How to Tell If You Have Real Mink Stoles

In the past, mink stoles showed people you had money and were of great stature in society. Today, mink doesn’t carry that same stature symbol, but it does still carry a high preference when it comes to types of furs. Whether you have purchased a mink piece yourself or you have inherited the mink stoles of a family member, you may wonder how you can tell if the piece you receive is real mink or fake. There are several things you should check.

Feel the Fur

One of the first things you should do is to feel the mink stoles with your hands. Real mink fur is extremely soft to the touch. It doesn’t matter which way you run your hands through the fur, it should feel soft and silky. Fake fur tends to feel coarse when you rub against the grain. It is also important to check for two levels of fur in the stole: the longer guard hairs and the softer undercoat.

Check the Leather

Even if the mink stoles aren’t the same as the coats and other items made from fur, there will still be a layer of leather to which the fur is attached. This should be natural as well. If there is a lining that was used on the underside of the stole, check to ensure the stitching is solid and tight. No hair should be caught in the stitching either. Checking for these features won’t necessarily tell you much about the origin of the fur, but it will tell you that it was well made. In general fake furs aren’t as well made as their real counterparts.

Origins

This is one of the most difficult aspects to check unless you are buying mink stoles from a dealer or you are able to talk to the person who originally bought it. Most mink comes from China, North America and Europe. If it comes from anywhere else, it won’t be as high in quality and may not even be real at all. 

Pelt Label

In most cases, furriers will sew special pelt labels into mink stoles so any future owners can be assured of the purchase of a genuine fur that meets the standards for the North American Fur Association, American Legend mink cooperative and Saga Furs of Scandinavia. When you see a label that indicates the piece has met these high standards, you can be assured you have a genuine fur, as well as one that is of the highest quality possible.

It doesn’t matter if you have purchased mink stoles on your own or if you have inherited one from a relative, you should check into whether the fur is genuine and high quality, especially if you need to insure it under your homeowner’s policy. To determine if you are dealing with a real fur, feel the fur with your hands, check the leather and the stitching quality, ask about the origin of the fur and check for a label that indicates a quality pelt that meets only the highest standards. In the end, it is often best to get it appraised as well.