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    <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/?sAtom=1" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" />
    <author>
        <name>Dalgado</name>
    </author>
    <title>Blog/Atom feed</title>
    <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/?sRss=1</id>
    <updated>2026-04-28T18:30:06+02:00</updated>
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">THE WORLD&#039;S MOST ORGANIC LEATHER WATCH STRAPS</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/the-world-s-most-organic-leather-watch-straps</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/the-world-s-most-organic-leather-watch-straps"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            We use premium organic leather watch straps for our limited timepieces. All our straps are handmade in Germany and are certified organic. Here you can read more about the production process of our organic watch straps. 
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                 &amp;nbsp; 
  THE WORLD&#039;S MOST ORGANIC LEATHER WATCH STRAPS  
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 Roughly 95% of all leathers worldwide are chromium-tanned. The remaining 5% are vegetable-tanned. This traditional tanning method is not just more environmentally-friendly but also takes much more time to create which is why it is often very expensive. Of these 5% only very few deserve the label “organic leathers”. In order to attain this coveted quality seal, the leathers not only have to be vegetable-tanned but every single component of the production chain has to be ecological, sustainable and certified organic. Only a tiny fraction of all leathers fulfil these extremely strict requirements. We are very proud that the leather straps of our limited watch collection were awarded the bio-seal allowing us to contribute to a sustainable economy. 
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   Our handmade leather watch straps  
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  What exactly does bio certified mean?   The entire production process of our bio watch straps is “Biokreis” certified. Biokreis supports producers and processors with the production and marketing of their bio products. It was established in 1979 and favours regional structures and rural agriculture. The requirements of the Biokreis-Guidelines are way beyond the EU organic regulations and only leathers which fulfil all steps of the strict organically certified production chain will receive the desired Biokreis seal. The compliance with the criteria is fully and regularly controlled by the testing institute LACON. If not rectified, violations of the guidelines will lead to a revocation of the seal. 
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   Our watches with our premium leather watch straps  
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  The organically certified production chain  
  1. Certified Organic Farms  In order to receive an organic certification, the farms need to guarantee an animal welfare approved husbandry and a sustainable supply chain. Besides, only non-GM feed may be used. 
  2. Certified Organic Abattoirs  Bio animals need to be slaughtered separately from other animals and the suffering of the animals have to be kept at an absolute minimum. That is why short transportation routes are vital in order to reduce the stress of the animals. Compliance with these guidelines are regularly reviewed. It has to be expressly stated that all of the hides which eventually turn into the leathers for our watch bands are side products of the meat industry which would have to be disposed of if not used. 
  3. Certified Organic Tanneries  As mentioned above, tanneries are obliged to use the vegetable-tanning method. Additionally, the surfaces of the leathers have to remain as natural as possible and also be chromium-free and allergy-friendly. The natural and vegetable tanning method gives our watch bands not only a beautiful feel and excellent wearing comfort but makes them also especially eco-friendly, health-friendly and long-lived. It is for that reason that our watch bands are not just awarded with the Biokreis seal but also the ECARF seal for particularly allergy-friendly products. 
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   Our leather watch straps are Bio-Kreis and ECARF certified  
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  4. Certified Organic Watch Strap Manufactory  Finally, our straps are handmade and hand-stitched in our watch strap manufactory and the organically certified production chain comes full circle. The proud result is premium watch straps which are 100% organic and of inimitable quality. 
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   All of our watch straps are handmade in Germany  
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  Here  you can take a look at our watch collection with our organic watch straps. 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2019-10-22T12:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">WHAT DOES &quot;REAL LEATHER&quot; MEAN?</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/what-does-real-leather-mean</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/what-does-real-leather-mean"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Most likely you have come across the label &quot;Real Leather&quot; before when shopping for leather products. Many people are not entirely sure what that term actually means. Learn all about &quot;Real Leather&quot; in this article. 
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            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 &amp;nbsp; 
  WHAT DOES &quot;REAL LEATHER&quot; MEAN?  
