In many countries, the attitude towards furs is a constantly debated issue. The debate about this is even more heated than about politics. The observed trend is interesting. Supporters of a complete rejection of fur in the wardrobe prevail in countries with a relatively mild climate. Russian climatic conditions shape other desires. A natural fur coat for the inhabitants of most of the country is an urgent need.

Consumer properties of fur

The choice of a fur coat must be approached responsibly.

Buying a fur coat is a significant event. I would like to purchase a beautiful, comfortable, light and warm product. It is desirable that it be worn longer without losing its appearance. The quality of fur is determined by many factors that ordinary consumers are not always aware of.

Hairline

The characteristics of the hairline and the condition of the skin of the skins are of prime importance. The length of the hairline is significantly different:

• the fur of wolves and raccoons is 90 mm;
• moles, ground squirrels - 15 mm;
• foxes, arctic foxes, beavers and otters - from 50 mm to 90 mm;
• mink, marten, sable, nutria - from 25 mm to 50 mm;
• ermine, marmots - from 15 to 25 mm.

Fur density

For the future owner of fur coats, an important indicator is density. It informs about the number of hairs per square centimeter.

• The fur of otters, beavers, polar foxes, and white hares is the thickest of all. It contains up to 20,000 hairs per unit of area.
• From 12,000 to 20,000 hairs per 1 cm² of fur of sables, European hares, rabbits, muskrats.
• The average density of fur in foxes, wolves, martens, squirrels. It ranges from 6,000 to 12,000 units.
• The furs of the badger, marmot, astrakhan fur, sheepskin (from 2000 to 6000) are rare-haired.
• The smallest density, barely reaching 2000, has the furs of the ground squirrel, all types of hamsters, bears.

Volume

Many ladies dream of buying fluffy fur coats. Volume is created by the specific features of the hairline.

• Arctic foxes and foxes have the most luxuriant fur.
• It is followed by marten and sable in terms of splendor.
• Mink and muskrat are of medium splendor.
• Fur of moles, gophers and seals cannot be called lush.

Shine

The hair of any animal has a waxy coating, the composition of which determines the ability to reflect light rays. The most beautiful is the silky sheen characteristic of high-quality minks and other expensive furs. Many people like the vitreous sheen of nutria or the dullness of mutons.

Heat resistance

Sheepskin coat is very warm.

The aesthetic properties of a fur coat should not overshadow its heat resistance. Beauty certainly requires some kind of sacrifice, but they should be minimal.

• The warmest coats are made of foxes, polar foxes, beavers, sheepskin.
• The coldest furs of gophers, moles, hamsters.

All other popular types of furs occupy an intermediate position in the rating of heat resistance.

Weight

In many regions, a fur coat is an everyday item in a wardrobe. In the long winter period, the fairer sex will have to wear a fur product every day. The weight of the fur coat is of no small importance.

• The fur of a wolf and a lynx has a very large weight.
• Slightly less heavy are products made from otters, beavers, sheepskin.
• Average weight in nutria, mink, rabbits.
• Fur coats made of gophers, moles, and hares weigh almost nothing.

Weariness

The wear of fur coats is of great importance for potential buyers. They all have a tangible price tag. Not every lady can plan such purchases or count on gifts often.

• The furs of otters, beavers and seals do not wear out for the longest time.
• In the second place in the rating of wear resistance are mink, muskrat, astrakhan fur.
• Sable, marten, sheepskin are characterized by slightly less wear and tear.
• The fur of hares, ground squirrels, moles and hamsters closes the rating list.

Experts say that at the current pace of life of most women, the resistance to wear of fur coats in practice is much less than stated. Under the conditions of everyday wear in large cities with their environmental stress, long trips in cars or public transport, the fur of many fur coats loses its attractiveness 2 times faster than it was planned by manufacturers.

Of great importance in ensuring the consumer properties of fur coats are the conditions for keeping animals, the composition of feed. It is also impossible to count on good quality if the technology of processing and dressing of fur is not followed.

Review of materials popular on the domestic market

More than 100 types of furs and furs obtained from hunting farms, obtained from nurseries, supplied from agricultural or domestic animals, are offered to Russian consumers.

Sable

The most valuable is fur with a dark base and grayish-blue hairline ends.

Sable fur has remained an elite fur for several centuries. It is available in several colors: from sandy to dark brown. The look with a dark base and grayish-blue hairline ends is considered especially sophisticated.

The fur of an animal is highly dependent on its habitat (ridge):

• Barguzin specimens have a beautiful color and silkiness.
• Good quality fur in Yakut animals.
• Representatives of Kamchatka are gaining popularity. According to the results of recent fairs, it became obvious that its price already exceeds the cost of the Barguzin sable.
• The price also increased, outstripping the prices for the fur of the Yenisei animals, the Amur sable.

Uneducated buyers may mistake marten or kidus skins for sable fur (a cross between sable and marten).

Marten

The marten has less lush, soft, silky hair than all sable species. The appearance of the marten fur strongly depends on the place of residence of the animals:

• Furs from the northern regions, the Kuban, the Caucasus and Central Asia are presented on the domestic market.
• You can see on sale products from marten fur brought from Canada. It is distinguished by its high weight, blurred color, often called the Canadian sable.

Fox

On the fur market, fox skins are presented in large quantities - both free and caged individuals.

• The most expensive fur of red animals with various red shades.
• Red furs with grayish tints are less valuable.

The fur of animals of the Urals, Siberia and the North is distinguished by its splendor, silkiness. The farther south the animals are located, the rougher the appearance of their fur.

• The furs of free steppe foxes are supplied from Central Asia and Kazakhstan. They are all shades of gray.
• Animals in the Lower Volga region are painted in sandy colors with a reddish or gray color.
• For experimental model products, the hairline of animals after mutations is sometimes used. These are creative products of a high price category.

