How to distinguish mink from a fake? Expert advice, video instructions

Nowadays, finding high-quality mink skin is very problematic, not to mention the product itself from the cute animal. Unscrupulous manufacturers of mink products offer their cheap analogues. It’s so easy to confuse the fur of a marmot or beaver, after a little processing, with the fur of everyone’s favorite predator. But, as the famous proverb says: “Forewarned is forearmed!” Which we will discuss below.

How to distinguish mink from fake

Experts say that it won’t be difficult to distinguish a first-class mink from, say, a third-class mink, because you won’t want to let go of high-quality natural fur. But, all the same, it is better to know about some nuances, thanks to which you yourself can become an expert in choosing this product:

Run your fingers through the mink fur

When carried out, as they say, “with the grain and against the grain,” you should feel soft and silky. If you can feel two layers of fur that are different from each other (guard hairs and undercoat) and each hair is approximately the same length, then the quality speaks for itself and is rated 5 points.

The pile does not recover on its own after being attacked, which means that the storage conditions have been violated. This may be a consequence of being folded for a long time.

By what signs can you distinguish a Greek mink coat from a Chinese mink coat?

Note the height of the spine. The awn is a hard hair that differs from the edge in its thickness and length. In a Greek mink coat, the spine is vertical. In a Chinese fur coat, the awn lies at the edge and it looks like a thorn.
The Greek mink shines equally throughout the entire area. The Chinese fake shines in areas and also has a peculiar glassy sheen.
The color of the dermis of the fur skin in a Greek black mink coat will be light. In the Chinese version, the dermis is black because it is dyed.
Try on a fur coat. If you feel comfortable in it, the sleeves fit well, do not curl or cause discomfort, then this is a real Greek fur coat. Otherwise, it's a Chinese product.
Carefully examine the seams on the product. In a Greek fur coat, all the seams perfectly match each other, they are all vertical and even. In the Chinese version, the seams are simply glued together.
The skin should not be visible between the villi. If such a situation exists, then it is 100% fake, because Chinese craftsmen specially stretch the skin to save on material.
Assess the weight of the product. A real Greek fur coat is heavy, but Chinese work is much lighter. And all because the Chinese product uses the method of stretching the skin when sewing.
In the Greek version of the fur coat, the labels on the lining correspond to the label that comes with instructions. In Chinese fur coats, the labels often do not match the description on the label, and using this principle you can also figure out where the fur coat comes from.
The fibers in a real Greek fur coat do not fall off. If you touch them and then remove your hand, the villi will immediately return to their original position. In the Chinese version of the mink coat, the fibers do not return to their original position. The fur in such a fur coat often stretches and wrinkles greatly.

How to distinguish Chinese mink

It is known that the cost of Chinese mink coats is much less than European ones. Although China has learned to produce high-quality products from the mink industry, there are still a huge number of fakes. But there are also plenty of fakes among them.

In materials from the cheaper segment, the mink is tinted or tinted to be sold as black. Below are some aspects by which Chinese mink is identified:

A tall and pronounced awn, which seems to lie on the undercoat and seems prickly. Shade of dark brown color.
Glass shine always gives away Chinese mink, not even shine, but a matte tint. Usually the fur shimmers with a diamond or beautiful metallic light.
Dense undercoat with long guard. In fact, this shouldn’t happen, so in China they dye it, trying to pass it off as black mink; accordingly, the flesh is also dyed. But the flesh of a natural black mink cannot be dyed.

These signs make it clear that the animal was raised in the Republic of China. It is known that Russian-made mink differs from Chinese mink in the density and long pile, while Scandinavian mink has short but thick pile. A huge percentage of mink products are black skins with a defect called “unproduced awn,” which to amateurs may resemble North American mink skins.

Video: Fur coats: how not to buy a fake that you’ve been saving for for so long

What types of fur are faked?