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 Even though we already took a close look at the topic in our “Genuine Leather”   article  , there still seem to be some remaining questions regarding the term “Real Leather”. First things first: Real leather is exactly the same as Genuine Leather and simply means that something is made out of actual leather as opposed to artificial leather. Both “Real Leather” and “Genuine Leather” can be found but the latter is much more common; Sometimes the Italian synonyms “Vera Pelle” or “Vero Cuoio” are used instead. It is important to be aware of all such terms and their meaning in order to make good purchase decisions. In the following, we listed and answered the most common questions we have received regarding real and genuine leather: 
   
  1) Is real leather good leather?  Not necessarily. It is just like with cars: There are vast differences in regards to quality and price amongst cars yet they are all cars. It is the same with leathers. Real leathers are generally categorized in three leather grades: Full-grain, top-grain, and split grain leather. Full-grain leather offers the highest quality and costs the most whereas split grade leather offers the least quality and costs the least. Click   here   to find out more about leather grades. Also note, that the term “Real Leather” does not reveal any information about the animal housing or food quality and the tanning process of the leather. 
 For our classic belts we exclusively use premium full-grain as well as vegetable-tanned leathers, which we obtain from the most sought-after tanneries in Europe. More information about our leathers and tanneries can be found   here  . 
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   Our handmade full-grain leather belts Carolina (left) and   Rémy   (right)  
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  2) Does Real Leather come from a certain animal?   No. “Real Leather” only means that the leather comes from an animal and was not artificially produced. Whether the leather comes from cows, sheep or lamp etc. does not make a difference. 
  3) How do you know if a product is made of real leather?    The labelling of genuine leather in the form of an animal hide symbol including some additional designation has become the standard. It is often stamped on the lining leather of belts, the inside of bags or is shown on attached informative product labels. If no label should exist, it is worth doing some more research. Ask the sales personnel or take a look at the product descriptions online. 
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  4) How do I recognise real leather?   Artificial leathers are getting better and better and it is getting increasingly more difficult to detect the difference between real and artificial leather. Following tricks might help: 
  a) Smell  Leather has a unique inherent smell which cannot by imitated by artificial leather which is usually odourless or smells slightly like plastic.    b) Surface Structure  Full-grain and top-grain leather both maintain natural blemishes such as scars, wire cuts, insect bites, stretch marks, and neck wrinkles. These “flaws” and inconsistencies are actually a sign of quality, as it verifies the authenticity of the leather. Artificial leathers do not evolve naturally but are artificially made and the grain pattern is embossed by machine creating a very consistent grain pattern. 
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   Our handmade full-grain leather belt Mathis  
    c) Touch  Real Leathers, especially full-grain and top-grain leathers, have a beautiful soft and subtle touch. Artificial leathers, however, are glossy, stiff and feel cold.    d) Cutting Edges   Real Leathers have a fibrous structure on the cutting edges, which is due to the collagen fibers of the skin whereas artificial leather has straight edges. This difference, however, will be difficult to detect with processed leathers.    e) Oil &amp;amp; Water Test   Real leathers are natural materials which absorb water, fats or oil with their open pores. Artificial leathers will not absorb liquids as easily.    f) Patina  Real Leather, especially full-grain leather, will develop a lush patina over time. Artificial leather will usually keep its colour or slightly fade over time.    g) Price  The price of a product is, of course, no definite clue to the quality of the leather, as brands names heavily influence the price, but in general real leather is much more expensive than artificial leather. 
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  5) Why is the distinction important?  First of all, everybody would like to know exactly what they are buying. Secondly, the distinction helps to assess if a product is priced appropriately. Lastly, it also protects customers who pursue a vegan lifestyle from accidentally purchasing a product made of real leather. 
  6) What are not “Real Leathers”  By now, you are for sure wondering what not real leather, i.e. artificial leathers are. Bonded leather is a common example. Similar to shavings from cutting wood, there are leftover leather scraps from splitting and working the hide. Manufacturers bond these leftovers together with an embossed polyurethane coating or latex and call it bonded leather or reconstituted leather. Durability, smell, and texture depend on the varying degree of organic leather in the chemical mix (10%-90%). Even though bonded leather can portray very nice optics, they are not comparable to grain leathers in terms of quality and durability. Another kind of leather which must not be categorised as real leather is faux leather, which can either be produced artificially or organically (e.g. made of pineapples or mushrooms). There are many more types of artificial leathers made of various materials with all sorts of patterns. 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2018-01-21T00:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">ALL ABOUT SAFFIANO LEATHER</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/all-about-saffiano-leather</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/all-about-saffiano-leather"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            Saffiano leather has become one of the most popular leather optics and is used by many of the leading fashion brands. Learn more about how the Saffiano leather optic developed and how it differs from Palmellato leather. 
