Hermès

Beyond the Ordinary: A Guide To Hermès’ Exotic Leathers

From the majestic Alligator to the iconic Ostrich: delving deep into Hermès’ luxury leather offerings

Welcome to Part Two of our Ultimate Guide to Hermès Leathers for 2023.

Portefeuille Hermes Silk in en cuir epsom rose all of the non-exotic leathers currently being utilized by Hermès for bags, from Barenia to Volynka, and included information on leather sourcing, the most durable and the most popular leathers, and the most often-confused leathers.

This part of the Guide covers all of the exotic leathers currently being utilized, from Alligator to Ostrich, and includes information on CITES and Hermès’ longstanding commitment to sustainability.

Alligator (Sac à main Hermes Constance en crocodile marron-fauve | Alligator Mississippiensis; Exotic Leather)

Alligator is considered an exotic leather and is denoted on the bag by a square stamp. Alligator is very similar in appearance to Crocodile but can be distinguished by the lack of the “pore”, which looks like a dot in the center of each scale; this pore is part of the Croc’s ciliary sense organ, which Alligators do not have. Hermès’ Alligators are farmed in Florida. As it is hard to find large skins, Alligator is generally used on smaller bags.

The surfaces of Alligator items are delicate and should be treated with care. Alligator items hermes sales q1 rise leather goods earnings profit; because it isn’t glazed or otherwise treated, if an Alligator item gets wet, the water can create a permanent mark or stain (although it can be glazed, that should never be done more than twice to prevent creating an uneven surface, which can break down over time). Alligator items come with a CITES certificate which should be carried with the bag when traveling.

PurseForum Links: Bellissima pochette Hermes Jige in pelle Swift Rose Sakura?, Gros delettrez 17344 2013-11 Canel Hermes Vuitton et divers

Sac à main Hermes Constance en crocodile marron-fauve | Matte Alligator

The finish of the Matte Alligator skin is created by rubbing the skin with felt, which means the skin has to be as perfect as possible because any defects or blemishes will be visible. Matte Alligator items tend to cost a little more than Shiny Alligator (although Alligator items cost less than Crocodile).

Matte Alligator in Mykonos. Alligator has fairly even, square-ish scales and no pores.
Bolso de mano Hermes Kelly 32 cm en cocodrilo porosus naranja.

Shiny (Lisse) Alligator

The finish of Shiny Alligator is created by buffing the skin with a stone until a sheen develops; while Shiny Alligator is just as delicate as Matte, the sheen of Shiny Alligator scales can help disguise small imperfections.

Hermes Camelia Sandal Noir Ganebet Store.
Hermes Camelia Sandal Noir Ganebet Store.

Hermès Crocodile Skins

Crocodile is an exotic leather similar to Alligator; the surfaces of both are delicate and should be treated with care. Crocodile is distinguishable from Alligator in that Crocodile scales have a pore, appearing as a dot in the center of each scale, which Alligator scales do not have.

As with Alligator, Crocodile items hermes sales q1 rise leather goods earnings profit; because it is not glazed or otherwise treated, if it gets wet, the water can create a permanent mark or stain (although it can be glazed, that should never be done more than twice to prevent creating an uneven surface, which can break down over time). Crocodile items come with a CITES certificate which should be carried with the bag when traveling.

Шкіряні шкіряні сланці hermes: Niloticus, which Boxa from the Nile Region of Zimbabwe, Porosus, sterling silver Hermes crystal earrings Moreletii, which Boxa from Central and South America.

PurseForum Link: Ode to the Croco!, Crocodile and Alligator photos

Niloticus Crocodile

Niloticus Crocodile is farmed in Zimbabwe and is denoted by the . . (two dots) stamp. It is a very durable leather. It has larger, more oblong (rectangular) scales, and is less expensive than Porosus Crocodile.

Taurillon Clemence HERMES Picotin Lock MM Hand Bag Blue Zanzibar

As with Alligator, the Matte finish is created by rubbing the skin with felt, which means that the skin has to be as perfect as possible because any defects or blemishes will be visible. Matte Crocodile items tend to cost a little more than Shiny Crocodile.

Hermes Croisiere 1.240.
Hermes Croisiere 1.240.

bolso para llevar al hombro hermes marwari en cuero togo color oro y cuero marron

The finish of Shiny Crocodile is created by buffing the skin with a stone until a sheen develops. While Shiny Crocodile is just as delicate as Matte, the sheen of Shiny Crocodile scales can help disguise small imperfections.

Hermes-Shiny-Nilo-Crocodile-Closeup-Swatch


Porosus Crocodile

Porosus Crocodile is farmed in Australia and denoted by the ^ (carat) stamp. It is more expensive than Niloticus Crocodile. With is smaller, more symmetrical scales, Porosus Crocodile is the most esteemed of Hermès’ exotic leathers.

Hermes шикарная женская сумка в синем цвете

As with Alligator, the Matte finish is created by rubbing the skin with felt, which means that the skin has to be as perfect as possible, because any defects or blemishes will be visible.

Matte Crocodile is more expensive than Shiny, and Porosus Crocodile is more expensive than Niloticus: Hermes шикарная женская сумка в синем цвете is currently the most expensive leather Hermès produces.

Orologio Hermes Arceau in acciaio Circa 2010.
Orologio Hermes Arceau in acciaio Circa 2010.

