Top-Grain: The top, outermost, strongest, most durable part of the hide. Very durable because there are no consistent fiber patterns along which the hide can tear. The natural fibers run in all directions, a property of very strong materials. This is all we recommend at OaKPlus Furniture  Full grain leather is always top grain.

Split-Grain: The lower layer of the hide, cut away when getting to the top-grain. Much less strength and overall durability because the fibers in split-grain leather run in one direction allowing a crack or tear to possibly form. Ages differently and can be very noticeable when pieced with top-grain leather on the same piece of furniture. Be careful when shopping for leather furniture because split-grain is technically still "all-leather" or "genuine", but definitely not the quality of top-grain.

Aniline Dyed: Leather that has been dyed with aniline, a clear dye which permeates the entire hide. There is no pigment (paint) or finish put on pure aniline dyed leather to correct imperfections. That is why only the finest leathers can be used since they have to be in excellent shape. Pure aniline dyed leathers are known for their soft, natural feel as well as their beauty since they have no corrective finish. They are sometimes referred to as "naked" leather. This represents about five percent of all leather in the U.S. Aniline dyes offer little resistance to soil, stains, or sunlight.

Semi-Aniline (aka: Aniline Plus): A secondary process to aniline that provides stain protection, color consistency, and overall lower maintenance. Semi-aniline hides are leathers that have been dyed with aniline, the clear color dye described above. Then either a transparent or slightly pigmented finish is applied to improve resistance to wear and light.  There are semi-aniline hides that are very soft.

Corrected: To buff or sand to remove imperfections in the grain.  Corrected leathers, by their very nature, can not be full grain because the outer surface has been altered.  But if it was the outer layer of the hide that was sanded, these can still be top-grain leathers (and obviously, a sanded lower layer would be a corrected split grain leather).

Tanning: The process used to preserve hides. These are pigmented with chromium salts, which change the hide's chemical structure, preserving it for a lifetime.

Vinyl: A synthetic material, occasionally used in furniture. Does not breathe, making a very uncomfortable seating surface. Reflects heat onto whatever is near it (in this case, a person trying to relax and get comfortable).   If you think leather is "hot in the summer,and cold in the winter"...   you are thinking of vinyl.  Leather will be at whatever temperature your room is, and not 1 degree different.  It breathes and adjusts.

Suede: Process of raising fibers on the hide to give velvet nap effect by buffing. Suede's are almost always full aniline.

Embossed: To form a natural-looking leather pattern by using a pressure plate.  Most very protected leathers are corrected grain leathers: they are sanded and/or buffed, then may be embossed to replace the lost pattern seen in natural leather.

Sauvage: a process creating a beautiful, marbled appearance to the leather.

Pull Up:  leather that has been injected with oils and/or coated in waxes.  Scratch them and the mark is there, until rubbed away.   Made for luxurious softness or waxy appearance.

Distressed, Aged or Antiqued hides:  The "bomber-jacket" or aged look is achieved by applying a wax to the surface of the leather and them tumbling the hides.  The tumbling causes the wax to "break" at the creases, resulting in the worn and wrinkled look.

Antiquing: A method of aging the appearance of a hide. Usually done by hand, this technique is best suited for grain hides.

Buffing: The mechanical process which removes scars and scratches from hides.

Cowhide: In upholstery terms, the entire hide of a bovine - which averages 45-55 square feet.

Drum Dyeing: Also known as vat dyeing. This process assures full dye penetration; the hides are immersed in dye and tumbled in a steel drum.

Fat Wrinkles: Marks or wrinkles in the leather grain caused by natural fat deposits. These "beauty marks" are not visible in corrected grain leather.

Finishing: Any treatment or process performed after tanning. Includes antiquing, dyeing, embossing, glazing, lacquering and pigmenting.

Hand: An industry term for the feel of leather. For example, "The hand of this aniline dyed leather is excellent, very soft."

Kela: The mechanical process that adds a sauvage-look to hides. This is an additional step in the finishing stage, in which a relief roller creates a mottled look and increases the finish's visual character.

Milling: The process of massaging the hides to ensure softness. After hides have been tanned and finished, they are tumbled for several hours.

Patina: The luster or shine that develops on leather surfaces with time and use.

Pigmenting: Coloring and coating the leather surface to cover imperfections and produce hides that are wear- and fade-resistant.

Premium Select: The finest leather hides available, exhibiting few imperfections. Only 5 percent of all hides are premium select quality.

Tanning: The chemical and mechanical processes used to treat hides and eliminate perishability.

Tumbling: The mechanical process that softens the texture and enhances the grain of the hides. Hides are tumbled in a rotating steel drum for several hours.