~*~ Chanel Authenticity Tips! ~*~

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

This thread should help you w/ basic tips on identifying authentic Chanel goods.

[Smoothoprter]

*The numbers on the hologram sticker should match the authenticity card.

*All CHANEL bags from approximately mid 1980's forward should have a hologram/authenticity sticker and matching card. Cards often become separated from the purses so just because the card is not included does not mean the bag is fake.

*Regarding the authenticity sticker: On newer stickers (later 5 series and forward) the clear outter sticker should have gold flecks on it. The clear outter sticker should have the CHANELCHANELCHANEL to the right of the numbers, and a bold black line to the left of the numbers. The white sticker (under the clear sticker) should be scored in a criss-cross or X pattern. The number one should have feet like this 1 the number zero should have a diagonal slash through it.

Examples of authentic hologram stickers (later 5 series and forward).

[Smoothoprter]

*The screws on the back of the CC closure on classic flaps should be "flat head" screws, which refers to the "flat head" screwdriver used to install the screws. They should NOT be philips head screws. One exception are when the flaps have tortuouise shell or plastic hardware, then philips head screws are used. Beginning in 2008, for the newer rounded CC closure, CHANEL is using 6 point / star shaped screws.

Example of flat head screws:


Examples of six-point (star shaped screws) from 2008 flaps:

[Smoothoprter]

*The stamping (on the inside of the CHANEL bag) of CHANEL and MADE IN ITALY / FRANCE should always match the hardware. For gold hardware the stamps should be in gold. For silver hardware the stamps should be in silver.

*Regarding the interlocking CC's on all CHANEL bags: The right C should always overlap the left C at the top and the left C should always overlap the bottom of the right C. According to burberryprncess there are one or two exceptions on limited pieces.

*All gold plated CC's are marked with a gold plating symbol. What I have observed is if the CC closure is stamped on the top left C then the CHANEL and PARIS markings (on the back of the closure) run East/West (screws north/south) and if the CC closure is stamped on the top right C then the CHANEL and PARIS markings (on the back of the closure) run North/South (screws east/west). *Sometimes the goldplating mark is on one bottom C.

*The quilting on CHANEL bags should align.

This one is tricky because it depends on the angle of the picture taken.

On flap bags the quilting doesn't always align perfectly when the flap is closed because it really depends on whether the bag is stuffed or empty, or if it's hanging correctly, etc. But it should appear to align.

Examples of bag alignment:

[Smoothoprter]

Tips regarding interior lining on Cambon bags:

I know for sure that the black and white cambon bowlers, reporters, buckets and pochettes have hot pink (fuchsia) lining.

The pink and beige reporters, bowlers, buckets, and pochettes have black lining.

The brown and green reporters, bowlers, buckets, and pochettes have orange lining.

The white “camera bags” have white lining, the pink “camera bags” have matching pink lining.
The tan flap tote Cambon's have black lining.

[Smoothoprter]

Update from Smoothoprter (7/23/07):

On older classic flap bags there was a debate about how the screws should line up on the oval back plate. Based on our initial interpretation of a tip on Burberry_Princess' eBay “about me” page we believed that in order for a vintage CHANEL to be authentic the back plate had to be exactly like the picture directly below. In other words that the screws had to be on the narrower ends of the oval plate and CHANEL Paris on the wider sides of the oval.

Recently we had discussions with RANAG from the eBay "shoes, purses, and accessories" forum, and then contacted Burberry_Princess for clarification of her authentication page. I also sought to get clarification if possible from CHANEL and was lucky to get a verbal agreement from someone in repairs with 20+ years experience.

In conclusion on older "vintage" classic flap bags the orientation of the screws and CHANEL PARIS on oval back plates can be BOTH ways.

CHANEL should always be on top however and PARIS below.

One thing I have noticed, with experience, is that if the gold plate stamp is on the top right C then the orientation of the screws on the back plate are east/west (CHANEL on top, Paris on the bottom), and conversely if the gold plate stamp is on the left top C then the orientation of the screws on the back plate are north/south (CHANEL on left, and Paris on right).

Here are examples of acceptable orientations on oval back plates.

[Smoothoprter]

Tips posted by Michele:

Hologram hint..... Beware of sellers who tell you a bag is new or just recently purchased when the hologram tells you otherwise. For example, if the seller states the bag is recently purchased from the boutique, but the hologram begins with an 8 than there is a good chance the bag may be fake.

