What to look for in Leather Bracelet
Leather bracelets –Quality, Type and Fashion trendsLeather bracelets a modern day fashion trend, smart, chic, hip and playful. From their origins in the 1980’s, silver-studded leather bracelets worn by the punk rock musical groups to the diversity of today. There is a style and design for men and women of all tastes and every occasion.
One of the most important features when making your selection is the quality of the leather. The grain of the leather, the smooth side should be soft not mushy, definitely not stiff. A quality piece will be supple if it is bent with the grain side up any indication of a crack means an inferior product.Full grain or top grain leather, genuine leather is clear, supple and clean noted as the best quality, it is the top section of the animal hide containing the epidermis. These hides have not been sanded, buffed or corrected, they remain with any imperfections intact. The grains are natural giving the leather, breathability, strength and greater durability. Full grain leather stands up well to wear and will reveal a natural patina over time. Only the best rawhide is used in the manufacture of this leather which has two finishes, aniline or semi-aniline. Leather is rotated in drums for 12 hours containing the clear, transparent aniline dye to produce an impressive finish. This enhances the natural blemishes in the leather grain. The semi-aniline dye is dyed in the absorbent aniline dye, then is applied as a topcoat which is resistant to soil and fading.
Corrected or embossed leather needs to be sanded or buffed to correct the excessive amount of scratches and scars. An embossed grain and finish are added for a flawless look. The durability is reduced and the quality is inferior. These leathers are finished with semi-aniline dye or pigmented. A perfect example, alligator skin.
Split leather is suede which is made by the splitting of the grains or from a shaved split. Suede is famous for its fuzzy surface, its last is poorer than top grain and it’s a cheaper product.
Patent leather is stiffer with a glossy finish, a method developed by Mario Baker in Newark, N.J. in 1818 by coating the leather in a linseed oil lacquer. Today the coating has been altered with the plastics, acrylic and polyurethane.
The most common types of hides used for leather are cow, sheep, buffalo and oxen. The best leather such as rawhide requires no treatment during the tanning process, a surface coating, however, most hides are vegetable tanned, a substance from plants and tree bark. This is done to stabilize the material.
Another way to identify the quality of the leather is to learn its country of origin. European leather is considered the finest, particularly the Italian leathers, Verona and Nappa calf. Nappa is chrome-tanned and very malleable with a silky sheen. Middle Eastern leather is of excellent quality. North American hides are regarded as good and affordable.
When buying leather smell is, also, an indicator of its value. Poor leather has a chemical smell in some cases it can even smell decayed.
Now for your choice, leather cuff bracelets are the most popular trend today. A wide leather band has a more masculine look whereas a narrow band holds a broader appeal. Buckles and eyelets add a touch of devil may care and distinction to the gentlemen’s wardrobe. Texture on the band such as weaving, contrasting stitching colors or engraved names are hot. A black weave cuff, wow. Cuff bracelets made from baseballs which can be autographed are a novel idea. Gemstones are a feminine touch for the cuff.
Genuine Italian braided or round leather cords are all the rage. Woven, leather bracelets with 3 to 5 narrow, braided straps and a sterling silver clasp in diverse shapes and sizes are striking. Black leather and 18K gold diamond bracelets, rich and elegant. A braided leather and pearl bracelet, a gorgeous addition to any jewelry collection. A glam gold chain and interwoven leather bracelet with a removable leather flower, stunning.
Hollywood celebrity Nicole Richie is a fan of the leather bracelet, she’s been seen sporting more than one when in the spotlight. The metallic, braided, layered strand is a fave of hers. She, also, shares her passion for her 18K gold plated, woven, leather bracelet with Paris Hilton. Nicole and Lindsay Lohan have been spotted wearing a blue, handmade wrap around leather braid with Alice in Wonderland charms. Not to be outdone Julia Roberts teamed up with Giorgio Armani in 2007 to design a red leather cuff bracelet for women, a brown one for the gent’s with a tree for life insignia and the words “Revolution-Evolution-Devotion”. The proceeds for the sales went to RED, an organization started by Bono and Bobby Shriver for AID’s research and medical supplies for the less fortunate in Africa.
The leather bracelet, a wonderful addition to any wardrobe.
