In the last few blogs Jonval Leathers and Furs discussed all the many factors that affect the quality of leather. In these next few blogs, we will discuss all of the different types of leather that result from the different qualities of leather.

I, for one, had no idea there were so many different types of leather. Last week we talked about chrome tanned leather and chrome free leather. We learned that chrome free leather is must better and safer for the environment. However, the chrome free tanning process is not always readily available in all countries. 

In this week’s blog, Jonval Leathers and Furs will discuss the next few types of leather. The next leather we will discuss is pigmented leather. This type of leather is generally not the best type of leather. This is because it is not necessary to use good leather when it is just going to be pigmented.

When leather is pigmented, it is layered or covered with other things such as colored polyurethane or varnish. This coating is usually stronger than the leather below it. Generally the leather used for pigmented leather is either split grain leather or Or bonded leather.

Split grain leather has a smooth top layer that has been split away. Bonded leather is made up of several leather particles bonded together using a special glue.  

Despite the lower quality of leather used in pigmented leather, furniture can still be beautiful with this type of leather. These types of coated leathers are becoming quite sophisticated as the need and desire for them increases. The desire for this type of leather may well be because of the many color options available when the leather is pigmented.

So while this type of leather may be well desired, especially when it comes to leather furniture because it is not made from high quality leather, it is likely that it will deteriorate over time. However, with some upkeep and care you can keep your pigmented leather furniture in good condition. So while you may battle this deterioration, you can rest assured that you have a very durable leather. 

This tendency to deteriorate is the opposite of that high quality aniline leather we discussed a few weeks ago. Furniture made with aniline leather will actually become more and more beautiful over time. 

To care for and maintain pigmented leather you can actually use a washcloth and tap water. Yes, water on leather. This is because of the pigmentation process and the fact that that layer is protecting the leather underneath it. You will want to use a special cleaner for leather. Look for one that is low in alkaline. These usually smell lemony fresh as an added bonus to cleaning your leather. 

Being sure to clean and maintain this leather is important. Doing so will keep that top layer from cracking ensuring that your furniture will last a long time. Which is ultimately the goal when making a big furniture purchase. 

We hope you are enjoying learning about all the types of leathers and how to care for them. Be sure to check out Jonval Leathers and Furs for all your leather needs and wants.