The fur of cellular animals has excellent qualities. It differs in:

• long, elastic hairline;
• uniform, varied color - platinum, silver-black, snow-white.

Mink

Mink coats are expensive and stylish.

A special place in the group of fur products is occupied by mink coats. These are always expensive, fashion products.

It is useful to know that male skins are large and have high hair. They cost more.

The quality of the mink differs markedly among individuals of different ridges.

• In animals that are hunted, the fur is black with blue down, dark or light shades of brown.
• Commercial minks are harvested in Siberia, the North and the Caucasus.
• Caged animals have uniformly tall, soft fur. They have a long, beautiful tail. On average, individuals contained in cages are larger than free animals. Possibly, this is due to the good conditions of detention, the absence of the need to get food.

Through the efforts of breeders on the basis of the American mink, it was possible to create a huge number of types.

• Russian animals are adapted to moisture. Their fur is much warmer, slightly more shaggy than that of the American ancestors.
• There are many Scandinavian mink fur coats on the domestic market. It is also well suited to Russian climatic conditions.

The fur of animals grown in cages can have different colors. Experts have 17 color groups, each of which has many shades. The prices for the fur of caged animals are largely determined by fashion and demand. They can differ significantly with quite comparable quality.

It is important to know that some manufacturers can dye mink fur, "forgetting" to inform the buyer about it. Often this is how an imitation of expensive, dark fur is obtained from a not very beautiful light one.

A dyed mink should cost less than an untreated one. Even the most professional dyeing involves the treatment of fur with chemical reagents. The quality of the fur cannot improve from this.

Through the efforts of the designers, the species of plucked and sheared minks have been obtained. They are original, they can have unique interesting ornaments. These products are aimed at fans of non-standard products.

Arctic fox

Arctic foxes have long, thick, beautiful hair. The prey comes from white furs. Several types of blue animals are bred in nurseries.

• The most beautiful white fur of the Arctic foxes of Yakutia. It is expensive.
• Less silkiness in animals of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
• Pechora Arctic foxes have not very lush, small milky skins.
• Amazing shades of blue in caged animals. Through the efforts of breeders, thick, lush varieties of furs have been obtained. They are constantly exposed at auctions and have high prices.

In different parts of our vast country, very different furs are popular. The taste is formed from generation to generation, largely due to the peculiarities of the climate in each specific place. The solvency of buyers in this region is of great importance.

When buying a fur coat, be sure to look at the product certificate. You must be able to access the back of the fur. Professional, reputable manufacturers never sew on the lining. Inspection of the inside of the fur allows you to assess the size of the skins, the quality of the seams and dressing. If the lining is firmly sewn on everywhere and the seller categorically refuses to rip it up, apparently, the price of the fur coat is too high and does not correspond to its quality.

In general, according to the value and beauty of fur, they are divided into three groups.

, the most expensive, include the fur of black and silver fox, sable, chinchilla, American mink, marten, beaver, otter, bear (all species), white and black wolf.

To the second group

Average in value, they combine the furs of the red fox, squirrels, desman, wolverine and ferret.

To the third group

the fur of the Russian mink, hare, rabbit, mole is ranked

5 groups of furs are conventionally distinguished.

The first group of furs is the most wear-resistant, the last of furs is the least durable.

The first group of fur products made from skins:

otter, beaver, cat.

The second group of fur products from skins:

karakul, mink, muskrat.

The third group of fur products from skins:

sable, marten, gopher-sandstone, sheepskin, smushka.

The fourth group of fur products from skins:

squirrels, ermine, rabbit.

The fifth group of fur products from skins:

hare, gopher, hamster, mole.

Directly from one of the main qualities of fur - its durability, or as experts say - "fur wear".

Wear is determined in "seasons". Or, more simply, in the number of winters during which your fur coat does not turn bald, does not fade or wipe out in public transport. Here is the data on the wear of some furs, established in two values ​​- in "seasons" and in percentage. Do not consider it a mistake that the same number of "seasons" can correspond to different percentages of wear and vice versa.

Fur wear	in seasons	in percentages
River beaver
Fur seal
Arctic fox, Marten
Astrakhan
Muskrat, Red fox
Muskrat
Squirrel, Marmot
Stoat, Lynx

Fur value and durability

The value of furs is determined by five parameters of the hairline.

The density of the hairline of the fur depends not only on the number of hairs, but also on their thickness. According to the density of fur, the following groups are distinguished:

• especially thick-haired: beaver, otter, arctic fox;
• thick-haired: sable, muskrat, rabbit;
• medium density: marten, squirrel, fox;
• rare-haired: gopher, hamster.

According to the height of the hairline, the skins are divided into groups:

• long-haired with a hairline height of more than 5 centimeters: fox, arctic fox;
• medium-haired with a hair height of 2.5 to 5 centimeters: sable, marten, rabbit;
• short-haired with a hairline height of less than 2.5 centimeters: mole and gopher.

The skins, which have high and thick fur, are the warmest.

SOFTNESS

The softest are the skins of mink, squirrel, arctic fox, muskrat, sable, fox, marten, nutria and otter.

The shine of the hairline of the fur is either glassy, ​​sharp, or silky, that is, softer. The most valuable is fur with a silky sheen.

SOCKS

The wear resistance of fur is a combination of the wear resistance of the hairline, leather tissue and the strength of the hair bond. The wear of fur is determined not only by its natural properties, but also by the skill of the furrier.

The wear resistance of fur products largely depends on the type of fur from which they are made and the method of processing it.

To bring the values ​​of real fur wear as close as possible to the "ideal" one is a rather difficult problem that can be solved only by observing two conditions:

Purchase fur products only from "reputable" manufacturers providing the entire cycle of technological operations for processing and sewing fur.

Properly take care of the thing you bought.

