Louis Vuitton is a world-famous luxury brand. Louis Vuitton products such as bags and wallets are of high quality and have excellent designs. However, due to its popularity, there are many fakes and copies on the market. Counterfeits and copies may be so well made that they are indistinguishable from the real thing. Therefore, when purchasing Louis Vuitton products or verifying the authenticity of products you already own, an appraisal is required.
Appraisal means determining whether something is real or fake. Appraisal requires specialized knowledge and skills. There are two main ways to make an appraisal. One way is to do the appraisal yourself. Another option is to have it appraised by a professional.
The way to make your own appraisal is to learn about Louis Vuitton products and pay close attention to the details. Louis Vuitton products have several characteristics to prove their authenticity. Among them, the most important one is the serial number. The serial number is a number attached to Louis Vuitton products, and represents information such as the manufacturing date and factory. Serial numbers are a big clue in distinguishing genuine from fake products.
The best way to have your property appraised by a professional is to ask a reliable appraisal agency or specialty store. The benefits of having a professional appraise your home are that they can check even the smallest details that you might otherwise overlook, and that there is a guarantee on the results of the appraisal. The disadvantages of having a professional appraise your property are that it can be expensive and time consuming.
In this article, we will explain in detail Louis Vuitton authentication and serial numbers. Please use this as a reference before purchasing Louis Vuitton products or if you want to check the authenticity of the products you own.
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What is Louis Vuitton serial number?
Louis Vuitton serial number is the number attached to Louis Vuitton products. The serial number is made up of alphanumeric characters and represents information such as the manufacturing date and factory. Serial numbers are a big clue in distinguishing genuine from fake products.
Serial numbers began to be added in the 1980s. Initially it was 3 or 4 digits, but since the 1990s it has changed to 6 or 8 digits. Currently, 8 digits are the norm.
The serial number is stamped on a tag or label on the inside or outside of the product. The location varies depending on the product, but it is generally located in the following locations:
- For bags: inside pockets, behind zippers, lining seams, bases of handles and straps, etc.
- For wallets: inside pockets, behind zippers, lining seams, corners of coin cases and card cases, etc.
- For small items: inside pockets, behind zippers, lining seams, bases of key rings and charms, etc.
The serial number is not always visible. Also, just because there is a serial number does not mean it is genuine. Counterfeit products may also have serial numbers attached. Therefore, you need to check not only the serial number, but also other characteristics.
How to read Louis Vuitton serial numbers
Louis Vuitton serial numbers consist of alphanumeric characters. The serial number represents information such as the manufacturing date and factory. How to read the serial number is as follows.
For 3 or 4 digits
Three- or four-digit serial numbers date back to the 1980s and early 1990s. The 3-digit or 4-digit serial number is read as follows:
- First 1 or 2 digits: Factory code
- Remaining 2 digits: year of manufacture
For example, if you have a serial number of 874, read it as follows.
- First digit: 8 → France
- Remaining 2 digits: 74 → 1987
This means that this product was manufactured in France in 1987.
The factory codes correspond as follows.
- 0: France
- 1: France
- 2: France
- 3: France
- 8: France
- A: America
- N: Spain
- S: Italy
For 6 or 8 digits
6-digit or 8-digit serial numbers have been used since the 1990s. The 6-digit or 8-digit serial number is read as follows:
- First 1 or 2 digits: Factory code
- Next 1 or 2 digits: Week of manufacture
- Next 1 or 2 digits: Year of manufacture
- Remaining 1 or 2 digits: Product line code
For example, if there is a serial number TH1029, read it as follows.
- First 2 digits: TH → France
- Next 2 digits: 10 → 10th week (March)
- Next 2 digits: 29 → 2019
- Remaining digit: omitted
This means that this product was manufactured in France in March 2019.
You can see that it was done.
The factory codes correspond as follows.