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            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 &amp;nbsp; 
  All YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SAFFIANO LEATHER  
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   Our white Palmellato leather belt   Stella  .  
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 Most people are familiar with Saffiano leather which has become very popular in recent years. Even though the leather was used exclusively by Prada for decades, it found its way into the bag, wallet, and belt collections of many labels like Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Coach, and Longchamp to name just a few. The leather has gained such tremendous popularity because it combines exceptional durability and stain resistance with elegance and class. 
 Only fashion and leather experts, however, are familiar with Saffiano’s close cousin: Palmellato leather. Palmellato strongly resembles Saffiano leather in its durable properties and appearance with a slight distinction in its surface pattern making it a much rarer find. That is why we decided to choose Palmellato leather for some of our women’s classic belts. Continue reading, to learn all about the similarities and differences of the two leathers, how they are manufactured, and how to care for them. 
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   Left: Saffiano Leather; Right: Palmellato Leather  
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  History and Production  As it is the case for most inventions in the fashion world, Saffiano leather originated in Italy where it was allegedly invented by Mario Prada himself. Prada patented the new leather optic and has used it for many of its most successful bags ever since. Once the patent expired, other brands started using Saffiano leather as well.&amp;nbsp; 
 Saffiano leather is famous for its diagonal lines and cross-hatch pattern which are machine-pressed into the wax coating of the leather giving it a slight sheen. Leather which gain their grain pattern by this kind of stamping method are also called “textured leathers”. Saffiano leather can be made of faux or   genuine leather  . Due to the coating, cheaper corrected leathers – which are a grade of genuine leather - are often used, as imperfections of the hide will be hidden. To read more about corrected leathers, click   here  . 
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   Three of our Palmellato leather belts:   Clara  ,   Chiara  ,   Stella  .  
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 After the leather was heated to about 70°C, the Saffiano or Palmellato pattern is machine pressed into the leather for 10-15 seconds and finally treated with a protective wax finish rendering the leather very resistant to stains, scratches and water. The only thing which could really harm these textured leathers are very sharp items which can cut through the wax finish. Apart from the enhanced durability, the coating gives the leather its unmistakable subtle sheen and allows for the creation of a great variety of colours. 
 Over time many similar yet slightly different surface optics developed. Palmellato was one of them. The main difference to Saffiano is the slightly rounder grain pattern making for a more uniform look. Just like Saffiano, Palmellato is very resistant to stains, scratches, and water while maintaining an elegant appearance. Due to these unique attributes, many high-end fashion houses use Saffiano or Palmellato leathers for their products. 
  Care Instructions   Palmellato and Saffiano are not only very durable but also relatively easy to clean. However, make sure to search for any care tags with specific instructions before trying to clean your Palmellato or Saffiano product. If no cleaning instructions are present or if they prove ineffective, you can try out following care instructions at your own risk. 
 First things first: Empty your bag, purse or wallet before starting to clean it. No matter which cleaning option you go with, always keep in mind that your selected option might harm the leather. Therefore, we recommend to test your chosen cleaning method on a concealed area of the item and to let it dry before applying that cleaning method over the entire area. Also, check the surface of your cloth, brush or sponge in order to see if you are removing any colour from the leather. If so, stop immediately and choose a different cleaning method. 
 &amp;nbsp; 
   Our red Palmellato leather belt   Chiara    
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 In case of lighter stains or dust, use a soft cloth which is slightly damp to remove the dirt. An excellent alternative are baby wipes, as they are very gentle. If you should experience difficulties cleaning the dirt in the groves of the grain pattern, use a slightly damp soft brush instead. Be careful not to press down on the leather too much though, as it might harm the slight sheen of the leather and the grain pattern. If you have a more serious stain which could not be removed with any of the aforementioned methods, you might have to buy a specialized stain remover for the exact kind of stain you are facing. Make sure to use a stain remover which is approved for use with Palmellato or Saffiano leather. 
 For any of these options, we advise to clean the leather with the grain pattern. Allow the leather to dry naturally at room temperature, ideally, in an area of dry air flow and away from any heat sources. If you are dealing with even more severe stains, we recommend seeking the services of a professional leather cleaning expert. It’ll be worth it. 
