summary: 

• Fake frames can be hard to spot, but there are some universal signs like misspelling to look out for. 

• Each name brand has different specific ways to ensure you have a real frame.

• The best way to check authenticity is by searching your frames serial model.

• Fuse can replace the lenses in your frame, whether they’re real or not.

At the end of the day, spotting fake sunglasses is a bit like detective work. A few extra minutes of close inspection can save you a lot of regret later, not to mention potential eye damage from poor quality lenses. And if you do have a pair of genuine frames, but the lenses are scratched or faded? That’s where we come in. At Fuse Lenses, we specialize in high quality replacement lenses that can breathe new life into your favorite sunglasses. Whether it’s Ray-Ban, Oakley, Costa, or dozens of other brands, we’ve got the lenses that’ll make your frames feel brand new again.