Leather Guide: What is Genuine Leather？

What "Genuine Leather" Really Means

Most people think of genuine leather as the highest quality leather because it's often used to make expensive products like shoes, clothing, and handbags, but it's actually a lower quality leather. The term "genuine leather" doesn't refer to the quality of the leather itself, but rather the grade of leather.

They're usually made from leather scraps or splits that are then coated with a polyurethane coating and artificially marked. If a product is marked as genuine leather, it means it contains a certain amount of real leather, which could be 100% leather or 1% leather.

Is genuine leather real leather?

The term "genuine leather" can be misleading, so to avoid any misunderstanding, we want to clarify that genuine leather is indeed real leather, although it is not as high quality as full-grain leather or top-grain leather, but it still comes from real animal skins.

The process of making genuine leather can be tricky. Most of the time, genuine leather comes from split leather, for example, the leather between top-grain leather and suede. However, any layer of leather or even leather fragments can become genuine leather. This is what makes this type of leather unique.

These different layers and leather fragments have been trimmed and treated, usually because of imperfections in the outer layer of the leather. Therefore, genuine leather is sometimes called trimmed leather.

It is usually subjected to a sanding or polishing process to remove any impurities, and then the leather is dyed or sprayed to finish its appearance, which will make the leather more uniform in appearance. However, this process changes many of the good qualities of the leather. Therefore, it is not as good as full-grain and top-grain leather.

How to Tell the Difference Between Genuine Leather and Faux Leather?
Telling the difference between genuine leather and faux leather can be difficult, but there are a few key characteristics that can help you tell the difference between the two. Here are some tips:
Smell: Genuine leather has a natural, earthy smell, while faux leather often smells of chemicals.
Touch: Genuine leather feels soft and flexible, while faux leather feels stiff and like plastic.
Appearance: Genuine leather has natural variations in grain and color, while faux leather is usually uniform in appearance.
Durability: Genuine leather is more durable and gets better over time, while faux leather tends to crack and peel.
Burning Test: You can perform a burning test by lighting a small corner of the leather product and observing the burn marks. Genuine leather will have a distinctive smell, will turn to ash, and leave a small amount of residue. faux leather will melt and release smoke.

Advantages of Genuine Leather
Although it is a low-grade leather, genuine leather has several advantages that make it popular for a variety of purposes:
1. Cheap
One of the main advantages of genuine leather is that it is cheap. Compared to premium leathers such as full-grain leather and top-grain leather, genuine leather is generally cheaper and therefore more accessible to a wider range of consumers. This affordable genuine leather product is an attractive option for those who want the look and feel of leather without spending too much money.

2. Durability
Genuine leather may not have the same durability as full-grain leather and top-grain leather, but the quality of genuine leather is still quite strong and durable. With proper care and maintenance, genuine leather products can maintain their appearance for a long time. This makes genuine leather suitable for making everyday items such as belts, wallets, and casual shoes.

Disadvantages of Genuine Leather
1. Lower Quality
Compared to premium leathers such as full-grain leather and top-grain leather, genuine leather is of lower quality. This is because it comes from split leather or leather fragments that are processed layer by layer to achieve a uniform appearance. Therefore, genuine leather may lack the natural beauty, durability, and longevity of premium leather (full-grain leather, top-grain leather, etc.).

2. Easy to wear and tear
While genuine leather is quite durable, it may not be as resistant to wear and tear as premium leather (full-grain leather, top-grain leather, etc.). Over time, genuine leather products may show signs of aging, such as wrinkling, cracking, and fading, especially when they are used frequently without paying attention to care and maintenance, and are exposed to harsh conditions when stored.

The Difference Between Real Leather and Genuine Leather
When trying to understand the difference between pure leather and genuine leather, there are a few important things to know. First, pure leather is made from one animal skin, while genuine leather is a composite material made from multiple animal skins.
Another key difference has to do with the manufacturing process. Pure leather is made through tanning and pressing, which can preserve the natural fibers of the leather and make it more durable. On the other hand, genuine leather is made by bonding multiple layers of animal skins using adhesives or chemicals.
Finally, one way to tell the two types of leather apart is to look at their surface texture. Real leather has a smooth surface with some natural grain patterns visible, whereas genuine leather has a more uniform appearance with fewer natural variations.