1) The Touch
A genuine leather feels warm to touch BUT the artificial leather gives the feeling of something cold and lifeless. Real leather reacts to friction with nails. If one genuine leather scratch with a fingernail can dislodge some particles called the flower of the skin. It will leave a mark in real leather.
A genuine leather will be hard to pierce with a needle
2) The Smell
This is one of the most important test. In general,real furs have a characteristic odor. This odor will be different depending on the leather, either belts, shoes, leather jackets or small leather goods. Stronger will go smoother. The leatherette for example have a characteristic smell of plastic.
Beware of any form in the market because there are skins that mimic the artificial fragrances smell of the real leather. In this case, the smell is lost over time as all artificial scents.
3) The Sight
In the genuine leather can be observed in the texture of the skin pores which does not occur in plastic. Although in this case is much easier to deceive a rookie observer in the matter.
4) Fire
The easiest and the ultimate way to identify the leather is through fire.
Taking the heat source near the garment or article slowly. If it starts to deform irregularly, it is fake. If it burns, it is either plastic or vinyl. Instead genuine leather will NOT deform. The skin shrinks when cooled but will return to it's original state.
This is a disapproved test. Not recommended to make that in a shop.
