Fur Terminology

by
Love5
When you’re shopping for a new fur garment or doing your research online, you may run into some terminology that you’re not familiar with. Here is a list of terms we’ve compiled that may help when it comes to researching and purchasing the perfect fur:
Terms Meaning
Brightening
  • The process of enhancing a furs luster and brightness.
  • Frequently used to make white toned fur a pure, true white.
Cased pelt
  • Also known as a closed pelt.
  • It’s a completely intact pelt in a cylindrical shape.
  • The fur is on the outside with the leather on the inside.
Crystalling
  • A process that is applied to silver or blue frost fox.
  • The crystalling process adds red and blonde tones to the underfur, while retaining much of the silver and black tipping of the guard hairs.
  • Creates very unique color pattern.
Dyeing
  • Furs come in a wide range of natural colors, but can also be dyed in many vibrant and beautiful hues that could not be achieved naturally.
  • Dyeing can be used to improve any imperfections within the natural tones and can help improve uniformity.
  • Sometimes pelts are bleached white before they dyed.
  • With dye, there are endless possibilities when it comes to fur color.
Faux fur
  • Faux fur is an imitation of natural fur.
  • It’s made of petroleum based synthetic fibers; this production is very harmful to the environment.
  • Faux fur is not biodegradable.
  • Does not possess the many benefits of real fur: warmth, soft feel, breathability, and beauty.
Full pelt
  • A full pelt refers to a full animal pelt that has not been cut into smaller pieces.
  • Highest grade fur fashion and decor are constructed from full pelt.
  • Full pelt products tend to be more expensive.
  • Full pelt products have a smooth uninterrupted texture.
Guard hairs
  • Guard hairs are long, shiny hairs.
  • They provide warmth as well as protect the skin and underfur.
Knitted fur
  • Knitted fur is a specific design method used to construct fur garments.
  • It’s created by using narrow strips of fur combined with silk or cotton yarn.
  • Produces a garment with fur on both sides - inside and out.
  • Knitted fur garments are light and breathable.
Leathering
  • Strips of fur are alternated with leather, ribbon or cloth for a unique effect.
  • This technique makes for a more lightweight product.
Letting out
  • Cutting the pelt into diagonal strips and then re-sewing it allows for one to make the pelt longer and narrower.
  • The outcome is a supple and smooth flowing pelt.
  • Also referred to as “dropping out”.
Mutation
  • Using selective breeding to create natural furs with unique color.
  • Due to this process mink is available in an amazing array of natural colors.
Pieced fur
  • Pieced fur is created through combining smaller pieces to make one solid whole.
  • An interesting pattern is created by this construction.
  • This makes for a less expensive piece.
Plucked
  • Guard hair is selectively plucked to bring forward the velvety underhair of the fur.
  • Much of the time the plucking process is accompanied by the shearing process to fully expose the ultra soft underfur.
Sculptured
  • This technique is comprised of many small detailed pieces of sheared mink to give a garment the beautiful and ever popular sculptured look.
Sheared
  • This technique is used to trim fur to a short pile, sometimes as low as 5 mm.
  • The process exposes a naturally ultra soft under fur.
  • Reduces bulkiness and weight.
  • Usually paired with the plucking process to remove guard hairs before shearing.
  • Can be used to create intricate sculpted patterns in the fur.
Tip-dyeing
  • Dye is applied to the tip of the guard hairs.
  • Process creates a two tone design.
  • Sometimes referred to as frosting.
Uncased pelt
  • Also known as an open pelt.
  • The pelt is laid flat with fur on one side and leather on the other.
Underfur
  • The underfur has short, soft hairs that are closer to the skin.
  • The layer of fur that acts as insulation and provides warmth.
  • Covered and protected by long, durable guard hairs.
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