Natural mink is counterfeited quite rarely, but its processed versions are much more common. After cutting and dyeing, cheap types of raw materials can be passed off as expensive mink fur. However, these fur products have a quality level that is several times lower than the original.

If you want to completely insure yourself against a rash purchase, then you should choose a fur coat only in branded stores. After all, neither the store nor the manufacturer want to lose their reputation, therefore, despite the fact that their prices are slightly higher, they provide customers with a quality guarantee. This is called reasonable savings, since a high-quality mink coat can withstand up to ten years of active use. Only after this can signs of wear begin to appear on it.

And it costs a lot of money, so the purchase must be treated with special care. After all, a thing will last more than ten years, and it’s a shame when a fake is purchased at a high cost. To avoid this, let’s figure out how to choose natural fur.

How to distinguish mink from other fur

In order to warm not only the body, but also the soul in the winter cold, you should know the difference between expensive and cheap fur. This can be done easily if you remember the following signs:

Mink can be distinguished from other colored fur by the stiffness of the hair. Mink fur is tough, but not itchy. The service of the product directly depends on this.
The direction of the mink pile is one directional. When carried out, they should return to their original position.
The shine of a fur product is of great importance. Mink fur has a uniform, dim sheen, and the presence of white stripes on undyed material is also allowed.
The quality of the seams on a mink product must be impeccable, the stitches are thin and even, without the presence of glue. Glued fur is of lower quality than sewn fur. Each skin must have a stamp on it - this is the main difference between a certified product.
The smell of mink cannot be sharp and unpleasant.

Today, mink coats have gained popularity in fashion trends. They received their status due to their solidity and investment character. Unlike down jackets and fur coats of other animals, mink coats are durable.

How to recognize good mink fur

Initially, it is worth finding out the gender of the mink animal, as this is reflected in the texture of the fur. Fur made from the skins of a female is considered to be of the best quality; the products are soft and light. In males, the fur is tougher and denser, so the skins are heavy and are cut more often.

Before you go to the store

First of all, decide how you will wear a fur coat and why you need it. If this is a thing for every day, you should consider fur coats below the knees, with long sleeves that cover the thumb to the middle, and, preferably, with a hood, in which you will not be afraid of any frost. The undercoat of such a fur coat should be thick and dense, which will affect its weight, but will provide the necessary comfort in winter. For executive purposes or for driving a car, you can purchase a short fur coat or short fur coat, with ¾ sleeves, which will need to be worn with long gloves.

Since mink fur is quite expensive, there is always a danger that they will try to sell you a fake mink coat, passing it off as a dyed rabbit, honorik or marmot. A specialist, of course, can easily distinguish a fake, but an inexperienced buyer can be deceived. In addition, the quality of fur and tailoring greatly depends on the country of origin; the bulk of these products on the market are from Italy and Greece; recently, Chinese fur coats of good quality have appeared, but in this case it should be checked especially meticulously. Therefore, it is best to buy a mink coat not at the clothing market, but in a reputable salon or store specializing in the sale of fur products. In this case, you will receive guarantees that the fur is real, and the opportunity to return the fur coat if a defect is discovered.

How to distinguish sheared mink from other fur

Initially, what you need to pay attention to when choosing a mink is the weight of the product. Mink is much lighter than any other fur. Very often, manufacturers camouflage themselves with the fur of a rabbit, beaver, ferret or marmot. Therefore, it is so important to know their main differences in order to avoid counterfeiting.

The marmot is often passed off as a mink. But it is distinguished by its prickly fur and hairs, which are of different lengths. The marmot's spine is elastic, but plastic, so it does not return to its original shape. When used, the fur turns blue.
Rabbit fur is softer than mink and has a non-uniform color. When you pinch the undercoat, lint remains.
The ferret has a high awn and sparse undercoat. Also, the color of the ferret's fur is peculiar (light below and dark above).
The beaver has tough fur and thick flesh.

When choosing mink fur, you should not rush; now you know simple methods; you should use all your senses to find the right model. After all, in order to make a profitable purchase, you need to be attentive to the details.

