The quality of leather and high level of craftsmanship in a Balenciaga handbag is difficult for fraudulent purse makers to duplicate, but many still try. Most auction sites have a hefty number of fake designer bags. Fortunately, there are a few key parts to every designer handbag that allow for relatively quick authentication.
There are many steps used to authenticate a genuine Balenciaga bag. Key areas include materials, hardware, tags, straps, and zippers.. Many fakes will satisfy several of these areas, but there will always be a telltale sign of forgery.
For help authenticating Balenciaga materials, handles, and straps check out How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Handbag - Materials and Pockets.
Authenticating Hardware on Balenciaga Bags
All Balenciaga hardware is either brass or matte, meaning it is never shiny or gold. Authentic hardware should look like different colors in different lighting.
On zippers, the rings should be sealed. There should be no openings or gaps of any kind. Fake bags often have plainly visible openings in these rings.
Authenticating Rivets on Balenciaga Purses
The rivets used on Balenciaga bags are very distinctive. There are always two cut-out portions of the rivet at opposite sides from one another. The cut-out should be two straight lines with a rounded end. Many fake bags have cut-out areas of the rivets in the shape of the letter "C".
Authenticating the Tags on a Balenciaga Bag
Balenciaga tags are a good indicator of authenticity. The serial number on the metal tags should match the number on the leather tag attached to the inside of the purse.
The leather tag should have the Balenciaga logo on the front of the tag and additional style numbers on the back of the tag. The tag should be readable with letters facing right side up when the tag is flipped over as shown in the pictures below.
A key component of an authentic Balenciaga bag is the stitching on the top of the tag. This stitching should be black along the top edge of the tag.
When looking at the Balenciaga brand name on the tag, the “B” and “C” in Balenciaga should be more wide than round. Additionally, the “E” should have top and bottom lines of matching length with the inside line being shorter than the top and bottom lines..
Authenticating Zippers on Balenciaga Handbags
Unlike some designer bags, the Balenciaga logo will not appear on the hardware or zippers. Balenciaga bags are made with Lampo zippers. The Lampo logo should be on the zipper pull written in italics with a line extending from the "L" for the entire length of the logo. The word Lampo should be embossed, or raised, on the zipper pull. The Lampo logo is never engraved on the zipper.
Other Steps When Authenticating Balenciaga Bags
Apart from the actual materials and hardware, there are several other steps to take when attempting to authenticate a Balenciaga handbag.
It is important to determine where the seller purchased the bag and why the seller has decided to part with it. This is a great way to determine the history of the bag and the the intent of the seller. Evasive answers should always be viewed with suspicion.
Paypal is a great safeguard when purchasing a Balenciaga bag on eBay. This will give the buyer added protection against forgeries as Paypal and eBay will refund your purchase price if the bag is determined to be a fake.
The ladies at The Purse Forum (TPF) are a great resource for authentication. They are experts in which styles and colors are available for each season. Balenciaga changes their colors every season, making it easy for the ladies at the Balenciaga Purse Forum to spot a fake when the colors and seasons don't match up properly.
And finally, Balenciaga bags almost never sell for less than $1,000 with the exception of well-worn bags that often sell for around $800. While it is possible to find a bargain, if a bag is selling for a ridiculously low price it is most likely a fake.
