So, you are looking for something unique and different for your next leather project. Something that will stand out and really impress. Maybe what you need is a rare leather hide that is exotic and one of a kind.
Rare leather is leather that is produced in small or limited quantities. Rare leather is sourced from wild animals, reptiles, birds and fish. These animals are used solely for their hides. The populations are usually small or carefully controlled which is what makes them rare.
Rare leathers are mostly always exotic leather, but exotic leather isn’t always rare leather. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s rarest leathers and the reason they classified as rare. We also discuss whether it’s illegal to sell rare leather and look at some US suppliers of rare exotic leather.
What are some of the 10 rarest leathers.
Here is a list of some of the rarest leathers in the world today.
- Python leather
- Crocodile
- Alligator leather
- Ostrich
- Stingray
- Lizard
- Elephant
- Hippo
- Giraffe
- Armadillo
What makes a leather rare.
The main thing that makes leather rare is the population size of a particular animal. The smaller the population, the rarer the leather will be. The rarer it is, the more expensive it will be. If it’s on the Endangered Species list, you should forget about buying it. People caught trading in illegal leather can get stiff jail sentences or fines for the illegal trade in leather.
The size of the animal can also have an impact on its rarity. Animals that are smaller will provide a smaller hide, an example would be lizard or snake leather. Therefore, a large quantity is needed in order to make one pair of boots or shoes. This places further strain on the endangered species or population.
Is Rare leather illegal?
The trade, sale and manufacturing of leather is illegal in certain countries, particularly the United States. This is because the United States is trying its best to prevent the illegal trade in any endangered species and therefore discourage the sale of certain leathers. Let’s take a look at what leather is illegal in the USA.
Kangaroo leather: Kangaroo leather was banned in the state of California in 1971, when President Reagan passed a bill banning all trade in Kangaroo leather in California. This law still stands today even though many studies have shown Australian Kangaroo population is flourishing and is nowhere near endangered. Kangaroo numbers are carefully controlled, and a certain number are allowed to be culled each year. Here’s a link to a post i wrote on Kangaroo leather.
Sea Turtle: Yes, believe it or not you can make leather from Sea Turtles…….although I wouldn’t want to. Sea Turtle leather is banned in the United States as it’s an endangered species and is protected under the Endangered Species Act. It’s also protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Pangolin: Pangolins are also an endangered species which are protected by CITES and E.S.A. Leather is made from their scales. The pangolin which is similar to an armadillo (sort of) is very low and any trade in this animal should be avoided and reported.
Where can I buy Rare leather.
Rare and exotic leather suppliers are few and far between in the US as it’s a very niche market. Supply can vary depending on the season and availability. As mentioned, the buying and selling of hides needs to come from a reputable source, with all the necessary paperwork and permits. Suppliers don’t want to risk being shut down or given hefty fines for the illegal trade in rare leather.
If you would like to see what’s available to buy in the US then one company i can recommend is the Leather Guy. They have been around since 1997 and have grown from a small garage setup into a big worldwide supplier. If you would like to check out their rare leather range then here is the link to theleatherguy.
Another rare leather supplier you can have a look at is District Leathers. They are a New York based exotic leather supplier that has been around since 2016. They supply leather anywhere in the world and work with many big suppliers. It’s a family run business that has extensive knowledge of the industry. Here is a link to District leathers
Conclusion
Hope you managed learn something new and remember it’s all about being aware of what’s legal and what’s illegal. Exotic leather is both beautiful and visually striking but it needs to come from a reputable supplier. If you would like to learn some more about rare exotic leather, check out my previous post on Exotic leather. Happy Leathercrafting!