Belt

1. Texture & Surface Inspection

• Real leather has a natural grain pattern with slight imperfections

2. Smell Test

• Genuine leather has a strong, rich, musky smell due to natural animal hide.
• Synthetic leather smells like plastic or chemicals.

3. Water Absorption Test

• Drop a small amount of water on the surface.
• Real leather absorbs the water and darkens slightly.
• Fake leather repels water, and the droplet stays on the surface.

4. Edge Inspection

• Pure leather has rough, fibrous edges.
• Fake leather has smooth, plastic-like or sealed edges.

5. Flexibility & Durability

• Real leather is flexible and softens over time without cracking.
• Fake leather remains stiff or starts peeling/cracking after some use.

6. Crease & Wrinkle Test

• Bend or press the leather.
• Real leather forms natural creases and returns to shape.
• Fake leather remains stiff or develops unnatural wrinkles.

7. Heat or Flame Test (Use Caution!)

• Hold a lighter or heat source near an inconspicuous part.
• Genuine leather burns slightly and smells like burning hair.
• Fake leather melts and smells like burning plastic.

8. Scratch Test

• Lightly scratch the surface.
• Real leather may show minor marks that fade over time.
• Fake leather either remains unchanged or gets permanent scratches.

9. Stitching & Layer Inspection

• Check a cut or stitched edge.
• Genuine leather is a single, solid material.
• Bonded or synthetic leather may have multiple layers glued together.

10. Label & Certification Check

• Look for authenticity labels like:
  • "Full-Grain Leather" (highest quality, most durable).
  • "Top-Grain Leather" (processed but still high-quality).
  • "Genuine Leather" (real but lower grade).
  • Avoid Bonded Leather or PU Leather (not 100% leather).

If the belt passes most of these tests, it is 100% pure leather. If it fails multiple tests, it may be synthetic or bonded leather.