How to Spot a Fake Cartier LOVE Bracelet (+ How to Avoid Them)

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Authenticate real bracelets by their logo, serial number, & more

Co-authored by Cory Schifter and Devin McSween

Last Updated: September 2, 2025 Fact Checked

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Real vs Fake LOVE Bracelet

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Avoiding Fakes

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Tips

The Cartier LOVE bracelet is a timeless and elegant piece that’s made the luxury jewelry brand truly iconic. The bracelet is incredibly popular and quite expensive, which means that counterfeit products are very common. So how do you know if the LOVE bracelet you’re interested in buying is real? We’re here to help! In this article, we’ll walk you through all the signs that a Cartier bracelet is real and provide tips on avoiding fakes while shopping.

How to Know If a Cartier LOVE Bracelet is Real

Logo: “Cartier” is engraved clearly on the inside of the bracelet.
Material mark: “750” or “950” is clearly engraved inside the bracelet.
Serial number: A 6-digit code is clearly engraved inside the bracelet.
Closure: The bracelet has a well-crafted screw closure.
Weight: The bracelet feels heavy and substantial.

Section 1 of 2:

Differences Between Real & Fake Cartier LOVE Bracelets

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Cartier logo The real Cartier LOVE bracelet features the iconic “Cartier” cursive script logo engraved inside the piece of jewelry. The engraving is precise and clear, making it easy to read, and it’s smooth along the inside edge of the bracelet.^{[1]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: If it’s missing the “Cartier” logo, it’s definitely fake. It may also be fake if the engraving is poorly written, hard to read, or uses the wrong font.
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Material engraving The inside of a real Cartier LOVE bracelet is also engraved with a mark inside the bracelet that designates if it’s made out of gold or platinum. The mark reads “750” for 18 karat gold pieces and “950” for platinum pieces.^{[2]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: If the bracelet is missing either of these marks, includes a different number, or the engraving isn’t clear and precise.
- The “750” mark means that the bracelet is 75% gold (750/1000), and the “950” mark means the bracelet is 95% platinum (950/1000).
- Note: Cartier does not currently make LOVE bracelets in platinum, but they have in the past. If you’re shopping for a pre-loved platinum bracelet, definitely look out for the “950” engraving.
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Serial number After 1974, Cartier started engraving 6-digit serial codes on the inside of the LOVE bracelets. These serial codes are unique to each bracelet and kept in a database that Cartier employees can look up. The code usually starts with 1 to 3 letters and is followed by 5 to 3 numbers (ex: ABC123, AB1234).^{[3]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: The bracelet is missing the serial code, it’s longer or shorter than 6 digits, or the code is poorly engraved.
- Note: Cartier does not authenticate their LOVE bracelets and other jewelry.^{[4]
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  Research source} However, if you visit a boutique to request a cleaning or repair, they might look up the serial number to identify your piece, which can tell you if the bracelet is real or not.
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Locking closure The LOVE bracelet has a very unique closure system: the jewelry is screwed together and secured onto your wrist with a special Cartier screwdriver. You can’t put on the bracelet with anything but this screwdriver. For Classic models, the bracelet is actually 2 separate pieces that are secured together with 2 screws.^{[5]
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Research source} For newer models, the bracelet has a hinge design, so it’s only secured with 1 screw.^{[6]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: It is missing the screw closure design and has some other closure mechanism, or it’s possible to tighten the screws with your hands. Some fake bracelets also have noticeably larger screws, which you can see from the inside of the bracelet.^{[7]
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LOVE screw design The Cartier LOVE bracelet is recognizable by its circular screw motifs that surround the entire bracelet. The screws are perfectly engraved and identical to one another, and are evenly spaced around the bracelet. The lines running through each circle are also perfectly straight and horizontal.^{[8]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: The screw motifs are noticeably larger or smaller compared to the ones on real bracelets. The engraving might be too shallow or deep or have some other inconsistencies, like being too thick or thin in some areas. The pattern might not be evenly spaced, have perfect horizontal lines, or be completely circular, either.
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Weight Because the LOVE bracelets are made almost entirely out of gold or platinum, they have a noticeable heft and weight to them, and feel substantial on your wrist. While the exact weight depends on the size of the bracelet (Small, Medium, or Classic) and any added embellishments (like diamonds or ceramic), the average weight is between 20 to 32 grams (0.7-1.1 oz).^{[9]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: The bracelet is very light and doesn’t feel hefty or substantial.
