A trademark of excellence, authentic Hermes handbags can often be difficult to find. Poorly made counterfeits flood the market, and are available on street corners and even in stores. With a bit of research and some skilled detective work, you can spot the real deal and stay away from inferior knock-offs. A great deal of care goes into the making of each bag, and Hermes designers have planted some "signature" techniques that should make recognizing their original product much easier.
Similar to designer clothing, handbags are all about the details. A card that declares the item's authenticity is no longer the main standard. Most high-end handbags come with booklets of information that describe the product as well as the process of what makes it an original. History about the designer can help you spot an original as well.

Nearly all Hermes bags on the open (resale) market are counterfeit. Below is a "hot list" of traits to look for when shopping for your authentic Hermes purse.

• Authentic Hermes bags have the Hermes emblem engraved rather than embossed on the hardware. Engraving is a process where the letters sit lower than the metal, and embossing is the opposite, meaning that the letters are raised.