Everything you need to know when buying a fur coat

The quality and wear of fur coats depend primarily on the quality of the fur. The fur should be "winter". At this time of the year, the fur of the animals is very dense and has thick downs.

Secondly, there must be good dressing of the fur, that is, the flesh - the reverse side of the skin - must be soft and elastic. The flesh of unpainted skins should be white. If the skin is yellow, it means that the fur is old.

And, thirdly, the wear of fur coats depends on the type of fur. The maximum wear is for otter fur, followed by beaver, raccoon, sable, mink, astrakhan fur, nutria, muskrat, etc. The worst wear is for rabbit, goat, and hare fur. For some types of fur (for example, nutria), it is especially important that the fur is from a wild animal or grown in a cage. That is why the Argentine nutria is prized, it is wild.

HOW TO CHECK THE QUALITY OF SEWING AND HANDLING OF FUR? In a nutshell, you can answer this way: the fur should be thick, shiny, elastic, without bald spots, the flesh should be white, soft, not rattling. If the manufacturer of fur coats is not afraid for the quality of the products, the lining is not sewn on tightly - you can see from the inside the quality of the skins. When choosing and buying a fur coat, firstly, you need to decide where to buy. It is better to do this in a store that has been operating for several years. If you find defects during the warranty period - and this is almost a whole calendar year - you can exchange your fur coat or get your money back. When buying on the market, this is very problematic.

It is necessary to clearly imagine where you will mainly wear a fur coat. If you are driving a car, a short sheepskin coat or a jacket made of short-haired furs (mink, otter, etc.) will do. If in winter you have to walk with your child in a stroller, take a long and warm fur coat made of a beaver, fox, polar fox or mink.

Often buyers ask the question: which is better - a fur coat "in dissolution" or from solid plates? Both those and others have the right to life. If the skin is thick, like that of a beaver, nutria, raccoon, it is better to dissolve. Then the fur coat "sits" more comfortably and does not stand with a stake. If the flesh is thin, say, like that of a mink, a fur coat in loosening can make obese women slimmer (but this is not a rule). It all depends on the specific model, the length of the fur coat, color, etc. Naturally, you need to pay attention to the quality of the fur and its manufacture.

IS IT WORTH BUYING DYED FUR? Here one should distinguish for what the fur was dyed. If in order to hide defects in the fur and its dressing (for this, as a rule, dark colors are used), this is unacceptable. But there are other purposes of coloring. For example, for wild nutria, dyeing the fur is necessary, since the natural color is not very attractive.

In addition, fashion dictates the expansion of the color gamut of furs and very often toning of fur or its dyeing in one or more colors is used. Considering the high level of modern technologies and the high quality of dyes, such coloration does not significantly affect the quality of fur. Therefore, if you like a bright red mink or purple fox fur coat, feel free to buy.

However, all other things being equal, dyed fur will not last as long as natural color. Check the color fastness: wrap a bun of hair with a handkerchief and rub between your fingers. If the slightest trace remains, the fur coat will get dirty when worn.

WHAT TO CHOOSE - FUR COAT OR DOUBLE COAT? It's a matter of taste. But, objectively speaking, a fur coat is more practical. She is not afraid of rain, dirt, and the fashion for fur coats is more conservative. Having bought it today, and in five years you will not look like a “black sheep”.

HOW TO CHECK THE QUALITY OF HANDLING? Crumple up any detail of the fur product - it should take its original shape almost immediately. The skin should be soft, the hair shiny and crumbly. If this is not the case, then most likely you have a hand-made fur in front of you. Smell: "self-selection" always gives off a strong unpleasant smell. Stroke the fur against the grain - long hairs should not break, the underplugs should be thick enough. The hair of the fur should not come off easily from the skin. Do not believe if you will be assured that a tuft of hair left in your hands is normal, "from the seams" and "at first it always creeps up like that." It will climb constantly, and after a couple of seasons the new fur coat will turn into a leather coat.

QUALITY OF SEWING. Rule # 1: the fewer seams, the stronger the product. The days of Greek fur coats, sewn from many pieces, are long gone. Their great popularity in Russia was determined by the relative cheapness and attractive appearance: computer technologies for cutting skins “into small loosening” make it possible to obtain surprisingly light, “flowing” furs. Few people paid attention to the abundance of seams. And in vain - the lifespan of such a coat is only from six months to 2 years! Then few people will undertake to repair it! If possible, when purchasing a fur coat, look under the lining, check if there are any defects in the seams in the sleeves, on the yoke, under the collar. See if the hanger is securely attached and pay particular attention to the markings. One “label” on the back of the lining is not enough! A fur coat, sewn by the hands of masters of reputable and well-known firms, has special "identification marks", they must certainly correspond to each other:

Branded label with the logo (trademark) of the company, its details, a mark of compliance with Quality Standards and on the back side is an adhesive label with basic data on the product and a barcode printed on special equipment (it cannot be erased from the label mechanically or otherwise) ;

Buyer's guide, where you will find useful tips for caring for fur;

Soft marking, sewn into the side seams of a fur coat or into the seam of the lining of a headgear, has a company logo and data that match the data indicated on a special "sticky" label;

Lining material with the company logo on expensive items.

And whose fur is the most? ...

So, you already know what affects the wear of fur, how to check the quality of its manufacture and the quality of tailoring, you can distinguish a fake, imagine the "lower bar" of average market prices, looking at the Prices section, it remains to find out which fur is the most:

	chinchilla
	wolf, bear, wolverine, otter, sheepskin
	mole, hare, rabbit, gopher
	otter, fur seal, river beaver
	reindeer, bear
cold	marmot, mole, gopher, ermine
short-haired	gopher, squirrel
long-haired	wolf, wolverine, bear, badger
water repellent	wolverine

If you like warmth, choose furs with high heat-shielding properties. This is a reindeer, arctic fox, raccoon dog, wolf. Whether you will be warm depends largely on the density of the fur and the thickness of its hair, which in no case should be dull. It is easy to check the density of the down - just blow on the fur. And the longer the hair, the warmer the fur, the higher its quality. Ideally, fox, raccoon, arctic fox, wolverine hair should reach a length of 40 mm, mink - 25, sable, muskrat - from 25 to 40 mm.