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   Our red Palmellato leather belt   Clara  .  
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  Use and Storage   Most premium leather goods come with a dust bag. Make sure to use that bag whenever you are not using your product. That way it won’t collect any dust or dirt and it is safe from any accidental spills. Also, be sure to store your Saffiano or Palmellato leather product in an area away from direct sunlight, radiators or excessive changes of heat, as it might change the colour of the leather or modify its shape over time. For Saffiano or Palmellato bags, put some old newspapers inside it when you don’t use it so it maintains its original shape for as long as possible. You can also use a leather conditioner which is suited for Saffiano or Palmellato leather in order to keep the leather soft. All this might sound quite inconvenient but long-term joy with your product will be the reward. 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-11-20T00:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">ALL ABOUT &quot;GENUINE LEATHER&quot;</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/all-about-genuine-leather</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/all-about-genuine-leather"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            It is one of the most common terms in the otherwise highly-regulated fashion world and the true meaning is oftentimes unknown to consumers. The term does not guarantee high quality but simply describes the origin of the materials used. 
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            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 &amp;nbsp; 
  ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT &quot;GENUINE LEATHER&quot;  
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 It is probably one of the most common yet deceiving terms in the otherwise highly-regulated fashion world. Almost any leather piece contains some kind of description; most often “genuine leather”. If you are like most consumers you are not too familiar with the established fashion jargon, especially if you are not a native English speaker. So, when you read the words “genuine leather” you will probably get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside and generally feel good about the quality of the leather product of your desire. Yet, sometimes this good feeling might be misplaced. 
   
  Perception vs. Reality  
 The fashion industry managed to establish a term whose meaning is somewhat difficult to grasp. According to the dictionary, the word “genuine” can have many meanings such as authentic,&amp;nbsp;real,&amp;nbsp;true, or actual. In other words, much more straightforward synonyms to the term “Genuine Leather” would be “True Leather”, “  Real Leather  ”, or “100% Leather”. In short, genuine only means that something is actually made of leather but does not infer high quality. 
 In our article   Leather 101   we shed some light on the different leather grades: full-grain, top-grain, split, and bonded leathers. Even though the grades are quite different in terms of durability, quality, and price, all of the first three leather grades are technically genuine leathers, i.e. they are of real leathers. In case you already did some research about “Genuine Leather”, you have most likely come across sites that describe “Genuine Leather” as the worst leather grade. That is simply incorrect. These sites confuse “Genuine Leather” to be the same as split leather which is an actual leather grade and, indeed, the worst kind of leather quality. Always remember that “Genuine Leather” is not a qualitative term but only a collective term to categorize products which are made of real leather; just like the term “car”. A Ferrari and a VW are not comparable quality-wise. Nevertheless, they are both cars. It’s the same for leathers. Hence, it is also possible that brands label their products as made of “Genuine Leather” even though they are made of premium full-grain leather. Sometimes people also wonder if “Genuine Leather” comes from a certain animal. The obvious answer is “No”. As mentioned above, “Genuine Leather” only means real leather regardless whether it comes from cows, sheep, lamp etc. It is also important to note that “Genuine Leather” does not reveal any information about the animal housing or food quality and the tanning process of the leather. 
 Contrary to full-grain, top-grain, and split leather, bonded leather is only partially made of leather and consequentially does not fall in the genuine leather category. Another kind of leather which must not be categorised as genuine leather is faux leather, which can either be produced artificially or organically (e.g. made of pineapples or mushrooms). This distinction is not only important in order to assess if a product is priced appropriately but also in order to protect customers who pursue a vegan lifestyle from accidentally purchasing a product made of real leather. The labelling of genuine leather in the form of an animal hide symbol including some additional designation has become the standard. It is often stamped on the lining leather of belts or is shown on informative product labels. 
   
  Room for Deception  
 Where it gets a bit sinister is that fashion brands know that many customers are unfamiliar with the term “Genuine Leather” and its actual meaning and they use that to their advantage. Even more expensive brands sometimes use the much cheaper split leathers, label their products as “Genuine Leather”, and sell them for a lot of money. Trusting the good reputation of these brands, the customers assume high quality and might end up being sorely disappointed. 
