Authentication Guides
Practical, honest guides to photo-based luxury authentication: how the process works, how to photograph your items well, what to prepare for specific brands, and how to buy secondhand more safely.
How online authentication works
What Photos Do You Need for Online Luxury Authentication?
A practical overview of the photos online authentication actually uses — overall shots, labels, stitching, hardware and serial details — and how guided checklists remove the guesswork.
Photo Authentication vs In-Person Authentication
How photo-based authentication compares with in-person inspection — what each can examine, where each fits, and how to choose for your situation.
What Happens When More Photos Are Needed?
Why an authentication review sometimes needs additional photos, how the request works at Guardvera, and how to avoid it slowing your result down.
Photo guidance
How to Photograph a Handbag for Authentication
Shot-by-shot technique for handbag authentication photos: the front, interior label, stitching, serial or date code and hardware — with the lighting and framing that make each shot usable.
How to Photograph a Watch for Authentication
How to shoot usable watch authentication photos — dial, crown side, caseback exterior, clasp and bracelet — without opening anything, and how to beat glare on polished surfaces.
Common Photo Mistakes That Make Authentication Harder
The photo problems that slow authentication reviews down — glare, soft focus, distance, missing angles — and the simple technique that prevents each one.
Brand guides
Louis Vuitton Authentication Guide
How Louis Vuitton authentication works online: which pieces people submit, what the photo checklist covers — including the date code where present — and how to prepare a pre-owned purchase for review.
Chanel Authentication Guide
What to prepare when authenticating a Chanel handbag online: the photo set reviewers use, how to treat authenticity cards and stickers as supporting material, and pre-owned buying preparation.
Rolex Authentication Guide
What photo-based Rolex authentication can honestly assess, why the caseback stays closed, what to photograph, and when a watchmaker's physical inspection is the right next step.
Supreme Legit Check Guide
How a Supreme legit check works online: why resale culture made checking standard practice, what to photograph on tees, hoodies and collabs, and how collaborations are handled.
Real vs fake, responsibly
Buying secondhand
How to Buy a Pre-Owned Designer Bag More Safely
A practical safety routine for pre-owned designer bag purchases: choosing where to buy, reading listings, requesting the photos that matter, and slotting an independent review into the deal.
When Should You Authenticate a Secondhand Item?
Not every purchase needs authentication — but some always do. A practical framework for deciding when to review a secondhand item, before or after buying, and when to skip it.
Guardvera is an independent authentication service and is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by any brand it reviews. Brand names are used for identification only.