If, due to your busyness, you intend to spend a lot of time outside in unstable weather, then, undoubtedly, you should give preference to a fur coat made of fur of "water" animals - beavers, nutria, otters. When a fur coat is needed as a clothing of prestige, a mole, chinchilla or ermine is more suitable. You only run the risk of freezing, because such products are often sewn on a thin lining and are not insulated with batting or padding polyester. The table shows that the furs of aquatic animals are the most resistant to wear.

What kind of fur is the most wearable

Below is a table of wear of various furs according to the Research Institute of the Fur Industry. It should immediately be noted that these data are of Soviet origin, and in some ways they are a little outdated.
The most wearable fur is otter fur, its wear is taken as 100%, all other furs are less wearable and their wear is determined as a percentage of the wear of otter fur.

	% wear
Wolverine
Plucked otter
Brown bear
Kamchatka beaver
River beaver
Fur seal
Seal, seal
Painted seal
Painted raccoon
Astrakhan
Painted skunk
Dyed mink
Painted marten
Mountain marten
Arctic fox white
Dyed fox
Polecat
Ermine
Broadtail
Chinchilla
Chipmunk

	wear, seasons
River beaver
Sea cat
Seal (seal)
Astrakhan
Sandstone gopher
Long-haired rabbit

This is explained by the fact that dyed fur becomes stiffer, dyed hair loses its elasticity and becomes more brittle. Trimming long-haired fur prevents hair from kinking and prevents felting - interweaving of hairs with each other and the formation of lumps of fur.

The wear resistance of fur products largely depends on the finishing of the skins - shearing and dyeing. Dyeing reduces the wear of the fur by 10 - 20%, cutting, on the contrary, increases the wear of the fur by 20 - 40%

Wearability and wear resistance of fur.

The most important characteristics of natural fur are wear and tear resistance. Most wearing fur is an otter, its wear is taken as 100 points, otter products are worn for 20 seasons without repair and restoration. The beaver ranks second in terms of wear, and the fur seal is in third. The wear of sable, mink and arctic fox is 80, 70 and 60 points, respectively, and products made from these types of fur are worn for 12, 9 and 7 seasons (the duration of the season is four months). The lowest wear rates were in the fur of the hare (5 points), the long-haired rabbit (10 points) and the marmot (25 points). Products from these types of fur will serve respectively 0.8, 2 and 3.5 seasons.

The durability of furs and fur depends on the strength of the hair, flesh (skin tissue) and the strength of the bond between the hair and flesh. The strength of the bond between the hair and the skin is of particular importance; it depends on the type of fur, the season of extraction, and adherence to the technology of dressing the skin. The fur of different animals has a different indicator of the strength of the connection of the hair with the flesh, for example, in otter fur, this characteristic is much higher than in rabbit and hare fur. During the shedding period, the strength of the bond between the hair and the flesh is significantly reduced; therefore, fur obtained in late autumn has the best characteristics.

Additional factors that determine the wear resistance of fur are: the thickness of the skin, its density, the thickness of the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue, the nature of the plexus of fibers in the dermis, the degree of development of the hairline and its density, chemical and protein composition, the presence of fur defects. An important factor in the durability of fur is the type of processing. For example, dyeing the fur reduces its wear by 10-20%, while trimming the fur, on the contrary, increases the wear resistance by a third.

Heat-shielding properties of fur.

The heat-shielding properties of fur are due to the amount of air bubbles present inside the hairs, the amount of air between the hairs, and also the looseness of the flesh. Most high heat resistance has the fur of a polar fox, reindeer, raccoon dog, fox, marten, mink, astrakhan fur, but a sheared rabbit, marmot, ermine and goat warms much worse.

Loose flesh significantly reduces the heat-shielding properties of a fur product. Often times, the leather tissue is stretched strongly to reduce the weight of the product. As a result, the heat resistance of the fur decreases, since the distance between the hairs increases, and the layer of air gap between them decreases.

The heat-shielding properties of fur depend on the crumpling of the hairs - they are higher in low-crumple types of fur. It is also important to know that products from the skins of female animals are lighter, more elegant, but the heat-shielding properties of such fur are lower than those of males.

The weight of the fur of different animals

The weight of natural fur depends on the type of animal. The thickness of the flesh is different for each fur, depending on this indicator, the fur is divided into:

Hard or fat-bred: seal, beaver, raccoon dog, sheepskin;

Soft or medium-sized: astrakhan fur, mink, nutria, Siberian weasel, rabbit;

Very soft (thin-baked): Arctic fox, squirrel, broadtail, fox, mole.

Comfortable fur products should combine lightness and comfort, therefore, very light coats made from thick-baked types of fur will not warm their owner due to the fact that the stretched fur will increase the distance between the hairs, and the coat will become cold.

Fur processing and dressing

The technology of natural fur dressing consists of preparatory operations, dressing and finishing. Preparatory operations include sorting fur and fur raw materials and identifying defects. Technological processes for manufacturing fur raw materials can be divided into two large groups. The first group includes operations based on chemical and physicochemical processes: soaking, pickling, tanning, degreasing, fermentation, drying, neutralization, pickling, dyeing. During these operations, the chemical properties of the raw material change significantly.

The second group of technological processes includes operations of mechanical action: fleshing, breaking, shearing, pounding, scratching, ironing, etc.

Fur factories produce unpainted and dyed skins, a significant part of the raw materials are imitated, giving inexpensive types of fur the appearance of valuable furs. In the process of imitation, the fur is sheared, plucked, straightened, and dyed.