Also beware of the following hologram/authenticity numbers that are widely used by counterfeiters: numbers ending in 5154, 8184.

Other authenticity numbers that we have observed on FAKE bags include: 9316391, 9395451, 11062948, 10803549, 10501946, 10722102, 11022848, 11136858, 11937863, 11377582, 12965832, . CHANEL may have used these numbers on authentic bags, but we are just pointing out we’ve seen them on FAKE bags as well.

Here is an example of a fake sticker and card. Please note how fake authenticity cards give off a rainbow hue. Authenticity cards should NEVER give off a rainbow hue.

FAKE sticker and FAKE card:


Ensure that the "Made in France" or "Made in Italy" is properly aligned under CHANEL on the interior tag.

Examples of proper alignment:

On a vintage bag:


Alignment on more current bags:




The white dustbags were used in the 80's. I believe they started getting phased out early 90's

Also, CHANELs should never be stamped "Made In Paris." This should also never be on the interior tag. The bag can be stamped CHANEL with PARIS underneath (remember NOT “Made in Paris”), but the “Made in Italy” or “Made in France” will also be stamped somewhere in the bag.

Authentic CHANEL Bags are made in both France and/or Italy.

[Smoothoprter]

Tips posted by burberryprincess:


TIPS ON FINDING THE HOLOGRAM STICKER:

1) Get a small flash light

2) Tell the bag to open wide. Trust me, you won't hurt it and is a simple and painless procedure.

3) Search for the lower left corner. For classic flaps, reissues, older timeless clutch and majority of leather lined bag, the hologram sticker is placed directly on the leather lining. For fabric lining (most but not all), the hologram sticker is placed on the lower left corner on a leather tab.

4) Seach the interior zip pocket. This applies to many styles including the new timeless clutch (a recent change).

5) If you can't find one anywhere, it was probably rubbed off or fallen out. This is acommon occurrence for vintage bags and can happen to new bags.

Updated information regarding Authenticity Numbers:

8-digits----

12XXXXXX series - 2008
11XXXXXX series - 2006 to 2008
10XXXXXX series - 2005 to 2006

7-digits--

9XXXXXX series - 2004 to 2005
8XXXXXX series - 2003 to 2004
7XXXXXX series - 2002 to 2003
6XXXXXX series - 2000 to 2002
5XXXXXX series - 1997 to 1999
4XXXXXX series - 1996 to 1997
3XXXXXX series - 1994 to 1996
2XXXXXX series - 1991 to 1994
1XXXXXX series - 1989 to 1991
0XXXXXX series - 1986 to 1988

Early 0XXXXXX series hologram stickers (1XXXXX to 2XXXXX) did not include the '0' on the stickers; thus, they contain a 6 digit serial number. But the authenticity cards include the '0' in front of the serial number, making it 7-digit.

Zipper Manufacturers:

Vintage bags (engraved on front zipper slider): Eclair, 3 circle symbol, D, OPTI DMC, DMC, LAMPO symbol

Vintage bags (engraved on back zipper slider if front slider is blank): CHANEL PARIS, LAMPO

Newer bags (engraved on front zipper slider): EP, YKK

Newer bags (engraved on back zipper slider if front slider is blank): CHANEL PARIS, LAMPO

Examples of LAMPO zipper markings over time:
















Snap Closure/Button Manufacturers/Engraving:

Vintage bags: Ficocchi (for small snap button), CHANEL (for large snap button)

In Between Vintage and Newer bags: FLOX, CHANEL (for large snap button)

Newer bags: CHANEL PARIS (for small snap button), CHANEL (for large snap button

[Smoothoprter]

More Tips posted by burberryprncess:

Information Regarding Care Booklets:

Up to year 2000 - CHANEL bags came with the glossy black with gold trim book style booklet (See first booklet below).

From year 2000 to about 2002/2003 - CHANEL bags came with the black accordian style booklet with the mini black slip folder with a circular cutout showing the CC logo (See second booklet/insert below).

From year 2003 to present - CHANEL bags came with the current white accordian style booklet in a small black envelope with silver lettering (See third booklet/insert below).

