First off, let’s ditch the whole “perfect replica” idea. If you’re thinking you’re snagging a *flawless* dupe, you’re probably setting yourself up for disappointment. A lot of brands, like, straight up ditch the screw motif altogether and go for a kissing “C” logo instead. Which, honestly, is kinda smart, right? It’s like a cute little nod to Cartier without being a blatant copy. I kinda dig it, tbh.
But what if you *are* looking at something trying to pass as the real deal? Okay, pay attention. The devil’s in the details, people!
The first thing I’d do is, like, really *look* at it. Does the metal look cheap? Is the color off? Real Cartier is gonna have a certain weight and a luxurious feel. A light, plasticky knockoff? Big red flag, obvi.
Then, check the screws. Real Love bracelets have screws that are, well, screwed in precisely. Are they wonky? Uneven? Do they look like they were slapped on by a toddler with a glue gun? (Okay, maybe not *that* bad, but you get the idea.)
Another thing: the engraving. Check for the Cartier logo and the serial number. Is it crisp and clear, or blurry and smudged? Does it look like they used Comic Sans? (Please, no one use Comic Sans). Also, make sure the serial number is actually *there*. A lot of fakes skip this step, probably cause it’s hard to replicate.
And tbh, sometimes it’s just a gut feeling. If something feels off, it probably is. Like, if the seller is being super sketchy or the price is too good to be true (hello, 90% off!), trust your instincts.
Now, here’s where things get *really* messy. What if you just want the *look* without the price tag? Is that so wrong? I don’t think so! There are tons of “inspired-by” bracelets out there that capture the essence of the Love bracelet without being outright fakes. And honestly, some of them are really cute! I saw one on the internet with like, little hearts instead of screws. Adorable!