New technologies open up endless possibilities for fur, they change the texture and structure of fur, which changes the approach to the design of fur things, their shape and volume. The latest developments allow you to twist and burn fur, combine it with various materials, and inlay it.

Warm tips: how to choose a fur product

.

Fashion for fur products is influenced by five determining factors: type of fur, style, design, combination of furs and new technologies for processing fur.

Basic concepts.

The awn is the thicker part of the hair, the upper layer of the fur. The underfur is the thinner part of the hair, the lower tier of the fur. Mezdra is the bottom layer of fur skin.

Warmest fur: beaver, muton, sable. Coldest: ermine. Best to wear: otter, seal, beaver. The most short-lived: chinchilla, rabbit. Dyed furs wear out 10-20% faster. The wear of sheared fur is 20-40% higher.

When purchasing a product from well-known European brands, you should remember that such parameters as wear, practicality and durability are not decisive for them. In the first place is the name of the designer, brand, unusual design. If the level of well-being does not allow changing the fur coat every season, it is better to choose more practical models.

The most objective factor in product quality is wear resistance of fur from which it is sewn. The service life of products made from natural fur is determined by its wear, therefore, when choosing a fur coat, take an interest and compare the service life of products made from fur of different animals.

Good, high-quality fur should be thick, shiny, and have the same hair height. Hair should not fall off the product when shaken. The strength of the connection between the hair and the flesh can be checked by taking the product by a few hairs and holding it in weight. If the hair is firmly attached to the flesh, the product will not fall off.

Fur dressing and quality tailoring are the main signs of a good product. You can determine whether a coat is a factory-made product by smell. An unpleasant smell should warn against buying. If there is an opportunity to look at the leather fabric - do it by unscrewing the lining of the product. The flesh should be soft and elastic to the touch, not rustle at hand like paper, and not have visible defects. Good fur, when crumpled, immediately takes on its original shape. You can stroke the fur against the grain - long hairs should not break, and the undercoat should be thick and soft. The skin of an unpainted product should be light.

A high-quality fur coat should be sewn from solid plates measuring 15 by 15 cm. If the pieces of fur are smaller, then the price of the product should be about a third lower. A product made from small pieces will not be durable; over time, the pieces will begin to creep.

What furs are most often counterfeited, how to distinguish a fake

Sometimes expensive types of fur are replaced with cheaper ones, skillfully giving them the desired appearance, for example - marten is passed off as sable fur.

Nutria is faked under the fur of a river beaver. However, in the beaver, the guard hairs are longer and the downs are thicker than in the nutria.

They often try to pass off rabbit or marmot fur as a mink. You can distinguish a mink from a rabbit by its rigidity - the awn of a rabbit's fur is much softer. Marmot fur consists of hair of unequal length, and mink has perfectly even hair and does not prick at all.

Conclusion

Love for natural fur lives in our genes - from those ancient times, when our ancestors first realized its warmth, softness and comfort. One can talk endlessly about natural fur - soft “gold” has such magic. Wear fur products with pleasure, they will give you warmth, comfort, style, emphasize your status and taste.

The ball system is not very clear and cannot say how long a product made of one or another fur will last. The average service life of various furs lies within fairly narrow limits, for example, fur hats last on average from 3 to 6 years, outerwear (coats, fur coats) - from 5 to 8 years or more. However, the service life of products made from different furs can vary significantly, which is clearly illustrated in the following table. The data in the table are valid provided that the season lasts 4 months.

Making such a valuable and important purchase as a fur coat, every woman wants this product to last reliably as long as possible. Therefore, before making such a responsible choice, it is important to know that each type of fur has its own individual service life.

Wear resistance table for different types of fur

Fur name	Fur wear resistance in points
Non-plucked otter	100
Wolverine	100
Plucked otter	95
Bear brown and black	95
Kamchatka beaver (sea otter)	95
River beaver plucked	85
Natural seal	80
Natural sable	80
Painted seal	75
Natural raccoon	75
Leopard	75
Painted marine seal	70
Natural skunk	70
Natural mink	70
Natural soft marten	65
Sable tinted	65
Painted raccoon	60
Astrakhan	60
Arctic fox blue	60
Natural wolf	60
Smushka	60
Painted skunk	55
Dyed mink	55
Sheepskin	55
Soft painted marten	50
Natural mountain marten	45
Muskrat	45
Opoyek	45
Korsak	45
Arctic fox white	45
Painted mountain marten	45
Natural fox	40
Dyed wolf	40
Nutria, unsweetened	40
Opossum	40
Dyed fox	35
Painted muskrat	35
Foal	35
Polecat	35
Natural lynx	30
Jackal	27
Natural protein	27
Fox painted black	25
Ermine	25
Column	25
Nutria plucked	25
Painted opossum	20
Wiesel	20
Lynx painted	20
Colored squirrel	20
Sandstone gopher	20
Marmot	20
Goat	15
Broadtail	15
Chinchilla	15
Rabbit	12
Common ground squirrel	10
Hare	5

There is a comparative wear resistance of types of fur in points, where the wear resistance of otter fur is taken as 100 points, corresponding to approximately 20 winter seasons of operation, provided that it is stored correctly.

For different purposes - different fur coats

A beautiful, fluffy, soft and warm fur coat is rightfully one of the most beloved and desired winter outfits for any woman. When choosing this product, you need to pay attention to many different parameters, among which the most important are:

• fur color;
• structure;
• life time.

The purposes of acquiring a fur coat may be different. Some people need long and warm mink products for reliable protection from the harsh winter frosts. Others are looking for a short, functional sheepskin coat, in which one could always feel comfortable behind the wheel. And still others want to buy a fur coat for a luxurious evening dress for a certain special occasion. In the latter case, the service life does not play a decisive role, but in the first and second it is extremely important.

