Cartier
Cartier's Love bracelet and Juste un Clou are among the most faked jewelry pieces. Boutique verification is the gold standard — but engraving quality, hallmarks, weight, and a simple magnet test catch most counterfeits first.
Serial Numbers & Boutique Verification
Typically 2–3 letters followed by 5–6 digits, engraved on the piece (location varies by item). Cartier boutiques can verify the serial against their records — the most definitive method.
Example: AB12345 or ABC123456
Boutique check is conclusive
Cartier maintains records of pieces sold and can verify serial numbers at any boutique. For high-value jewelry, this is the single most reliable authentication.
Hallmarks & Engraving
"Cartier" signature
✓ AUTHENTIC
Clean, crisp engraving in the proprietary font, letters evenly spaced.
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Blurry, uneven, or too deep/shallow; wrong font.
Metal purity hallmark
✓ AUTHENTIC
Correct stamp for the metal — 750 (18k), 950 (platinum), 585 (14k), 925 (silver).
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Missing, wrong numbers, or hallmark that doesn't match the metal.
Country hallmark
✓ AUTHENTIC
French pieces bear official marks (eagle head = 18k gold, dog head = platinum).
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Missing official hallmarks or incorrect regional marks.
Quick Authentication Tests
- Weight: solid precious metal feels substantial — counterfeits are noticeably light (hollow or plated).
- Engraving: all marks should be laser-precise with no rough edges or inconsistency.
- Magnet: real gold and platinum are NOT magnetic — if a "gold" piece pulls to a magnet, it's plated or fake.
Love Bracelet & Juste un Clou
Screw motifs (Love)
✓ AUTHENTIC
Evenly spaced, identical, precisely machine-engraved — not embossed.
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Uneven spacing, varying depths, inconsistent appearance.
Closure (Love)
✓ AUTHENTIC
Operates smoothly with the Cartier screwdriver; screws sit perfectly flush.
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Rough operation; screws don't sit flush; loose or wobbly.
Interior engraving
✓ AUTHENTIC
"Cartier," serial, metal purity (750), size number, sometimes "©Cartier" — all crisp.
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Missing engravings, wrong order, poor quality, wrong font.
Nail proportions (Juste un Clou)
✓ AUTHENTIC
Precise geometric head and realistic tip, smooth finish.
✗ COUNTERFEIT
Disproportionate head, unrealistic tip, rough finish.
Weight reference
A size-17 Love bracelet in 18k yellow gold weighs roughly 32 grams (varies by size and metal). A piece far off the expected weight is a strong red flag.
Get Professional Authentication
Visual checks catch obvious fakes, but professional authentication is the only way to be certain — especially for high-value purchases.
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only. The Fraud Codex is not affiliated with Cartier. All information is compiled from publicly available sources and authentication experts and should not replace professional authentication services. A valid serial number, date code, or other marker does NOT guarantee authenticity — counterfeiters replicate these features. Cartier is a registered trademark of Cartier International.