Where are you less likely to buy a fake?

Of course, even in a store you can buy low-quality goods, but still less likely than at a market counter. It's worth buying a mink coat:

In large chain stores. The seller will value his reputation and will not allow the sale of counterfeits.
In factory stores. The manufacturer will not neglect the trust of customers; moreover, the products will have reasonable prices.
Outside the country. Fur products purchased in Europe, China and Latin American countries are famous for their high quality.

The seller will provide a guarantee and So, we have decided on the place of purchase. Let's start discussing the main question: how to distinguish a fake mink coat?

Features of Italian and European fur coats

As for Italian fur coats, they are mainly made from Scandinavian mink. But here the pattern itself, as well as the model of the fur coat, has a huge difference. It is worth noting that Italian fur coats are made with the assistance of designers, so these items are quite expensive. The quality of tailoring is perfect, and you can choose a completely unusual model, which is quite difficult to find in any other country.

In addition, there are models that are sewn onto non-standard figures, in which the difference between the upper and lower parts is more than 2 sizes. At the same time, these products look very harmonious and chic.

Italian fur coat

In order not to be deceived, you must carefully choose a fur coat. Don't be fooled by the low price, as a quality fur coat cannot be cheap. If necessary, come to the store several times, and also ask for quality certificates. Be sure to inspect not only the fur, but also the flesh.

Criterias of choice

There are four different ways to buy a fur coat. Which one will be more convenient for you is up to you to decide.

1. Buying a fur coat in a Chinese online store

2. Trip to China

3. Purchase through Russian dealers

4. Purchase through intermediaries.

Purchasing from an online store can be called the most risky, since the photo of the product and its description do not always correspond to reality.

To protect yourself from counterfeiting, adhere to the following rules:

If you order a fur coat on the website of an online store, carefully study the information about what material the fur coat is made of.
Don't ignore reviews, especially negative ones.
Please note the seller's rating, if provided.
Don't buy a fur coat from an online store you've never heard of.
Make a purchase only on a time-tested and popular platform.
To avoid buying a “pig in a poke,” clothes need to be carefully inspected and tried on.

If buying a fur coat in a Chinese online store does not suit you, there is a second way. And he is more reliable. For a Chinese fur coat, you can go to a fur salon that works with different brands. By comparing prices, you will understand which fur coats were brought from China and which from other countries.

By buying a fur coat in such a store, you can save , but a little less than if you bought the product through an online store. The advantage of buying a fur coat from a multi-brand fur store is that you can evaluate the quality of the fur coat and try it on yourself.

When buying a fur coat through an intermediary, you will save less than in an online store, but more than in a fur salon. Intermediaries deal with the delivery of fur coats from China. It is better to buy a Chinese fur coat through an intermediary on the recommendation of someone from your circle.

The best way to save on buying a fur coat is an independent trip to the Celestial Empire . Of course, if we take into account transportation costs, food and stay in this country, then it is advisable to buy not one, but two or more fur coats at once. Before your trip, you can invite your friends to cooperate. This way you will cover part of your expenses.

Fur market in China

If you decide to go on a fur coat tour to China on your own, the following recommendations will help you:

If after trying on a fur coat you decide to buy it, then ask the seller to pack it. At the same time, do not let the fur coat out of your sight for a second. Chinese sellers may give you the wrong product that you chose and paid for. They can easily pack you a low-quality fur coat, sewn in some underground workshop, or a fur coat that costs much less than the one you paid for.
Do not trust the words of the seller and the labels on the fur coat. There are cases where rabbit fur has been passed off as Rex or mink. So be careful. If you decide to buy, for example, a sable fur coat, learn to distinguish this fur from all the others.
Always bargain and do not agree to buy a product at the price offered to you . You can and should bargain in Chinese markets. You can safely ask for a discount of 30-40% from the stated price. In some cases, you can bargain for 50%.

Where is the best place to buy a mink coat so you don’t get scammed?