Which of the furs is the most reliable and durable?

Going to the store for a new fur coat, you definitely need to know that each of the types of popular furs is characterized by different degrees of wear resistance, which affect their service life. To greatly facilitate the selection process, a special table was created, which indicates the average service life of fur coats made according to GOST from various furs. It should be noted that the period of wearing these products is measured not in years, but in seasons, each of which in our climatic conditions consists of approximately four months.

• otter;
• beaver;
• sable;
• mink;
• astrakhan;
• sheepskin and muton;
• arctic fox;
• marten;
• Lynx.

The undisputed leader in wear resistance is otter fur. Products made from it can last from 20 to 22 seasons. Beaver fur coats confidently follow them, the service life of which ranges from 18 to 20 seasons. The third position rightfully belongs to fur products made from sable. The average wear period is 16-17 seasons. In fourth place are the favorite mink coats. The approximate lifespan of a mink coat is twelve to fifteen seasons. A slightly shorter wearing period is typical for fur coats made of astrakhan fur - approximately 12-14 seasons.

The approximate service life of warm furs made from muton and sheepskin is about eleven seasons. A slightly lower degree of wear resistance is inherent in fur coats made from arctic fox. They reliably serve their owners for 9-10 seasons. Beautiful lynx and nutria coats can last for five to six seasons.

Which furs have a shorter service life

No less important and useful will be information on the types of natural furs, which are characterized by a shorter period of service - that is, up to approximately five seasons. Their rating is as follows:

• Fox;
• nutria;
• marmot;
• squirrel;
• chinchilla;
• rabbit.

So, a fox fur product is designed for approximately five seasons of wear. Exactly the same durability of nutria fur coats. They are followed by squirrel and marmot furs - winter clothes made from them can be worn for four seasons. Three to four seasons is the declared service life for squirrel and marmot fur coats made in accordance with GOST. Chinchilla products are able to reliably serve for approximately the same period of time. The shortest service life is typical for rabbit fur coats - as a rule, it is only two seasons.

Wear term table

Fur	Of seasons (1 season = 4 months of wear)
Otter	20
Beaver	18
Sea cat	17
Mink	10
Arctic fox	7
Marten	7
Seal	6
Astrakhan	6
Sheepskin	6
Fox	5
Muskrat	5
Nutria	5
Squirrel	4
Marmot	4
Rabbit	2
Hare	1

What should you look for when buying a fur coat?

Regardless of what kind of fur the fur coat is made of - from mink, nutria, fox, lynx, muton, rabbit or beaver - several important points must be taken into account:

• evenness of fur along its entire height;
• uniformity of color;
• the density and strength of the fur;
• quality of seams;
• the presence of a beautiful shine;
• the quality of the flesh - the back of the fur skin.

In order to purchase a really high-quality product, it is necessary, in addition to a photo of a fur coat, to carefully consider every slightest detail of it. According to the law, there is a certain warranty period during which the seller is obliged to exchange a defective product. If, during the inspection of the selected fur coat, the buyer found any serious defects, he has the right:

• to exchange a product for a similar one from the same or another manufacturer;
• cost reduction;
• reimbursement of expenses for elimination of deficiencies;
• immediate gratuitous elimination of defects.

According to consumer protection law, the seller is obliged to comply with the buyer's requirements.

Of course, in this article only an approximate period of wearing a mink coat is presented, as well as products from other types of furs. With proper care - proper storage and reliable protection - this period can be increased. However, short-lived furs have their undeniable advantages. Due to the affordable cost, you can often replenish your wardrobe with fashionable and interesting models!

At all times, fur was considered a sign of luxury and wealth. Today, when, in addition to a fur coat, you can warm yourself with other warm things, furs have definitely become a status item. Many women and their wealthy companions are ready to shell out thousands of dollars for chic products, and the richest and most famous people also have wonderful collections. Therefore, despite the popularity of animal welfare movements and the popularization of faux fur, natural fur coats will never go out of fashion and will not cease to be desirable objects of luxury and comfort.

How is it determined which fur is the most expensive for a fur coat?

Any type of fur has its own specific value, and each of them can cost differently. Much depends on the habitat of the animal, the color and dressing of the skin. At special auctions, fur factories are bargaining for them in order to then sew the most expensive and beautiful products from the purchased fur. Depending on the attractiveness of the skins, the price of a fur coat can vary in the range of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

However, there are certain rules by which it is estimated which are the most expensive furs for a fur coat. The rating of materials is based on the following factors:

• the rarity of the animal;
• fur color;
• method of processing the skin;
• the prestige of the fur brand;
• fashion.

For example, some animals were once so popular that poaching reduced or even practically destroyed its population. Therefore, no one knows which fur coat may become the most expensive tomorrow, from which fur. The price of finished outerwear may also depend on the size of the animal. For example, chinchilla skins are very small. Therefore, one fur coat will require more than one animal, which means that the price of the finished product will be high. As for color, it plays an important role in some furs. This is, for example, a mink. White and black are much more valuable than brown.

And, of course, in what the most expensive fur coat will be, from what fur and why, fashion is not the last thing. If tomorrow fox products become the most in demand from the point of view of designers, it will not be surprising that outerwear made from fox will become more expensive than they were before.

Sable

Fur gold, the king of furs and many other epithets have sable fur. Russia is the only supplier in the world. Here from time immemorial it was the most expensive fur for a fur coat. Several groups of sables live on the territory of our country, which are used for industry. All of them differ in color, density, splendor and length.

In addition, sable sheds and changes the structure and color of the fur. Therefore, skins from animals are collected twice a year in different seasons. Thus, getting a different color and quality of fur. In winter, the skins of the first grade are removed, when the fur is especially shiny and soft. At this time of the year, the animal has a lot of downy hair. Therefore, its fur is fluffier. In late winter, the hair grows dull and the skins obtained during this period are duller. This affects the appearance of the finished products. At the beginning of winter, after the sable has thrown off most of its fur in the summer, the skin is only second grade.

