If only all the fakes were as roughly cast as the ones Eric showed in that older post, it would be a cinch to spot them!

So we're basically on the lookout for softer metals and signs of plating, rather than an homogeneous, fairly hard and scratch resistant alloy. Unfortunately, the purveyors of the fakes are unlikely to let you try them enough to check that - excessive reticence to let you even look could be a warning sign though.

If they're using nickel in any quantity, a number of people are allergic to skin contact with it so if you experience dermatitis-like irritation that could be another sign. Though it's also used in many coins (and the UK 5 and 10p pieces will be coated in pure nickel from this year), so you will have likely experienced symptoms via that route before a buckle will set you off. Women also seem more susceptible than men, so you may want to wait for your significant other to go off to sleep and then test your buckles out on her! Make sure she's very deep asleep though, cos if she wakes whilst you're rubbing buckles on her, that's going to be one hell of a one to explain away ;D!!!