Natural Fur
The most popular natural furs used for
clothing include beaver, fox, mink, muskrat, and
raccoon. Chinchilla, mink, Persian lamb, and sable
are among the most fashionable and most expensive
furs.
Furs vary greatly in color,
texture, and value. Colors range from jet-black to
snow-white, with many shades of brown, blue, gray,
red-orange, and tan. Fur texture varies from the
velvety softness of beaver to the coarseness of
raccoon. Some furs, including beaver, mink and
nutria, are warmer and more durable than others. In
the late 1970's, the price of a fur pelt in the
United States ranged from 25 cents for a squirrel
skin to $800 for a top quality lynx skin.
Rodents provide more skins for
furs than any other group of animals. Beavers,
muskrats, and other rodents make up more man
three-fourths of the total wild fur catch in the
United States and Canada. The weasel family supplies
the greatest number of pelts from fur ranches.
Weasels include such valuable fur-bearing animals as
ermines, minks, and sables.
Artificial Fur
Consists of synthetic fibers that have
been processed to look like real fur. Artificial
furs become increasingly popular when the prices of
genuine fur rise. The most popular "fake furs" are
imitation lamb, mink, muskrat, and seal.
Manufacturers make artificial furs by weaving and
knitting synthetic fibers into pile fabrics.
Pile consist of soft, clipped fiber ends,
Manufacturers treat the pile to make it look like
real fur. Natural fur fibers are sometimes woven
into the pile to make it feel more like genuine fur.