Barguzinsky sable

It is worth mentioning separately about this kind of sable, like the Barguzin sable. After all, this is perhaps the most expensive fur for a fur coat. The price of his skin can exceed $ 1,000. And considering that about 90 of them are needed for a fur coat, it becomes clear that such a coat will be worth its weight in gold. This species of sable lives only in Russia, namely in the eastern part of Lake Baikal.

Particular value to the most expensive fur for a fur coat in the world is given by its shade - dark brown, almost black, with many silvery hairs that give shine and depth to the finished fur coat. In addition to color, the Barguzin sable has increased wear resistance and high thermal properties.

Chinchilla

This animal lives in South America, and its skins are prized for their incredible beauty. Its fur has different shades - it is dark gray on the back, smoky blue on the sides, and snow-white on the belly. This effect is also preserved in the finished product, where the smooth transition of shades looks very beautiful.

Also, this fur is different in that it is very thick, due to the fact that up to 70-80 hairs can grow from one hair follicle in this animal. Their length is about 3 centimeters. Therefore, the chinchilla's fur looks more like fluff. This is what provides him with special warmth and softness. Sv is this chinchilla fur coats are so appreciated.

The only disadvantage of such skins is that the fur is not too hardy and quickly loses its original appearance. Therefore, such a fur coat is bought exclusively for rare festive occasions. In addition, skins are used in combination with other fur. But, despite this drawback, this is one of the most expensive furs for a fur coat - it can cost from 10 to 100 thousand dollars.

Lynx

This feline is distinguished by its beautiful coloration - who does not recognize the dark spots on the red background of the back or on the white fur in the abdomen. What are outerwear made of? For the production of fur products, it is the light fur from the belly of the animal that is taken, as it is fluffier and softer. On the back, it is hard, so it is not used in the manufacture of fur coats.

In Russia, the lynx is listed in the Red Book and is strictly protected. Therefore, only Canadian types are used for sewing fur coats. The cost of one skin can start from $ 300. Therefore, very often they are used not for sewing a whole fur coat, but for a collar or cuffs.

Ermine

This small animal lives only in Siberia, Canada and Lapland. During the season, his skin changes color, but it is valuable only in winter, when the animal's fur is completely white.

It has long been one of the most expensive furs for a fur coat and not only - with ermine they decorated robes and ceremonial clothes of kings, kings and other monarchs, sewed collars, lined cloaks with fur and sewed capes from it. And today this snow-white material is a privilege that is available to few. In addition, ermine fur is very capricious and almost as short-lived as a chinchilla. Therefore, a fur coat made from it is an extremely ceremonial version of outerwear. The price for a product can be 2-5 thousand dollars.

Vicuna

This animal is one of the species of llama and lives only in the highlands of the Andes in Peru. Due to the place of residence, where there are always strong winds, the fur of this animal is very dense and warm, but at the same time delicate and soft. It is because of these qualities that man is so fond of him. All this led to the fact that the vicuña practically disappeared from the face of the earth. Therefore, in the 60s of the XX century, only the shearing of the animal was legalized, but not its capture.

Today it is the most expensive fur for a fur coat in the world, even taking into account the fact that vicuña fur is not obtained in the classical way, removing the skin from an animal, but shearing it and making woolen fabric with a price of 3 thousand dollars per meter. However, given the number of individuals remaining in the population, the fabric obtained in a year is only enough for sewing 150 suits, and only a few of the most famous fashion houses are engaged in this. As for natural vicuna fur, and even more so a fur coat made of it, it is almost impossible to find such a surviving rarity in nature today.

Marten

The fur of this animal is very similar to that of a sable. However, it is less lush and much cheaper. Therefore, in Europe, where the sable is not found, and the marten, on the contrary, has habitats, it successfully replaces its more elegant brother.

The color of the marten fur can be varied: from brown to gray-blue. But winter skins with the thickest undercoat and long hair have a special charm. This fur is very durable and warm, and also, thanks to such two-layer wool, the animal's fur is well ventilated and does not retain dust. Therefore, it is considered hypoallergenic.

The price for a marten fur coat will range from 100 to 250 thousand rubles. It is quite expensive, although the marten does not have the most expensive fur for fur coats. In Russia, by the way, this animal is valued much less than in other countries. The thing is that in our country the marten is found and is often found. And there are plenty of other fur-bearing animals. But abroad the habitat of the marten is very limited, therefore, the value of its fur is higher.

Arctic fox

Another primordially Russian fur, which was also worth its weight in gold. And today it remains highly demanded and popular, thanks to its splendor and incredibly beautiful shade. Arctic fox in nature comes in two colors - pure white and blue. The latter is especially loved by fashionistas and fur designers, as it has a deep shade. The blue color of such a fox is not widespread throughout the coat, but only at the ends of the trails, while at the roots it is snow-white. And this transition creates a beautiful haze or veil effect.

Despite the fact that the arctic fox is a relative of the fox, its fur is more expensive, warmer and more durable. This is because the animal is used to living in the tundra, where it needs especially warm "clothes". In addition, the durability of a fox fur coat will be much greater than that of a fox and can be worn for up to 12 seasons, and the blue fox is worn longer than the white one. How much does such a product cost? The price for a fox fur coat depends on which animal the skin is taken from - fur coats from a wild fox are 2 times cheaper than from an animal grown in a cage. This is due to the fact that the animal that lives in nature has a slightly coarser coat, since it is forced to adapt to the world around it. Also, great damage to the skin is often caused by its capture - the hunter can tear or spoil the skin with weapons or traps.

The average cost of a fox fur coat is from 2 to 6 thousand dollars.