 Where it gets even more problematic is when it comes to the other meanings of the word “genuine”: original,&amp;nbsp;unfeigned or unadulterated. The only leather grade which could live up to such strict standards are full-grain aniline leathers. Any other kind of leather is processed to varying degrees: Semi-aniline leathers are treated with a slight protective coating which might contain additional pigmentation and Nubuck or Suede leathers are sanded and buffed to create its signature velvety surface texture. Whereas these alterations might be discounted as minor modifications, split or corrected leathers undergro much heavier treatment. They can be worked with polyurethane (PU) coating, artificial grain embossing, or spray-paint to create various leather optics. Yet, that does not mean that split leathers are inherently bad leathers, as split leathers like the famous Saffiano or Palmellato leather optic are beautiful leathers. Yet, we do not believe that even these leathers should be categorized as unfeigned. Therefore, we try to refrain from using the word “Genuine Leather” as much as possible and indicate the exact leather grade or leather optic instead. 
   
  What Now?  
 Always keep in mind that “genuine leather” is a descriptive term and not a qualitative one. Not every genuine leather is the same and it might be beneficial to dig a little deeper before finalizing a purchasing decision. Many of the corrected leathers look very similar to grain leathers and there are only two ways to know what the product of your interest is actually made off: Cut the leather open or ask a sales rep ... you should probably stick to the second option. This might seem a bit tedious but it will be worth it and long-lasting joy with the leather product of your choice will be the reward. 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-08-01T00:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">WHAT IS ANILINE LEATHER?</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/what-is-aniline-leather</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/what-is-aniline-leather"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            We take a closer look at grain leathers and analyse the pros and cons of aniline, semi-aniline, and pigmented/protected leathers. With this guide you&#039;ll know exactly which leather to pick for your occasion.
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            <content type="html">
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                 &amp;nbsp; 
 WHAT IS ANILINE LEATHER? 
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 If you read our article about   Leather Grades  , you’ll know about the different quality grades of leathers. Now, we’ll take a closer look at the best two grades, i.e. full and top grain leather. It is important to know that not every leather grade is the same and that they might be quite different in terms of look, touch, and durability. Generally speaking, there are three grain leather categories: aniline, semi aniline, and pigmented/protected. 
  Aniline Leathers  This is the most natural type of leather which earned it the names Pure Aniline or Full Aniline. It is dyed with soluble dyes in vats so that the colour goes all the way through the hide giving the leather its lush and rich colour. In order to maintain the natural feel and look of the hide no protective coating or surface pigmentation is applied. Additionally, the leathers maintain their natural markings and texture which contributes to the authenticity of the leather. However, the lack of treatment might render the leathers more susceptible to scratching, staining, or fading and might show some colour variations on the surface of the hide. 
 Some aniline leathers are sanded of buffed to create an open nap; the result is called Nubuck. These leathers are the softest kind available and have a beautiful, almost velvety, feel. Yet, they are also the most susceptible to fading or staining due to the open nap. 
  &amp;nbsp; 
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  Semi Aniline Leathers   First things first: In this case &quot;semi&quot; is actually a misnomer, as it does not mean partial. A more appropriate name for semi aniline leather would be aniline plus pigment due to the way it is created. The process starts the same way as for aniline leathers. However, whereas the treatment of full aniline stops after the dying, semi aniline leathers are further treated. So, after the leather is aniline dyed, a slight protective coating, which can contain some additional pigmentation, is applied to the top of the hide to guarantee a consistent colour. Due to the pigmented coating some blemishes will be concealed leaving a more uniform surface texture. Additional finishes can then be applied to the leather either by hand or by machine (e.g. antique looks or exotic leather optics). In the end, a clear protective coating is applied to make the leather stain repellent and sun resistant. The sheen of this coating can be adjusted to give a matte or glossy finish. 
  Pigmented/Protected Leathers  Just like the other two types above, it is dyed all the way through the hide. However, the surface is then coated with a heavy protective topcoat which includes pigmentation. Any kind of blemishes or imperfections are removed through buffing or sanding and then embossed with an artificial grain. At the expense of a deep rich colour and a luxurious feel, pigmented leathers are treated with spray coating which makes it more durable. Therefore, pigmented leathers are the least natural grain leather but also the most durable. 