Market. Definitely not. In any case, these are clothes from China. You will not find high-quality Greek fur coats on the market. You don't even have to doubt it. And if they assure you and swear to you that the fur coat comes from Greece, then they are blatantly deceiving you.
Exhibition, fair of fur items. No, because at such fairs manufacturers simply dump the remnants of their stale goods, saying they are the hit of the season, but in reality it turns out that this is a hit for another 2000 years.
Specialized stores and salons selling fur products. The answer is yes. In such establishments, you must be provided with quality certificates for the product upon request, and must also be given a guarantee when purchasing the product. Many people think that the prices for fur coats in such salons are too high, but the quality there is also at the highest level. Therefore, if you want to wear a truly authentic Greek fur coat, it is better to spend a round sum in a boutique once than to buy a Chinese fake every year.

Fur quality

The Chinese mink, of course, differs from the Russian one, but it also had a good undercoat, the pile quickly returned to its original position. The fitting was a little disappointing, since the fur coat did not fit a little in terms of height, the drawstring was higher than the waist. Further, a detailed examination of the fur coat revealed significant shortcomings:

lack of zipper to check the quality of the meat;
the transverse stripes turned out to be narrower than stated;
the smell and hem on the fur coat are cut incorrectly, everything is done to the minimum;
the flesh consisted of pieces in places;
The fur belt is too short and narrow.

The HDHOHR seller did not make a zipper to check the quality of the fur, but I was not too lazy and ripped off the lining at the bottom of the fur coat...

The quality of the skins turned out to be quite good, they were light and elastic inside, but the fact that individual strips were sewn from pieces was disappointing. The photo showed a product made of 8 wide stripes, but in fact I received a fur coat made from 10 thinner strips, that is, the seller saved a lot, while the description indicated that the fur coat was made from whole skins.

The accessories in the HDHOHR fur product are of high quality - strong hooks, a plain silk lining, the edges of the lining are additionally stitched with braid. Externally, the fur coat looks very impressive.

Taking into account the above shortcomings, I decided to negotiate with the seller for partial compensation, but the seller responded extremely reluctantly and did not acknowledge these obvious shortcomings.

As a result, I opened a dispute on Aliexpress, in which I asked to return part of the money, but the decision was made: “Return of goods and refund of money,” that is, I had to send the fur coat back to the seller and get my money, but this option did not suit me, I left my fur coat, I wear it, it’s warm and beautiful. This mink hat looks great with her!

Chinese fur coats: pros and cons

The advantages of Chinese-made fur coats include their relatively low cost. This puts some buyers off. However, you should not be distrustful of the Chinese manufacturer, because more than 50% of European fur clothing brands trust it.

Let's see how the production process works in Chinese fur factories. All products have appropriate quality certificates. To sew fur coats, we use high quality fur purchased at fur auctions. Modern technologies are used in production.

Fur factories in China

As mentioned above, furs for sewing clothes are bought at fur auctions. Since the Chinese do not breed fur-bearing animals in their country, they mainly purchase raw materials from Russia and Canada.

It is precisely because fur is purchased at world auctions that the buyer does not have to worry about its quality. The Chinese use high-quality fur purchased from other countries as material for further production. Fur coats sewn in their factories are in no way inferior to Russian, Greek, Italian or Turkish, because the technology is practically the same.

Tailoring to order

Since the mink coat was made taking into account my measurements and wishes, I had to wait about a week for it to be sewn. I asked the seller to make a hidden zipper to check the quality of the mesh, lengthen the sleeves, replace the lining in the fur coat with a plain one, sew a button on the collar and sew a fur belt separately.

A week after the order, the seller sent a photo of the finished product on a mannequin and on November 28 sent my order via e-EMS. On December 20, the courier delivered the parcel directly to my home; it took quite a long time for such an expensive item.

Having opened the parcel, the first impression was good, the product corresponded to the photo sent before shipping. At first glance, the fur coat seemed light and overly thin.