- AA: America
- AH: Switzerland
- AN: France
- AR: Italy
- AS: France
- BA: Italy
- BC: Italy
- BH: Spain
- BJ: Portugal
- CA: Spain
- CE: Italy
- CT: Spain
- CV: Spain
- DR: France
- DU: France
- ET: France
- FL: France
- FO: Italy
- GI: Spain
- LA: America
- LM: Spain
- LP: Spain
- LW: America
- MB: France
- MI: France
- MS: France
- NQ: France
- RA: France
- RI: Italy
- SD: America
- SF: America
- SL: Italy
- SN: France
- SP: France
- SR: Italy
- TA: Italy
- TH: France
- TJ: Italy
- TN: France
- TR: France
- TS: France
Product line codes correspond as shown below.
| product line | code |
|---|---|
| monogram | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Damier Ebene | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Damier Azur | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| damier graphite | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Damier Cobalt | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| epi | A |
| vernis | A |
| taiga | A |
| Enpreinte | A |
| Suhari | A |
| Mahina | A |
| ostitch | A |
| alligator | A |
| Monogram Macassar | B |
| monogram eclipse | B |
| monogram enpreinte | B |
| monogram vernis | B |
| monogram matte | B |
| monogram grace coddington | B |
Louis Vuitton appraisal method
There are two main ways to appraise Louis Vuitton. One way is to do the appraisal yourself. Another option is to have it appraised by a professional.
How to do it yourself
The way to make your own appraisal is to learn about Louis Vuitton products and pay close attention to the details. The advantage of doing the appraisal yourself is that it is less expensive and time consuming. The disadvantages of doing the appraisal yourself are that there may be oversights and there is no guarantee of the appraisal results.
When conducting your own appraisal, please keep the following points in mind:
serial number
Serial numbers are a big clue in distinguishing genuine from fake products. The serial number is stamped on a tag or label on the inside or outside of the product. The serial number represents information such as the manufacturing date and factory.
When checking the serial number, please note the following:
- Does it have a serial number?
- Is the serial number readable?
- Is the serial number in the correct format?
- Does the serial number match the product?
If there is no serial number or the serial number cannot be read, there is a high possibility that it is a fake. Even if there is a serial number, if it is not in the correct format or does not match the product, it is most likely a fake.
The format and reading of the serial number are as described above. You can check the serial number and product match as follows:
- Does the manufacturing date and product release date match?
- Does the factory code match the country of origin of the product?
- Does the product line code match the material and design of the product?
For example, if there is a product with the serial number TH1029, you can check it as follows.
- Manufacture date: March 2019 → Check if the product was released during this period
- Factory code: TH → France → Find out if this product was produced in France
- Product line code: Omitted → Check if this product belongs to a product line such as Monogram or Damier
logo
The logo represents Louis Vuitton's brand identity. The logo is printed on a tag or label on the outside or inside of the product. The logo is an important point in distinguishing the real from the fake.
When checking the logo, keep the following points in mind:
- whether there is a logo
- Is the logo the correct shape and color?
- Is the logo in the correct position and orientation?
- Is the logo in the correct font and size?
If there is no logo or the logo is incorrect, it is most likely a fake. Even if there is a logo, if the position or orientation is incorrect, or if the font or size is incorrect, there is a high possibility that it is a fake.
The shape and color of the logo are as described above. The position and direction of the logo is as follows.
- Patterns such as monograms and Damier vary depending on the product, but they are generally arranged symmetrically. Also, the pattern is consistent without being cut.
- Materials such as Epi and Taiga vary depending on the product, but generally there is a logo on the bottom right. Also, the logo is placed horizontally.
- The tag or label with the serial number varies by product, but is generally located on the inside. Additionally, tags and labels are square or rectangular and are secured with seams.
The logo font and size are as follows.
- The LV mark is an overlapping L and V, with the L being a little larger and thicker than the V, and the V being a little smaller and thinner than the L. Also, L and V are at the same height, L extends diagonally from the bottom left to the top right, and V extends diagonally from the bottom right to the top left.
- The flower pattern is inspired by a four-leaf clover, with a round center and four pointed corners. In addition, the petals are all the same size and extend radially from the center.
- The wavy pattern is inspired by the surface of water, with continuous ripples. Also, the ripples are all the same width and spread out vertically and horizontally.
- A quadrilateral is an image of a square, with four right angles. Also, all four sides are the same length and can be either horizontal or vertical.
- The font is sans serif, all uppercase. Also, the letters are all the same height and have a uniform thickness.
material
Materials represent the quality and design of Louis Vuitton products. Materials are used on the outside and inside of the product. The material is an important point in distinguishing the real from the fake.
When checking the material, keep the following points in mind:
- Is the material type and color correct?
- Is the texture and gloss of the material correct?
- Is the material sewn and finished correctly?
If the material type or color is incorrect, there is a high possibility that it is a fake. If the texture or shine of the material is incorrect, it is also likely to be a fake. If the material is poorly sewn or finished, frayed, or cracked, there is a high possibility that it is a fake.