  Summary   You need to keep in mind that all three types are very good leathers, as they are grain leathers, as opposed to&amp;nbsp;  split leathers  . So, it really comes down to personal preference. If you care more about the authenticity and beauty of natural leathers, you should go with full or semi aniline. If your main concerns are durability and costs but you still want high-quality leathers, protected leathers are right for you.&amp;nbsp;The bigger the surface area (bags, sofas etc.) the more important it is to know about grain leathers when trying to pick the right leather for your needs. 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-07-11T00:00:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">HOW REACH PROTECTS YOU FROM HARMFUL LEATHERS</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/how-reach-protects-you-from-harmful-leathers</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/how-reach-protects-you-from-harmful-leathers"/>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                
                                            In order to turn hides into beautiful long-lasting leathers different kinds of chemical substances and tannins are used during the tanning process. In order to ensure the safety for humans and the environment during the procedures the REACH Regulation was introduced.
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            </summary>
            <content type="html">
                <![CDATA[
                 &amp;nbsp; 
  HOW REACH PROTECTS YOU FROM HARMFUL LEATHERS  
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 Depending on the tanning process several different kinds of chemical substances and tannins are used to turn hides into long-lasting, colorful, and beautiful leathers. Nowadays, these tanning agents are heavily regulated but that hasn’t always been the case. It took until the introduction of REACH for a unified regulation to be formed. All of our partner tanneries have been in compliance with the framework for many years to ensure that no harmful substances are used during the tanning process. Yet, the tanning industry is only one of many industries which have been affected by the Regulation. 
  What is REACH?   REACH is a regulation which came into force in Europe on June 1st, 2007 and is an acronym for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a piece of legislation with vast effects on all companies whose supply chain runs through Europe in any way (i.e. exports from Europe, imports into Europe). 
  The Goal   Overall, the idea behind REACH was to streamline and enhance the existing legislative framework for chemicals by enforcing stricter raw material transparency requirements. Thereby, the dissemination of all the information necessary to use chemicals safely and the adherence to such guidelines should be carried out and enforced by one governing body. Furthermore, the Regulation aimed to free the movement of chemicals within the domestic market in order to promote competitiveness and innovation. 
   
  Compliance with REACH    These new industry-wide guidelines posed a significant challenge to manufacturing and distribution companies which had to implement expensive systems to measure, control and manage chemicals in their products and supply chains. According to the EU Commission this transition cost several billion Euros. Due to these financial and logistical obstacles, many critics scorned the Regulation to be prohibitive to industrial growth and worldwide competitiveness. However, creative minds rose to the occasion and developed software which facilitated the compliance with REACH. So, in retrospective the Regulation has been a success resulting in safer products which are produced in more environmentally-friendly processes. 
  SVHC vs. SIN   We won’t go into too much detail, as this is just a broad overview, but REACH differentiates between SCHC and SIN substances. SVHC stands for Substances of Very High Concern which basically means “highly toxic stuff”; familiar substances include lead, arsenic, and coal tar. Since these substances can have serious and irreversible effects on humans and the environment it is essential to regulate them. 
 Before a substance makes the SVHC list it is usually put on the SIN list. The SIN list – as the name suggests – includes a number of substances which manufacturers should avoid using. The SIN list came into being because companies wanted to know if the chosen replacements for the SVHC banned substances would turn up banned in the future as well. In other words, the SIN list gave companies a long-term roadmap for approved input-materials. Any substance not included in either list is considered safe for production for many years. 
  Regulations in the US    The American equivalent to REACH is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has the power to regulate and even ban the manufacture, use and distribution of new or existing chemicals under the Federal Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). Both Regulations share the same goal to protect the people and the environment but can have different procedures in place to do so. 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-07-06T01:30:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEATHER GRADES</title>
            <id>https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/all-you-need-to-know-about-leather-grades</id>
            <link href="https://dalgado.de/en/the-journal/all-about-leather/all-you-need-to-know-about-leather-grades"/>
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                                            We have probably all asked ourselves before why some leather products are so much more expensive than others. We&#039;ll give you the answer in our brief and straightforward overview guide to leathers grades.
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  ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEATHER GRADES  
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 The leather industry is opaque, complex, and sometimes intentionally misleading. In order to understand why some leather products are much more expensive than others and to protect oneself from bad purchase decisions, some leather education is necessary. Therefore, we would like to give you a brief and straightforward overview guide to leathers grades. 