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Size and thickness Cartier LOVE bracelets only come in a few standard sizes. The Classic and Medium models come in sizes between 15 and 22 cm (5.9-8.7 in), while the Small model comes in sizes between 15 and 20 cm (5.9-7.9 in). Each model also has a set thickness, with the Classic bracelet being 6.1 mm (0.24 in) thick, the Medium being 4.8 mm (0.19 in) thick, and the Small being 3.65 mm (0.14 in) thick.
- Signs the bracelet is fake: It comes in sizes larger or smaller than the set sizes for the Classic, Medium, and Small bracelets. It’s also likely fake if the thickness of the bracelet doesn’t match the set thicknesses of either of the 3 models.
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Shape The Cartier LOVE bracelet is well-known for its elegant oval shape. This allows the bracelet to fit snuggly around your wrist, as most people’s wrists are more oval-shaped than circular. The bracelet is also perfectly shaped with no bent or crooked areas.
- Signs the bracelet is fake: It’s more circular than oval. If any areas of the bracelet look warped or strangely shaped, it’s likely fake, too.
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Materials and embellishments Gold Cartier bracelets come in several different colors, including a warm yellow gold, sleek white gold, and soft rose gold. All of the golds appear high-quality and have a luxurious sheen. Some models include 4, 6, or 10 diamonds set around the screw design, while others are covered in tiny diamonds. There’s also one version that features black ceramic screws.^{[10]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: It doesn’t look like it was made out of high-quality gold: the gold appears very dull or unnaturally shiny, or appears to fade over time. If the bracelet has diamonds, they may be noticeably smaller, come in different amounts, or be unevenly spaced around the bracelet.
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Packaging Cartier is a luxury brand that carefully and lovingly packages their bracelets. If you ordered the bracelet online or asked for gift wrapping in store, the box comes wrapped in white paper that’s sealed with 2 red wax seals. The box itself is sturdy and red with a textured feel and “Cartier” printed in gold on the center. Inside the box is the jewelry box, which is red with intricate gold detailing. The inside of the box is covered with black velvet, and a gold “Cartier” logo is printed on the top of the lid.^{[11]
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- The Cartier screwdriver also comes inside the jewelry box and is in the same color as the bracelet (yellow, white, or rose gold). The screwdriver is not solid gold, but it is plated.
- The packaging also includes a red gift bag with a gold “Cartier” logo for both in-store and online purchases, a red velvet jewelry pouch, your receipt, and the certificate of authenticity.
- Signs the bracelet is fake: Any of the packaging feels low quality or poorly made. The “Cartier” logos may be printed incorrectly or use the wrong font, too. The shade of red used on the box and jewelry box may appear off as well.
- Note: If you’re buying a bracelet second-hand, it is possible that the seller has lost or damaged the packaging. So, check for other signs that the bracelet is real or fake.
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Certificate of authenticity Every Cartier LOVE bracelet comes with a certificate of authenticity. The certificate is inside a little red booklet with “Cartier” printed in gold on the front. The certificate includes the bracelet’s serial number (which matches the number on the bracelet), the date it was purchased, and a red stamp in the bottom left corner. There is also text at the top that certifies the bracelet is authentic and from the LOVE collection.^{[12]
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- Signs the bracelet is fake: It does not come with a certificate of authenticity, or the certificate is missing the serial number, date, or stamp. It may also be fake if the serial number doesn’t match the number on the inside of the bracelet. Fakes might also use the wrong font or have noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes.
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General quality Above all, what truly sets Cartier LOVE bracelets apart from all the rest is their quality. Everything about the bracelet is perfect, from the clear engravings and uniform screw design to the luxurious solid gold material and oval shape. Just receiving the bracelet feels like a luxury experience, as all of the packaging is high quality, too. Additionally, the written text and documentation about the bracelet are clear and understandable with no spelling or grammar errors.
- Signs the bracelet is fake: Any part of the bracelet, packaging, or documentation feels low quality or off. This includes engraving inconsistencies, a lightweight feel to the jewelry, flimsy packaging, and spelling mistakes.
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Price The Cartier LOVE bracelet is truly a luxury jewelry piece that has a staggering price tag to match its high-quality design. The least expensive model is a whopping $5,000 (Small, no diamonds), while thicker models with diamond embellishments cost over $10,000. Second-hand bracelets aren’t much cheaper, with most only selling for a few hundred dollars below the original retail price.
- Signs the bracelet is fake: The price seems too good to be true. Prices that are inexpensive compared to the true retail price (under $4,000) or are very, very low (under $1,000) are almost guaranteed to be fakes.
- If you’re buying second-hand, a legitimate seller will know how expensive the LOVE bracelet is and price it accordingly. Unless the bracelet is heavily damaged, you’re very unlikely to see an authentic one selling for less than $3,000.

