How can you spot a fake Bulgari "Serpenti" bag?

Part of the LVMH group since 2011, Bulgari is the world's third-largest jeweller after Cartier and Tiffany. Bulgari creates a unique style, characterised by spectacular colour combinations. Despite almost 150 years of existence, Bulgari never ceases to reinvent and innovate, offering versatile and original jewellery and accessories. Among the luxury brand's most iconic pieces is the Serpenti bag. Counterfeiters are constantly trying to replicate this bag for profit. But it's complicated, if not impossible, to match such craftsmanship. That's why, in this article, we reveal our tips for recognising an authentic Bulgari Serpenti bag from a counterfeit.

The snake's head:

First of all, pay special attention to the snakehead clasp on your Bulgari bag. This clasp is one of the main features of this unique luxury bag. It has an enamel finish with jade eyes.

The clasp must also have a silver/gold plating, giving it an opulent, luxurious look. This clasp requires very special skills that counterfeiters cannot match. Indeed, crooks reproduce this clasp in a crude manner. The sections are asymmetrical and do not match the pattern of the genuine snake.

Counterfeit clasps don't have the same shape either, and are very often smaller than real clasps.

On the left, an authentic Bulgari clasp, on the right, a replica of this clasp.

The inscription 'BVLGARI':

Also check the brand inscription on the back of the snakeskin bag. Inscriptions are always important to analyse in order to spot counterfeits, because writing fonts are very complicated to reproduce. It is virtually impossible to recreate identical letters using cheap materials and techniques.

The typeface of the brand inscription is small and thick. Replica factories make it thinner but larger.

Look at the seams here too. The bag should have thick, tight stitching, making it really strong.

On the left, a counterfeit "BVLGARI", on the right, a genuine "BVLGARI".

Closing :

Pay particular attention to the closure of your Bulgari luxury bag, as minor details like this are sometimes overlooked by replica factories.

The embossed component of the fake zip does not have the same cross-section as on the real thing. There is no circle at the top and no dots at the front. The lines on the counterfeit snake head are also smaller and less deeply engraved.

On the left, a real seal and on the right, a counterfeit seal

The shoulder strap :

In keeping with the bag's theme, the shoulder strap has been designed to resemble snakeskin scales. This detail makes the shoulder strap totally unique. This effect is also very difficult to recreate.

On counterfeits, this effect will have completely disappeared because the replica factories are unable to imitate the same pattern. On a real Bulgari model, the scales of the snakeskin are spaced slightly apart for a more realistic look and feel.

The colours are also very different. Replicas are generally more gold than authentic shoulder straps.

Secure the purchase of your Bulgari serpenti bag with Obvy:

If you wish to buy your Bulgari serpenti bag on resale platforms, we advise you to go through Obvy to secure your transaction.

Obvy is a secure payment platform that helps you avoid the scams that are common in transactions between private individuals. When you make a transaction on Obvy, the funds are only credited to your seller when the buyer certifies that the goods purchased are in order. If this is not the case, you are automatically refunded and the item is returned to the seller.

By using Obvy to carry out transactions between private individuals, you can also benefit from payment in several instalments.