HERMES AUTHENTICITY
Authenticating Hermès at A Second Chance
Renowned for its craftsmanship, heritage, and exclusivity, Hermès represents the pinnacle of luxury. Every Hermès piece, from the iconic Birkin to the Kelly and Constance, is handmade by a single artisan using time-honored techniques passed down through generations.
At A Second Chance, our team has spent over 30 years handling and authenticating Hermès handbags, accessories, and small leather goods. We ensure every Hermès item we sell is 100% authentic or your money back.
The Hermès Craftsmanship Standard
Each Hermès bag is constructed from hand-cut, hand-stitched materials, a process that can take anywhere from 18 to 40 hours to complete. The brand’s legendary attention to detail makes authenticating Hermès both an art and a science, requiring expertise, patience, and a deep understanding of the house’s evolving design signatures.
Key Hermès Authentication Details
1. Stitching
All Hermès leather goods are meticulously hand-stitched using a saddle stitch technique.
- Stitches are small (approximately 3mm) and set on a slight diagonal.
- Consistency and precision are key, uneven or perfectly machine-like stitching may indicate a replica.
- Thread color always complements, never contrasts, the leather unless intentionally designed.
2. Stamping & Engraving
Every Hermès leather item carries three key markings:
- Hermès Logo Stamp – Reads “HERMÈS PARIS MADE IN FRANCE” with the proper accent over the second “E.” On Birkin and Kelly bags, this stamp appears near the top edge (not centered). The color of the stamp should match the hardware.
- Date Stamp – Indicates the year of production. Hermès began using date stamps in 1945 with an “A,” cycling through the alphabet over time and enclosing the letters in different shapes (circle, square, etc.) for each generation.
- Craftsman Stamp – A unique combination of letters or symbols identifying the artisan who made the bag.
3. Date Stamp Evolution
- 1945–1970: Single letters (A–Z) without shapes.
- 1971–1996: Letters inside a circle.
- 1997–2014: Letters inside a square.
- 2015–present: New coding system with no shape
Our in-house team cross-references each date and craftsman stamp combination to ensure every Hermès item aligns with its correct production era.
Hermès Leathers Guide
Hermès offers an extraordinary variety of leathers, each prized for its texture, finish, and durability. Understanding them is essential to authentication and valuation.
Most Popular Leathers:
- Togo: Soft pebbled calfskin; lightweight, grainy, and scratch-resistant.
- Clemence: Baby bull leather with a flatter grain and more relaxed drape. Slightly heavier and more matte than Togo.
Other Notable Leathers:
- Box Calf: Smooth, glossy leather often seen on vintage Kelly bags. Scratches can be buffed over time.
- Swift (formerly Gulliver): Soft, fine-grained leather with a luminous surface; absorbs color beautifully.
- Epsom: Embossed, lightweight, and structured. Resistant to scratches and holds shape well.
- Chevre: Goat leather available in several varieties; textured, durable, and naturally shiny.
- Amazonia: Rubber-coated canvas once used for waterproof styles; now discontinued and collectible.
Exotics:
Hermès also crafts in rare materials such as Niloticus Crocodile, Porosus Crocodile, Alligator, Lizard, and Ostrich, each authenticated through specific pore patterns, scaling, and hardware engravings (often a small symbol near the brand stamp).
Why Buy Hermès from A Second Chance
- Guaranteed Authenticity: Every Hermès item we sell undergoes a rigorous, multi-point authentication process.
- Decades of Expertise: Our family-run boutique has specialized in authentic Hermès resale since 1993.
- Transparency & Trust: All listings include detailed condition notes and photos.
- Sustainable Luxury: Purchasing pre-owned Hermès supports responsible luxury and extends the life of iconic designs.
Shop Authentic Hermès
Explore our curated collection of pre-owned Hermès handbags, accessories, and small leather goods, including Birkin, Kelly, and Constance bags—each meticulously verified and authenticated.