Beaver

Maybe this will seem surprising to those who are not particularly familiar with the prices of fur, but beaver skins are in great demand in the manufacture of fur coats. Products made from them are very expensive. Despite the fact that beaver fur is one of the most common today, a fur coat can cost about 1.5 thousand dollars. Such a high price for a product is due to the fact that fur is very difficult to work with and to sew. In addition, you need to carefully select the skins for quality and shades. Therefore, it can take a whole year to sew one piece.

Beaver fur is the most durable of all, and it also perfectly tolerates moisture thanks to its dense, short undercoat. This makes the fur coat made of it very durable. Beaver fur is also very beautiful and has many natural shades of brown, from light to almost black. Many modern methods of dressing and processing are used for beaver skins: shearing, plucking, and the like.

Mink

Mink today is perhaps the most popular in the manufacture of fur coats. It's all about its relative cheapness and prevalence. In addition, it is a plastic material that is shiny, thick and wearable.

But if we talk about the most expensive natural mink fur coat, then this is certainly the American Blackglama or black diamond. What is special about it? This is a very beautiful type of fur, almost black, shiny and iridescent. Only 2% of all mink fur mined in the world goes to the Blackglama factory, where they sew chic and expensive fur coats from them at a price of 250 thousand rubles.

In addition to the North American one, the animal living in Russia is very much appreciated in the world. Domestic fur has a high undercoat and a long pile, and is also distinguished by an increased shine and ability to keep warm. However, many people do not like the fact that, due to the length of the pile, the Russian mink is a little shaggy. Not everyone likes this. Those who love short plush mink should pay attention to Scandinavian furs, especially Danish ones. They have a very short coat and undercoat, which makes the fur coats of the animal cozy and stylish.

The Russian climate dictates its own conditions - many people prefer to wear winter clothes made from natural fur.

A fur coat has long ceased to be a luxury item: for example, almost any fashionista can afford a warm product made of muton. But what about the more expensive furs that remain out of the reach of the mass buyer?

Ermine

Price: up to $ 5 thousand

From time immemorial, ermine fur has been considered a royal accessory, adorning the robes of state leaders and their family members. The reason for this is the amazing softness of the pile and the snow-white color of the animal's fur coat. By winter, the ermine changes color from brown to snow-white, but only in cold regions: Siberia, Canada, Finland. Given the limited habitat and small size of the animal, it is not surprising that the price of an ermine fur coat ranges from two to five thousand dollars.

Arctic fox fur

Price: up to $ 6 thousand

Since the days of Ancient Russia, the elite of society have wrapped themselves in polar fox furs. Much has changed since then, but the skins of polar chanterelles are still one of the most valuable fur trades in the world. Due to the long pile, a fox fur coat always looks luxuriously fluffy, but the price matches its appearance: such a fur product can cost from 2 to 6 thousand dollars.

Mink fur

Price: up to $ 15 thousand

This is a material that has established itself as an ideal price-performance ratio for a finished fur product. It is generally accepted that mink fur is less susceptible to wear and tear. There are a huge number of variations in color, density and length of mink pile, which depend on the subspecies of the animal. For an elite mink coat, you can pay up to 15 thousand dollars.

Chinchilla fur

Price: up to $ 100 thousand

The homeland of this fluffy guy is South America. The Incas elevated the chinchilla to the rank of a noble attribute, and only a select few were honored to please the skin with the touch of its fur. After the reconquest in the Old World, they also appreciated the merits of the chinchilla, which greatly reduced the population of animals.

Chinchilla products rank third in the list of the most expensive furs. The reason for this is the phenomenal density of the pile of this rodent - about 60-80 hairs can grow from one hair follicle of a chinchilla at the same time! Hair height reaches three centimeters, while the thickness of each villi does not exceed a hundredth of a millimeter. It is difficult to call an incredibly soft and silky material “wool” - in terms of tactile qualities it is more like down and is one of the warmest furs.

In addition to the quality of the chinchilla fur, it is worth mentioning its amazing beauty. Each hair can be dyed in several shades, so the skin acquires a spectacular gradient ranging from jet black to pearlescent.

Barguzin sable fur

Price: up to $ 120 thousand

There are several types of sables and, of course, each species is valued in its own way. However, for centuries, the Barguzin sable has held the leading position in the cost of fur among predatory animals. The fact is that its skin has a unique dark, rich coffee color that distinguishes the animal from other sables.

Russia is the only importer of the Barguzin sable. Traditional fishing has brought income to the state treasury since time immemorial. Know very much appreciated the surprisingly soft and dark material with light gray streaks and blue fluff. At some point, the price for a sable skin reached such heights that after selling just one fur coat, the furrier could acquire a new estate.

Today sable fur is still one of the most expensive materials. Women of fashion who want to purchase a short sable fur coat just below the knee will have to pay at least 60 thousand dollars for it - and this is far from the limit. At a recent international fur auction in St. Petersburg, a Greek company offered a record $ 1,300 for each barguzin skin. Considering that an average fur coat requires up to 90 killed animals, the cost of the finished product may shock an inexperienced buyer.

The most expensive fur in the world is vicuna fur

Price: up to $ 3 thousand per m2

Vicuña is by no means a relative of sable or marten. This type of llama lives only in one place on our planet - in the highlands of the Andes. Vicunas are bred in Peru, where they are revered as the most valuable and useful animal. Unpretentious vicuñas are able to survive in the cold and winds of the highlands, in conditions of severe deficiency of water, food and oxygen. Artiodactyls have adapted well to the harsh environment thanks in large part to their surprisingly warm coat.

It was wool that almost caused the complete extinction of these animals. Their fur is not only incredibly warm - it is very thin and soft. As a rule, vicuna fur is used for dressing fabric, and not for cutting fur coats. One square meter of vicuna wool fabric costs about 3 thousand dollars.

We also invite you to get acquainted with the list of the most expensive things in the world.
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