How to Spot a Fake Brighton Handbag: Authentication Guide, History & Warranty Explained

Brighton Collectibles was started by high school sweethearts Terri Kravitz and Jerry Kohl in 1991. What began as a collection of belts ultimately expanded to include other accessories such as handbags, perfumes, watches, eyewear, wallets, footwear, and jewelry.

Known as a one-stop destination for dressing women from head to toe, Brighton’s purses and handbags are some of the label’s more popular products that are highly sought-after and collected by chic women worldwide.

A playful Brighton tote covered in hand-drawn hearts and slogans adds a pop of personality to a breezy polka-dot skirt and casual sneakers (Credit: Brighton)

Yet, like other labels with a stylish following, many Brighton bags are copied and counterfeited. With each Brighton handbag lovingly sketched by a designer and manufactured by hand, you definitely don’t want to end up with a counterfeit version!

Brighton’s hand-braided Vega mini crossbody bag is inspired by the clean lines and architecture of Santorini, Greece (Credit: Brighton)

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to tell whether a bag is real or fake. The main rule is to remain vigilant when purchasing Brighton bags, especially if they’re from a reseller or a secondhand store.

Where to Buy Authentic Brighton Handbags (Safely & Directly)

Brighton bags are the perfect finishing touches to elevate everyday looks, whether you’re after a luxe leather bag or a bohemian chic embroidered tote.

If you’re unsure where to get your Brighton handbag, you can safely purchase authentic bags from trusted online retailers like Brighton and Amazon.

Over 180 stores in the United States and Canada, and 5,000 specialty retailers carry Brighton’s stylish handbags.

The best way to be sure that you are buying an authentic Brighton handbag is to buy it from an authorized retailer (Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)

While it’s common to spot Brighton bags in vintage and secondhand stores, it’s important to remember that the counterfeit versions look almost as good as the authentic ones.

If you’re ever unsure whether a Brighton bag is authentic, a few key details can quickly reveal whether you’re holding the real thing or a convincing copy.

1. Verify the Brighton Registration Number & Warranty Patch

Each Brighton handbag is equipped with a registration number, which is found on a square leather patch stitched inside the purse’s interior. This number comprises a unique and varied combination of letters and numbers.

You can verify the registration number by contacting Brighton’s attentive customer service or visiting one of their many boutiques.

By registering your Brighton handbag, you’ll get a warranty for two full years from the date of your purchase (Credit: Brighton)

Once you register your handbag, Brighton automatically gives you the Brighton Promise, a guaranteed bag warranty of two years from your purchase date. All registered leather bags also qualify for free cleaning and conditioning.

If you are concerned about the authenticity of your Brighton handbag, you can contact Brighton customer service for assistance. They can help you verify the bag’s authenticity.

2. Inspect the Hardware, Stitching, and Signature Charms

Every Brighton bag is renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship and quality, so you should be able to gauge a handbag’s authenticity by looking at its hardware and stitching.

While most Brighton bags are meticulously hand-stitched, this varies significantly with the designs and collections. However, if you notice uneven or frayed stitching, this indicates the product might be fake.

Brighton’s Heart to Heart Collection features multi-pocketed, featherweight bags (Credit: Brighton)

The same attention should be paid to the zippers and the heart-shaped charms attached to the handles—if the hardware feels unusually lightweight or shows signs of chipping or tarnishing, it’s often a red flag for a counterfeit.

The hardware on a Brighton handbag is made of high-quality metal, such as brass or nickel

3. Sanity-Check the Price: When a Brighton Deal Is Too Cheap

In general, Brighton bags cost between $100 and $600. If you’re offered a Brighton bag at a much lower rate, you should investigate before taking the plunge.

For example, if it’s from an online reseller, review past reviews to check whether the vendor has had many happy customers and watch out for unsatisfactory comments and reviews.

4. Assess the Materials: Leather Quality, Weight, and Finish

Brighton bags are made from a range of materials, from supple leather for daily adventures to sturdy nylon for rainy days.

Brighton’s Pretty Tough Collection features handbags made from soft, supple leathers that are punctuated by silver studs and finished with silver-plated hardware (Credit: Brighton)

An easy way to tell whether your Brighton bag is a counterfeit product is to examine whether the leather feels rough against your skin or if the material isn’t up to Brighton’s high standards.

5. Compare Against Brighton’s Official Site & Current Collections

If you’re still unsure about the authenticity of your Brighton bag, visit the label’s website to compare and contrast your item with the many bag styles available there.

By evaluating the standard of workmanship, such as the interior lining and seams, and examining the places of manufacture, you should get a good sense of what to expect from an authentic Brighton handbag.
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Where Brighton Handbags Are Made (Country-by-Country Breakdown)

Although Brighton Collectibles’ headquarters are still in Redondo Beach, California, it is not believed to have any manufacturing facilities in the United States. Unfortunately, the company makes it difficult to see where its products are made.

Brighton handbags and leather accessories are hand-assembled in China and often require as many as 140 individual manufacturing steps using up to 40 parts. Brighton jewelry is made in Taiwan.

The company’s footwear line is manufactured in Italy or Brazil. A few specialty items, such as flip-flops, sneakers, and espadrilles, are produced in China and India.

Brighton claims that the people who craft their products abroad are treated with the same high level of respect as those who work in the company’s offices in the United States.

Is Brighton Jewelry Real Silver? Materials, Plating & Stamps Explained

Each piece is cast in solid brass or zinc alloy and is plated in pure silver. Since silver has a natural tendency to tarnish (oxidize) and scratch, a protective layer of lacquer is added to assist in retarding this natural process.

Brighton earring posts, French wires, and lever backs are composed of sterling silver, an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper.

Clip-on earrings are not sterling silver but stamped brass with a plating finish. Brighton manufactures certain ring styles in sterling silver. These rings have a 925 stamp on the inside.

Brighton Handbag Warranty Explained: What’s Covered (and What’s Not)

No, Brighton purses do not have a lifetime warranty. However, they do have a two-year warranty against workmanship and structural defects. If your purse breaks due to a defect in the materials or construction, Brighton will repair or replace it for free within two years of purchase.

Each Brighton-registered handbag has a registration number on a leather patch stitched inside. This number is used to identify the handbag and track its warranty status.

A Brighton Collectibles storefront showcases the brand’s signature handbags and accessories, highlighting its polished, boutique-style shopping experience (Credit: ZikG / Shutterstock)

The registration number is not a serial number. A serial number is a unique identifier that is assigned to each product. The registration number is used to identify a Brighton handbag, but it is not unique to each handbag.

You must register your purse with Brighton to be eligible for the warranty. You can do this online or by mail. Once it is registered, you must provide proof of purchase when you make a warranty claim.

The warranty does not cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, abuse, neglect, or accidents, such as spills or dropped objects.

How Your Next Shoes Helps You Spot Authentic Bags & Shoes

Knowing what to look for in an authentic Brighton handbag doesn’t just help with one purchase—it sharpens your eye across fashion accessories as a whole.

At Your Next Shoes, we regularly break down the telltale details that separate the real thing from clever counterfeits, whether you’re shopping for handbags, shoes, or finishing pieces that complete a head-to-toe look.