As there is a great deal of focus and confusion on this issue, let's summarize the most important factors before going into the detail :

• They Are Quite Similar : Premium-quality alligator and crocodile leathers can be quite similar in several ways, including their classic great looks, relative exclusivity and their ability to look great thru many years of service.
• Buy Quality : Mis-labeling is rampant and it can be extremely difficult determine the actual species of the donor animal once a skin has been processed into a finished belt or wallet.
• Factors to Consider : It is more important to consider qualitative factors rather than the species; these factors include the scale pattern and/or body section utilized, the softness and finish of the leather which can vary widely based upon the tanning and finishing processes utilized, the age and size of the donor animal, and of course the craftsmanship of the finished product.

Back to top

While there is essentially only one species of alligator ( the "American Alligator" or " alligator mississippiensis", only found in the Southeastern US), there are a dozen species of crocodiles, in varied shapes and sizes found all over the world.  With alligators as the primary source for consistently high quality skins, alligator skin is popularly believed to be better than "crocodile" (remember there are many species of crocodile). Though relatively rare, top quality skins from  the Nile Crocodile and Australian Saltwater Crocodile are the equal, and in some ways better, than the best alligator skins. Alligator skin and these relatively rare croc skins are prized because they have more symmetrical scale patterns, with a thicker and softer layer of external skin, and with a smoother and more three-dimensional feel than the lesser quality crocodile skins.

The most common mislabeling of alligator is on items made from the Brown Caiman from Central and South America. While caiman skins can be of good quality, caiman skin is relatively thinner and due to the less sophisticated tanning processes on finished products from South America, it is usually dryer, stiffer and less durable. One visual clue is that caiman can often be identified by small pits in their scales; these pits are far more common in caiman relative to other crocodiles, and virtually non-existent in genuine alligator.

Alligators and all types of crocodile are  endangered, threatened or otherwise protected and their commercial trade is restricted by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). In the USA, Western Europe and in Japan, the trade in these animals is especially well policed. Given a crackdown on the importation of endangered species into the USA, the exact species of the donor animal is of particular significance. Shipments from outside the country are routinely inspected, and without the proper documentation (a "CITES Certificate", issued by the exporting government on each shipment), are often confiscated.

In addition to the species of alligator/crocodile, the quality of the skin varies from animal to animal and from what part of the body the skin is sourced. For smooth-skinned items, the premium sections include the central belly and throat areas where the scales are the largest and the most symmetrical around the center-line of the belly: these scales are somewhat rectangular in shape. The sides (or flanks) can also be very good quality; skin from the sides has scales that are rounded in shape and the skin is a bit thinner. The least desirable section is the tail (which represents about 50% of the animal's length); the tail skin is stiffer, has more widely spaced scales, and is more heavily scared (scarring is normal and validates that the skin is genuine; a little scarring is interesting). The best portions of the tail are suitable for belts or the internal sections of a wallet or purse.

• Hornback :

 

  Smooth, Belly-Skin :

-

Back to top

The size of the donor animal is also important. This can offer a clue to distinguish alligator from caiman, since caiman skins usually come from smaller animals (3 to 5 feet in length; compared to 6 to 12 feet for the typical alligator or Nile Croc). With a smaller donor animal, the pattern and size of the scales transitions rapidly over the small area of the wallet or purse, such that the shape of the crocodile's body/head/tail is clearly apparent; this can be a good thing depending on the application.

While the scale pattern on all alligators and crocodiles is symmetrical relative to the centerline of the body, the scale pattern on alligators can be characteristically different than the scale pattern on crocodiles (note: each species of crocodile has somewhat unique body shape and scale pattern). The size of the scales on an alligator are more directly related to the length of the animal, such that the largest belly scales on a typical 10 foot alligator are well over one-inch square; additionally, the scales on an alligator's centerline can be noticeably larger than the size of the scales just off the centerline. In contrast, the size of the scales on a crocodile tend to be less variable (or less linear) relative to the animal's length; for example, on  a 10 foot crocodile, the largest belly scales may remain under one-inch "square" (and are typically a bit less square than an alligator's scales.) Also, generally speaking, all of the scales on a crocodile's belly are more uniformly sized than on an alligator.

Once a full alligator/crocodile hide has been cut and processed into a final product, the species of the donor animal is in doubt. While the quality of the leather is apparent (again quality is the most important issue), the species is not.  Given that the alligator/crocodile accessory usually represents a relatively small piece of leather from a much larger animal, and there is a great deal of variation in the scale pattern from one individual animal to another, and from the area of the body where the leather is sourced, it may be virtually impossible to determine the species. An "Genuine Alligator" or  "Genuine Crocodile" stamp is of little comfort. This is another reminder to only buy from trusted suppliers, and to primarily focus on quality.

 

Back to top

Alligator and crocodile skins are available in a variety of colors and in two primary types of finishes, the CLASSIC high-gloss, and the SAFARI gloss or semi-gloss. Your choice of finish should depend upon the application and the type of accessory.

• Classic (High-Gloss):

 

  Safari (Matte to Low Gloss):

-

Back to top

The CLASSIC finish is the more processed, smooth shiny patent leather look that was historically associated with the finest quality exotic leather luxury items. To achieve this high gloss, a natural protein (typically albumen or raw  egg-whites) is polished into the skins under high-pressure. Using a hard smooth object under the force of a high pressure glazing jack, the skin is compressed and polished to a high-gloss shine. The resulting leather is a smooth, thin high-gloss leather with tightly spaced scales (the tighter the scale pattern, the higher the pressure utilized). The downside is that the skin becomes relatively stiff, and much less durable. This finish has long been favored by European manufacturers, because it actually expands the useable area of the skin and hides otherwise visible natural imperfections. While this finish initially looks great and appears to be durable because of its hard surface, it is difficult to bend without marring with small wrinkles, and depending upon the application, it can be susceptible to damage from abrasion in normal use. The CLASSIC finish is well suited for flat surfaced luxury items that are protected from abrasion and do not require much dynamic movement; examples are a man's dress/suit belt, a breast-pocket wallet, a lady's evening bag or clutch, and other items that are carried within a purse or briefcase, such as a business card holder or writing journal.

 The SAFARI finish is increasingly more popular due to its understated, more natural semi-gloss look, and its exceptional durability. The SAFARI finish is the result of low-speed, low-pressure buffing using a combination of natural waxes and oils. Because the SAFARI finish has not been subjected to excessive pressure, the leather remains soft and supple and the surface retains the natural scale pattern and the minor imperfections characteristic of a genuine alligator or crocodile skin. The SAFARI  finish can be flexed repeatedly with little or no signs of wear; it is also extremely resilient to abrasion. Since the color and surface finish penetrate deeper into the leather, and the surface is naturally more three-dimensional, scratches to the SAFARI finish are much less apparent. Rather than looking worse for wear with daily use, the patina of the SAFARI finish actually gets richer and deeper over time. In addition to the practical wear advantages, there is a growing preference for this more natural look, which is difficult to imitate.

Some items cannot be easily categorized into one or the other (classic vs. safari) category. For example, to achieve some of the best qualities of both finishes, most of the "classic"  items that we offer can be best described as 2/3 classic & 1/3 safari. This combination offers a relatively  high gloss finish, with durability approaching that of the safari finish.

Back to top

---

Back to top

---

Back to top

---

Back to top

---