From showing horses I have gotten a variety of them. Here are my opinions on the brands I've won.
Montana silver- eh, okay, but they aren't anything special. Not much variety in the designs, see many of the exact same style just from a different event. Once you get one better you don't go back.
Kathy's- proud to have won it, but I hate the buckle itself and how it hooks into the belt. I have never worn it
Dale chavez-probably my favorite, never saw one similar outside of the others that were won at the show I got mine, very nice overall, stayed in great shape during use, won in 2009 and wore fore 2 years, only a few spots lost the shiny coat, but it is where the seat belt would rub it. Beautiful buckle!
Gist silversmiths- really like these too, don't onow how they vary in design, but they are nice looking and I wear both of mine right now.
I would not get one with sterling silver overlay...pain to deal with because you will have to clean it everytime you wanna wear it because of tarnishing. I would go with a gist or a chavez(if you have big budget, definitely chavez...no question)