Bolso de mano Hermes Kelly 35 cm en cuero box azul marino

The finish of Shiny Crocodile is created by buffing the skin with a stone until a sheen develops; it is not glazed (and glazing should never be done more than twice to prevent an uneven surface, which can break down over time). While Shiny Crocodile is just as delicate as Matte, the sheen of Shiny Crocodile scales can help disguise small imperfections.

Crocodile is distinguishable by the “pore” in the center of each scale.
Crocodile is distinguishable by the “pore” in the center of each scale.

Moreletii Crocodile

Porosus Crocodile is farmed in Australia and denoted by the ^ stamp. It is more expensive than Niloticus Crocodile. With is smaller, more symmetrical scales, Porosus Crocodile is the most esteemed of Hermès’ exotic leathers.

Crocodylus Moreletii, also known as Morelet’s Crocodile, is native to Belize, Guatemala and Mexico; Hermès obtains its Moreletii from Mexico, which has breeding farms (as of 2004, Mexico had three captive-breeding operations for Moreletii, and began exporting it in 1997, see John Caldwell, 2006, World Trade in Crocodilian Skins, 2002-2004, p. 37. In: Sac à main Hermes Constance en crocodile marron-fauve, IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge UK).

Marinella napoli hermes стиль платок 87 85 шелк very rarely; it is denoted by the . . .  (three dots) stamp. Although, as noted above, the Porosus Crocodile is known as the most expensive leather utilized by Hermès, the Moreletii Croc is, in fact, slightly more expensive than Porosus.

The appearance of Moreletii Croc scales is very similar to Porosus scales, although the Moreletii scales are slightly smaller, flatter and more even. Additionally, the appearance of the Moreletii scales has been described as a cross between shiny and matte.

hermes 2020 item.
hermes 2020 item.

Lizard

Lizard is an exotic leather with smooth scales which are polished to a gloss with agate stones. Hermès has utilized Polished Lizard since the 1920s. While it is a firm leather that is scratch-resistant and will keep its shape, it is also delicate and prone to drying out. Bright colors in Lizard are also prone to fading with prolonged exposure to light. Water should be avoided, and due to the size of the skins, Lizard is generally limited to accessories and smaller bags.

PurseForum Links: Talk to Me About Lizard, Elegante cintura Hermes Médor in pelle box gold?, Hermes 24 faubourg парфумована вода 100 ml та 50 ml, Bolso de mano Hermes Picotin en cuero togo Rosa Cangrejo

Ombre Lizard (Varanus Salvator)

Ombre Lizard is made from the Varanus Salvator, which Boxa from Southeast Asia, and is denoted by a = stamp. This leather is very smooth and shiny; the term “Ombre” refers to the natural light rings which are easy to see contrasted against the darker scales.

An Ombre Lizard Verrou. Photo via TPFer @allure244.
An Ombre Lizard Verrou. Photo via TPFer @allure244.

Polished Lizard (Varanus Niloticus)

Polished Lizard is produced from Varanus Niloticus, which Boxa from the Nile River and is denoted by a – stamp. It is available in both Matte and Shiny finishes, although even the Matte finish will appear relatively shiny due to the scales.

Огромный шёлковый платок в стиле hermes франция.
Огромный шёлковый платок в стиле hermes франция.

Ostrich

Ostrich has been used for Hermès bags since around 1920 and is easy to distinguish by its pattern of follicles; the process to prevent damage to the follicles includes flattening them and tripling the skin. Water-resistant and extremely durable (if properly cared for, items make with this leather can last for decades), Ostrich will keep its shape over time and can handle rain as long as it is wiped down afterward, but it is sensitive to light and oils, including the oils from your skin, which will cause the leather to darken.

Hermès Ostrich is farmed in South Africa and is an exotic leather; these items will come with a CITES certificate which should be carried with the bag when traveling.

PurseForum Links:Hermes Izmir Sandal Men Shoes Noir Ganebet Store quantity, A Beginner’s Question on Ostrich Leather, Ostrich and Lizard Photos

Ostrich in Vert Criquet.
Ostrich in Vert Criquet.

HERMES Bolide Pouch Canvas Leather Mini Cosmetics Bag Black

Since the 1970s, the international community has been attempting to strike a balance between commerce and the preservation of natural resources. Hermès has been a proactive community member on both sides of that balance, ensuring the continuation of the various species utilized for leather production via Sac à main Hermes Kelly 35 cm en cuir box bleu-marine. Hermès’ longstanding commitment to sustainable development, under the heading of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) includes the following areas:

For further information, please see the above links, Hermès’ 2022 CSR abstract, Рідкісний дорога краватка zilli versace hermes burberry brioni vuitton ferre here.


What is a CITES certificate?

CITES is an acronym for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Also called the Washington Convention, CITES is a treaty adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1973 (effective July 1, 1975) with the purpose of ensuring the preservation of more than 38,000 species of animals and plants.

It was signed by 80 member countries, and currently includes the member-states of the United Nations (non-members include: East Timor, Haiti, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, North Korea, South Sudan, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, the Holy See and the Faroe Islands).

All items Hermès produces using any species protected by CITES must be accompanied at the time of sale with a document, also known as CITES (or a CITES document or certificate), which states certain signifying information about the item and indicating that the item was produced and sold in accordance with the rules of the Convention. Any item covered by CITES must also be accompanied by the CITES document when traveling internationally.

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