Every kind of leather has its own unique tanning and finishing process – however, the exotic leathers that are the most complex to tan are alligator, crocodile and ostrich. Here is an overview of the peculiar high-maintenance differences of these amazing animal skins from standard cowhide leather you should know:

1) Coloring and Finishing – With a high quality tanned hide, some of the finest handiwork is done to create a finished material. The coloring and finishing process will determine the ultimate look and feel of the finished skin. Ostrich skin is very particular and requires very careful coloring and finishing to prevent creating holes in the sensitive pock-marks. Professional tanneries will only use the best quality finishes and dyes for their products.

2) Quality measurements and processing is much different – Cowhide leather can be easily mass-produced with fewer quality measurements. Alligator, crocodile, and ostrich skin require much more maintenance – these exotic sins cannot be processed in large batches, they require extra steps and time, and the maturity rate of the animal is often slower and offers less availability than regular cowhide. Only a truly professional exotic leather tanner can produce a quality hide free of holes, defects, and inconsistencies.

3) Bleaching the Skins – Skins are bleached to remove any existing pigmentation in the skins. This ultimately forms a “crust” which is basically a colorless hide that is ready for tanning and finishing in any Pantone color. Hazardous ingredients are used in this process, which also requires proper ventilation, equipment, storage, and draining tools to do correctly and safely.

4) Liming Procedures are Different – Liming is a process used to remove the outer layer of skin. This process is tricky and must be monitored closely. After liming has commenced for several days, “de-liming” is done with the help of Ammonium Chloride and the chemicals are properly recycled or disposed of. Once this is completed, each crocodile, alligator, or ostrich skin must be carefully clipped.

5) High Maintenance Processing – Only an expert tanner understands the patience and dedication to the craft of leather making to produce a high quality finished hide in crocodile, alligator, or ostrich. Any mistakes in the process can make a perfectly tanned hide an inferior low-grade product. Being an exotic animal (and often a regulated species), skins require tagging and must meet the regulations of the country of origin for inspections.

6) Skins are graded by size – Cowhide leather is much easier to produce than crocodile, alligator, or ostrich and is often sold in large measurements. In contrast, every extra centimeter or inch of an exotic hide increases its value, so a professional tanner will do everything they can to maximize the size, finish, and quality of every square cm/inch of the material and trim the least amount off as possible.

7) Proprietary Tanning and Re-Tanning Process – Each professional tanner has their own “special blend” of tanning ingredients to produce the highest quality luxury skins. Alligator, crocodile, and ostrich hides are no exception, and an experience tanner will use their special tanning sauce to craft the best quality materials. A good tanner also includes an anti-fungal mixture if the skins may be stored for a long period of time to prevent the growth and increase the life of the skins.

8) Tanning and Finishing chemicals must be precise – Only a professional tanner knows the exact measurements of the chemicals needed to produce a luxury grade exotic skin hide in crocodile, alligator, and ostrich. Whereas cowhide is easy to tan in comparison, mistakes in measurements of tanning chemicals for exotics can ruin an expensive animal hide.

There are thousands of fine leather craftsmen all over the world, often specializing in tanning specific exotic animal skins with decades of experience that they pass on to future generations.

There are a million different kinds of girls hair accessories on the market and it’s hard to figure out which kind will work best for your little girl, not to mention, unless you make them yourself, who really knows what the heck the difference is between the different clips – alligator, French barrette, snap clips, huh?! Well, depending on what you want to do with them, there are definitely some that will work better than others for what you need so it’s a good idea to have an idea of what each type of hair accessory is meant for so you can make the best choice.

The most commonly used girls hair accessory is the alligator clip. The reason it’s called the alligator clip is because it looks just like an alligator’s mouth. You press one end and it opens up. They are usually made of metal and come in a range of sizes, typically 1-1/4″ to 2″. They are very easy to put in so pretty much hassle free for moms. Many are made with ‘no-slip grips’ so they shouldn’t fall out of even fine hair and are harder for your little one to get out. You can get these clips in a simple and elegant style, made just with ribbon, or frilly and fancy with bows. They work in all types of hair and are great for keeping hair out your little girl’s face, especially if she’s growing out her bangs!

Another kind of clip is called the snap clip. This just basically snaps in place. You will find a lot of baby and girls’ hair accessories are made with the snap clip. I find these are harder to get in because they don’t open up nearly as wide as the alligator clips, but they are perfect for the babies with just peach fuzz or less than 1 inch of hair. You can certainly get them in bigger sizes (they typically range from 1″ to 4″) for for bigger kids too, but they’ve never been my favorite type of clip for anything other than accessorizing. They are lots though that are super cute with bows and things, but they’re really meant more for adding to a cute hairstyle than to actually hold hair back.