Care Booklet prior to year 2000 / 2001:




Care Booklet from 2001 to 2003:




Care Booklet from 2003 to present:

[Smoothoprter]

More Tips posted by burberryprncess:

Information regarding Hologram Stickers over time:


Pictures of hologram stickers and corresponding serial number series (I use "around" to mean not exact, but close enough...this will give you a ballpark):

Examples of 0XXXXXX and 1XXXXXX series:








Example of 2XXXXXX to around 26XXXXX Series:

[Smoothoprter]

Examples of 27XXXXX to around 56XXXXX Series:




Examples of around 57XXXXX and forward Series:

[Smoothoprter]

More Tips posted by burberryprncess:

Tips on how to read the CHANEL tag:


08 = collection year 2008
P = Printemp (French) or Spring

A37590 = style number (prefix) - all you need is this number

Y04373 = part of the style number (suffix)

94305 = black color

NSZ = no size (one size fits all)

3572621322283 = bar code number used for inventory purpose in the CHANEL Boutique and Saks. Department stores like NM and Bloomingdales use their own tracking system. Not sure about Nordstrom and BG.

FYI: The letter “A” before the 2 digit year code = Automne (French) or Fall. The “00V” stands for continuous line.

Here's an example of a tag with 00V (excuse the yellowish light):

[Smoothoprter]

Tips posted by frayed_misfit (10/06/06):

Regarding YKK or EP Zippers on the Inner Flap of the 2.55


Do not be alarmed if you see a YKK stamped zipper on your medium or large classic flaps. The classical colours (black, white, beige etc.) use an EP stamp, the seasonal colours use YKK. We don't know how consistent this is yet (e.g. we don't know if classical colours can use YKK or if ALL seasonal colours use it) BUT we have noted YKK zippers on:

• 2005 Red Caviar - Medium
• 2006 Coral Lambskin - Large
• 2006/2007 Violet Lambskin - Large
• 2006/2007 Bleu Fonce Lambskin - Large

Be aware that this is new knowledge, and CHANEL have given some conflicting information regarding the use of YKK zippers, in particular to those who post on the eBay boards. I have seen the YKK zippers myself in the Sydney boutique, and this was confirmed in the Melbourne boutique (Australia).


If double checking yourself, I suggest going into the store. Otherwise if you call your SA make sure to ask them to check:

• Medium or Large Classic Flaps 2.55 in a SEASONAL colour, Jumbo or East-West will not have two flaps.
• The zipper on the inner flap, which should be the same colour as the bag

This information has been verified by Khai, Smoothoprter, waterfall, loveone7 and of course myself.

Posted are inner zips with EP on the classic colour white, and YKK on the seasonal colours.

photo credits: tweetie, khai, waterfall.

[Smoothoprter]

Tips posted by Rui Hanazawa (11/17/07):

Some additional tips:

1. Older made bags (such as the 80s and 90s) come with a white dust bag..made from a kind of flannel fabric stamped with the CHANEL logo in black and enclosed in a circle with the word CHANEL written underneath.

Example of white dustbag for vintage bags:


2. New models come in black dustbag stamped with the word CHANEL. Material should be made in a kind of rather coarse cotton. I have seen a fake one with similar color dustbag but the material is soft and flimsy.

3. Authenticity Card
Now many of the fakes come with authenticity card that also match the hologram. One surefire way to identify it is to put the card under the light and see the gold line that surrounds the wordings (sorry I have no picture to make myself clearer). Turn the card side to side and if you catch the light reflections in a multicolor glint - it means that it's fake! The real one only reflects gold lights. I got this knowledge from the boutique itself and it has been a great tip for me to spot the fake bags. Also the fake card is thinner (you can bend it a little) whereas the real ones are thicker and sturdier.

4. Authenticity Booklet
The real CHANEL bag comes with accompanying authenticity booklet which is usually enclosed in an envelope. The fakes come with those cheap looking folded card in black or white in inverted square shape.

4. Hologram
Try to peel off the hologram with your nails. The real ones stick real hard to the leather whereas the fake ones easily peeled off.

[Smoothoprter]

Tips posted by rbaby (08/22/07):

It seems so many authenticity tips have been posted already. One thing I can add is that you should always go to the CHANEL boutique and check out the bag you want. Study it to the point that you really know what it "should" look like. A hologram sticker isn't enough, you should know where (exactly) the hologram sticker should be located in this model. Look at the inside zip pocket, does it have a leather pull or a CHANEL logo pull? Most (I hesitate to say all) CHANEL models are made to be exactly the same, so if you buy a 2007 2.55 classic flap, it should have all the same markings as the one you saw in the store.

The fakes keep getting better and better, so the best advice I can give is to buy directly from a CHANEL boutique. You'll feel like a princess when you walk out with that shopping bag on your arm... trust me!