Section 2 of 2:

How to Avoid Buying a Fake Cartier Bracelet

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Buy a bracelet from Cartier or a reputable retailer. The best way to ensure your Cartier LOVE bracelet is authentic is to buy it directly from Cartier, either from their online store or at a boutique near you. Cartier also carries their jewelry in some fine jewelry stores, as well as department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.
- If you’re interested in buying a pre-loved bracelet, shop at a trustworthy store like The RealReal or Bloomingdale's.
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Check the pictures and reviews carefully if you’re buying second-hand. Review the images of the bracelet closely to look for signs that it may be fake. Compare those images to real pictures of the bracelet, too, to help you authenticate it. Then, read through the seller’s reviews to see if people are happy with their purchases. If they don’t have a lot of reviews or people report getting fake items, shop somewhere else.
- If the seller doesn’t provide detailed images of the bracelet, ask them to send better photos. If they refuse or don’t respond, that’s your sign to buy from a different seller.
- If possible, inspect the bracelet in person. The look and feel of the bracelet when it’s in your hand is often the best way to tell if it’s real.
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Ensure the bracelet has an authenticity certificate when buying pre-owned. The authenticity certificate is one of the best ways to help ensure your bracelet is legit. Most reputable sellers understand the value and importance of the certificate, so they’ll be sure to sell their bracelet with it. If the bracelet you’re looking at doesn’t come with a certificate, look for a different seller.
- Note: The authenticity certificate isn’t a guarantee that the bracelet is real. Unfortunately, many scammers create fake certificates to go along with their fake bracelets. So, look the certificate over for signs that it’s not real, as well as the rest of the bracelet.
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Be suspicious of low prices if you’re shopping second-hand. As mentioned, real Cartier LOVE bracelets cost at least $5,000, though second-hand pieces may be a tiny bit cheaper. If you’re looking at a bracelet that’s only a couple of thousand dollars or hundreds of dollars, it’s very likely a fake.
- Tip: Make your purchase with a credit card, if possible. If it turns out that the bracelet is fake and the seller refuses to give you a refund, you can submit a dispute with your credit card company and get your money back.
- If you find out that you bought a fake bracelet, Cartier recommends that you contact their Client Relations Team to tell them about the counterfeit jewelry.

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Tips

If you’re still not sure whether your Cartier LOVE bracelet is real or not, get it authenticated. While Cartier doesn’t explicitly authenticate their jewelry, they don’t work on counterfeit items, so requesting a cleaning or repair could tell you if it's real or not. Some jewelry stores may authenticate your bracelet, while there are many online companies that authenticate Cartier bracelets, like LegitGrails.

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