The next kind of popular girls hair accessory is the barrette, sometimes called French barrette. These are especially good for the older girls with more hair. Barrettes are different than alligator clips because they close at both ends and actually snap together. This holds a secure section of hair, even up to the amount of a a pony tail. They come in a range of sizes as well. They are great for thick hair and for holding a more defined section of hair.

Another type of clip is the jaw clip. These come in a large variety of sizes, from tiny, ‘mini’ jaw clips that can go even in young toddler’s hair to big clips that moms can use instead of wearing a pony. These are great to take whole sections of hair and keep it out of the way or to just clip back either side or both. The little minis are great even for moms just to pull back a narrow section on each side for a trendy, casual look.

Beyond the clips and barrettes there’s of course the headbands and elastics. I’m sure you already know what these are! One thing you may not know is that headbands are also great for those little babies with barely-there hair if you don’t want to go the clip route. You can get fabric or crocheted headbands with pretty flowers on them and they go around the head front-to-back rather than the usual way. You may especially want to try this if you’re tired of hearing “what a cute boy you have” over and over again! We’ve come a long way from when my mother would tape a bow on my bald head, not a pretty bow mind you, but one of those ones that you use on presents!

For the older girls headbands are meant to go on top of the head of course, and either end at the ears if it’s a hard plastic one, or go all the way around the head if it’s fabric. These are probably the easiest route for the older girl trying to grow out her bangs!

So there you have it. Now you’re all set to go shopping for the perfect girls hair accessories! Have fun!

There is a common myth about alligator and crocodile skin. Due to its strength, it is believed by some that crocodile and alligators are impervious to bullets due to their thick, bone-like scales and ultra-tough thick skin.

First, let’s talk about why this myth is so popular. Keep in mind that almost the entire body of a gator or crocodile is pure muscle under a thick, tough layer of rigid skin meant to keep them safe in their harsh environment. This thick skin is likely one of the reasons that crocodilians are one of the oldest types of animals alive on Earth today. They are natural predators with few to challenge them in – or near – water. Quick, agile, and very strong, when submerged they can sense movement of their kin and their prey and carry a strong instinct to snap their massive jaws shut around anything that crosses their path.

So, will a bullet stop an alligator or crocodile? Most definitely. If an alligator or crocodile is shot, they may survive a few bullets through this thick layer of skin, bony scales, and muscle, but a few well-placed shots to their vital areas with a higher-caliber gun will kill them immediately.

Can a properly tanned alligator or crocodile hide stop a bullet? Not a chance. Fashion for bullet-proof vests is still best invested in Kevlar and other stronger materials that can truly block bullets, but the myth of alligator or crocodile skin being bullet-proof is far from fact.

Also noted: When hunting or farming alligators and crocodiles, bullets are not the best way to obtain animal meat or skin since they will taint the quality – and guns are only used against these amazing creatures when they have threatened the lives of an unsuspecting person who has gotten too close.

So you’re out shopping for a new handbag or purse and you come across something with the unique, colorful appearance of alligator leather. But before you drop your hard-earned money on a new expensive handbag, you should first know how to tell if the alligator leather product you’re purchasing is real or fake.

Here are some tips to distinguish real alligator leather from fake alligator leather.

Appearance – Is the finish of the skin shiny or matte? While genuine alligator leather can be finished with a shine, almost all fake alligator leather will have an unnatural shine to it. Does the skin itself look natural? No high end material uses cheap cardboard or plastic backings, and likewise cheap facets. Closely examine the scales, if you recognize obvious patterns it’s likely not real. All natural hides will have a wild, natural pattern to them and often have slight imperfections. These natural imperfections are what make a genuine skin so lively! It’s the reason that pound for pound, a synthetic material can never match the appeal of genuine alligator.

The Smell Test – Smell is always a telltale sign of genuine alligator leather. You won’t know how to tell genuine leather from fake if you don’t know what real leather smells like. Give you leather a good whiff. Real alligator will have a “leathery” smell. Depending on the production, this smell will either have a fishy/swampy smell to it or the smell of mild pleasant smell of tanned leather. If you’re unsure, find a small place on the underside of the material and put a dab of water on it. Just a little will do it – let it sit for a few minutes and smell the wet spot. Does it have a natural odor to it?

Give it a feel – Run your hands across the surface and grab a portion of the material and pinch it in your fingers. Does it feel thin or artificial? If it does, it probably is thin or artificial. Genuine alligator should always feel dense and strong.

Do a label check – Most goods will have a label on them, especially if they’re genuine. All high-end brands will have a label on them. If you’re buying cheap goods from a department store or if the label doesn’t state it is real, it is likely fake. Check for all labels, tags, and print on the inside of the garment to see if it claims it is genuine.

If you’re still unsure– Find and ask an exotic leather professional. There are few left in the United States since most professional tanners and tanneries have moved overseas. However, alligator tanning is still a popular industry in the Southwest United States and among professional exotic leather sourcing specialists.