The types and colors of materials are as described above. The texture and gloss of the material are as follows.
- Patterns such as Monogram and Damier are made from canvas, a blend of cotton and linen. The canvas is thick and elastic. Also, the canvas has a matte texture and is not shiny.
- Leather materials such as Epi and Taiga are made from natural leather such as cowhide and goat leather. The leather material has a soft and smooth feel. In addition, the leather material has a glossy luster.
- Leather materials such as Vernis and Enpreinte are made from natural leather such as cowhide or goat leather that has been specially processed. The leather material has a soft and smooth feel. Vernis also has a mirror-like shine. Enpreinte has a matte texture and is not shiny.
- Leather materials such as Suhari and Mahina are made by special processing of natural leather such as cowhide and goat leather. The leather material is thick and elastic. Suhari also has a glossy shine. Mahina has a matte texture and is not shiny.
- Leather materials such as ostitch and alligator are made from the hides of exotic animals such as birds and crocodiles. Leather materials have unique patterns and textures. Also, ostitch has a glossy luster. Alligator has a matte texture and is not shiny.
The sewing and finishing of the material is as follows.
- All Louis Vuitton products are sewn by hand. Therefore, the seams are uniform and neat. Also, the seams are sewn with threads of the same color, and the excess threads are cut off.
- All Louis Vuitton products use high-quality metal components. Therefore, the metal parts will not rust or discolor. In addition, the metal parts have the Louis Vuitton logo and engravings.
- All Louis Vuitton products are finished with paint on the edges of the leather. Therefore, the edges of the leather are smooth and uniform. The leather edges also feature the Louis Vuitton logo and engravings.
How to get a professional appraisal
The best way to have your property appraised by a professional is to ask a reliable appraisal agency or specialty store. The benefits of having a professional appraise your home are that they can check even the smallest details that you might otherwise overlook, and that there is a guarantee on the results of the appraisal. The disadvantages of having a professional appraise your property are that it can be expensive and time consuming.
When having your property appraised by a professional, please keep the following points in mind:
- Check the reliability and reputation of appraisal agencies and specialty stores.
- Check the appraisal fee and required time in advance.
- Receive the appraisal results in writing
- If you are dissatisfied with the appraisal results, request re-appraisal or refund.
Here's how to check the reliability and reputation of an appraisal agency or specialty store.
- Collecting information from official websites, SNS, etc.
- Checking ratings based on word-of-mouth and reviews
- Ask for opinions from acquaintances, friends, etc. who have experience using the product.
Here's how to check the appraisal fee and required time in advance.
- Check the price list, business hours, etc. on the official website and SNS etc.
- Contact us directly by phone or email
The procedure for receiving the appraisal results in writing is as follows:
- Have documents or stickers certifying the appraisal results issued.
- The appraisal results must include contact information such as the name, address, and telephone number of the appraisal agency or specialty store.
- The appraisal results must include a photo and detailed description of the appraised product.
If you are dissatisfied with the appraisal results, please follow the steps below to request a reappraisal or refund.
- Tell the appraisal agency or specialty store specifically why you are dissatisfied with the appraisal results.
- Requesting a re-appraisal or refund from an appraisal agency or specialty store
- If the appraisal agency or specialty store does not respond, consult a consumer center, lawyer, etc.
Louis Vuitton appraisal summary
We have explained in detail about Louis Vuitton's appraisal and serial number. Please use this as a reference before purchasing Louis Vuitton products or if you want to check the authenticity of the products you own.
There are two main ways to appraise Louis Vuitton. One way is to do the appraisal yourself. Another option is to have it appraised by a professional.
The way to make your own appraisal is to learn about Louis Vuitton products and pay close attention to the details. When doing your own appraisal, you need to check the serial number, logo, material, etc.
The best way to have your property appraised by a professional is to ask a reliable appraisal agency or specialty store. When having a professional appraise your home, you need to check the reliability and reputation of the appraiser or specialty store.
Louis Vuitton products are of high quality and have excellent designs. However, due to its popularity, there are many fakes and copies on the market. Counterfeits and copies may be so well made that they are indistinguishable from the real thing. Therefore, when purchasing Louis Vuitton products or verifying the authenticity of products you already own, an appraisal is required.
Louis Vuitton appraisal is to determine whether it is genuine or fake. Appraisal requires specialized knowledge and skills. Through appraisal, you can increase the value and peace of mind of Louis Vuitton products.