  About Cowhide  Since whole cowhides are quite thick they are usually cut into different layers depending on its application. The two main layers are the grain layer towards the top and the dermal layer (Corium) towards the bottom. The biggest difference between these two layers is the positioning of the so-called collagen fibres (structural proteins in the connective tissue). In the grain part, the fibres are much tighter and stand up nearly vertically, whereas in the corium part they lie flat almost horizontally. The rule of thumb is simple: the more vertical the fibres, the more durable the leather. 
   
  Leather Grades  Even though there is no standardised grading system, most manufactures rank leather grades in the following descending order in terms of durability and authenticity: full-grain leather, top-grain leather, split leather, and bonded leather. 
 Keep in mind that full-grain leather, top-grain leather, and split leather can all be described as “Genuine Leather” which can be confusing and deceiving. If you want to learn more about Genuine Leathers, click   here  . It is also important to remember that there are many subcategories of leathers and numerous leather optics, i.e. surface patterns. However, not every optic can be crafted from every leather grade.&amp;nbsp; 
  Full-grain leather  Full-grain leather comes from the top layer of a hide and has not been processed in any way (i.e., sanded, buffed, or snuffed). Since the grain is left completely intact, the leather offers the greatest degree of fibre strength and breathability, which allows it to develop a beautiful patina during its lifetime. Additionally, the leather maintains its natural blemishes such as scars, wire cuts, insect bites, stretch marks, and neck wrinkles, which fosters its authenticity. Yet, even though some of these markings are cherished, too many of them are disregarded as poor quality. Therefore, only the best hides can be used for full-grain leather, which is why it is considered premium leather. With the exception of the beautiful design alternatives of Nubuck and Palmellato, all leathers used for our classic belts are full grain leathers. 
  Top-Grain Leather  Contrary to full-grain leather, top-grain leather has been sanded and buffed to enhance workability and eliminate natural blemishes. The refinement of the leather creates a subtle surface, uniformity and greater stain resistance but takes a slight toll on durability. 
  Nubuck Leather  One of the most prominent kinds of top-grain leathers is Nubuck. It has been buffed to create an extremely soft and luxurious outer surface. The rare combination of durability and suppleness is exactly why we choose Nubuck for some of our designs. 
  Split Leather  The most common type of leather comes in many forms and has many names but is best known as Split Leather. It is created from the Corium part of the hide after it is split off the grain layer; hence its name. Since split leather is more pliable than grain leather, it can be worked with polyurethane (PU) or polymer coating, artificial grain embossing, and spray-paint to create various leather optics; that is why other synonyms for this leather are finished split, corrected-grain, bicast leather or PU leather. It is also frequently referred to as true leather in comparison to faux leathers. &amp;nbsp; 
  Suede Leather  A prominent kind of split leather is Suede. It is made out of the split layers from the corium part of the hide, which is scraped and abraded to the point of extreme softness. Due to the loose collagen fibre structure at the bottom of the hide, the resulting nap resembles velvet. Suede is softer and more workable than Nubuck but also bit more susceptible to dirt and stains. In order for suede to maintain its smoothness and suppleness, it should be treated regularly. 
  Palmellato  Palmellato leather is a close relative to the better known Saffiano leather which was invented by Mario Prada himself. Saffiano leather is famous for its diagonal lines and cross-hatch print which is pressed into the leather coating giving it a slight sheen. The stamping process also gave the leather the name textured leather. Over time many optic alternatives developed; Palmellato was one of them. The main difference to Saffiano is the slightly rounder grain pattern. Just like Saffiano, Palmellato is very resistant to stains, scratches, and water. Due to these unique attributes, many high-end fashion houses frequently use Saffiano or Palmellato leathers for their luxurious products. 
  Bonded Leather  Similar to shavings from cutting wood, there are leftover leather scraps from splitting and working the hide. Manufacturers bond these leftovers together with an embossed polyurethane coating or latex and call it bonded leather or reconstituted leather. Durability, smell, and texture depend on the varying degree of organic leather in the chemical mix (10%-90%). Even though bonded can portray very nice optics, they are not comparable to grain leathers in terms of quality and durability. 
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                            <updated>2017-02-01T00:00:00+01:00</updated>
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