What is the difference between Artificial leather and genuine leather?

Leather has always been a symbol of luxury and status for many years. It is cherished for its versatile nature and luxurious look, you found it different designs, colors, finishes and strength. Which is the main reason who find a large variety of high-end products made of out pure leather as well as artificial leather in the market.

Genuine Leather is derived from the skin of animals like buffalo, cows, sheep, goats even exotic animals. The leather obtained from different group of animals is different that’s why you find variations in leather. Sheep leather is soft and perfect for wallets, whereas buffalo leather is strong by nature and may even be used for coats and laptop bags. It is possible to treat leather to further increase its flexibility and overall appearance.

These days, there are numerous factories that produce synthetic leather. These materials, also known as Artificial Leather, Faux Leather, Leatherite, and Polyurethane (PU), resemble leather quite closely, although they have several variances that most men wouldn't recognise. They are made from petroleum, are highly rigid and hard, almost like plastic. Although products manufactured of faux leather may be less expensive, they are less durable than real leather and frequently peel off rapidly. 

Here are some guidelines to help you tell the difference between genuine leather and artificial leather.

Look at the leather:

By looking at the leather, it is possible to tell authentic leather from the fake one. Although at first, both synthetic leather and genuine leather appear to be the same, the pores in synthetic leather will be quite similar and even. Genuine leather has irregular pores because it is a natural material. Additionally, it will contain irregularly shaped stains, scratches, and other flaws, which are the symbol of genuine leather. 

Examine the edges: 

Since genuine leather is a natural material that frays at the edges, anything created from it will have rough edges. Artificial leather products will have nearly flawless edges because the material is produced with cleanly cut edges. Additionally, because real leather is stretchy, it will fold slightly and bend along the edges. Artificial leather, on the other hand, is stiffer and will not curve as nicely.

Feel the leather with your hands. Real leather feels different than fake leather. Genuine leather should be flexible and soft. Given its natural origin, it is frequently a touch rough. On the other hand, synthetic leather will feel like plastic. It won't have any surface irregularities and will be consistently hard and synthetically smooth.

Smell the leather: 

Synthetic leather can mimic the appearance of genuine leather, but it cannot replicate the scent of real leather. Genuine leather has a distinctive natural smell. Since synthetic leather is manufactured artificially, it either has no smell or may emit a light chemical or plastic odour. 

The Water Test: 

A drop of water can be used to more precisely determine if a product is made of real leather or not. Real leather will absorb some water in just a few seconds unless it is made water-proof. Both the quality of the material and the contents won't be harmed by this. On fake leather, a drop of water will just glide off the surface rather than being absorbed by the material. Plastic does not absorb water, which explains this. However, keep in mind that pure leather naturally cannot withstand excessive amounts of water and may become damaged if it does.

 

The Burn Test: 

Attempting to burn the leather is another sure fire way to determine if it is genuine or not. Genuine leather is fire-resistant and won't burst into flames when burned. It simply gets a little burned and wrinkly around the edges. Artificial leather, on the other hand, can completely burn and smell like burning plastic. Artificial leather is made of plastic, which comes from petroleum and is quite flammable by nature.

Products made out of real leather and faux leather are both reasonably priced. If one is looking for the real one, one must be completely certain that they are purchasing authentic leather. When shopping for leather goods, keep these suggestions close at hand when you are going shopping next time!