Leather Grading Guide
Understanding Our Goatskin Leather Quality Grades
All leather is a natural material. Each hide tells its own story through unique grain patterns, natural marks, scars, and color variations. These characteristics are not defects, they're proof of authenticity and add character to your finished projects.
At Cerrito Leathers, we carefully inspect and grade every hide to help you choose the right leather for your specific project needs.
Our Three Quality Grades Explained:
Standard Grade
Best for: Most leatherworking projects, practice pieces, rustic designs, tooling, and projects where natural character is desired.
What to expect:
- Quality full-grain goatskin ready for immediate use
- Natural marks, scars, and brand marks typical of real leather
- Some color variation across the hide
- Possible small holes, scratches, or insect bites
- Excellent value for money, authentic leather at an accessible price
- Usable area: typically 70-80% of total square footage
Standard Grade hides are perfect for leatherworkers who appreciate the natural beauty of leather and can work around imperfections. Many craftspeople prefer this grade for its character and authenticity.
Premium Grade
Best for: Bags, wallets, belts, garments, bookbinding, and projects where appearance matters but perfection isn't required.
What to expect:
- Carefully selected hides with fewer natural marks
- More consistent coloring across the hide
- Minimal scarring and brand marks
- Smaller or fewer natural imperfections
- Cleaner surface for dyeing and finishing
- Usable area: typically 80-85% of total square footage
Premium Grade offers the sweet spot between quality and value. These hides have been hand-selected for better consistency while maintaining the natural character that makes leather special.
Select Grade (Cerrito Select)
Best for: High-end garments, luxury bags, fine bookbinding, upholstery accents, and projects where visual perfection is critical.
What to expect:
- Hand-inspected premium hides with minimal natural characteristics
- Exceptional color consistency
- Very few visible marks or scars
- Smooth, even grain structure
- Maximum usable surface area
- Ideal for projects requiring large, clean sections
- Usable area: typically 85-95% of total square footage
Select Grade represents the top 10-15% of our inventory. These hides are reserved for craftspeople working on high-end projects where appearance is paramount.
Important Notes About Natural Leather
What Are "Natural Marks"?
Natural marks are evidence that leather comes from a real animal that lived a real life. These may include:
- Scars and scratches: From normal animal activity
- Brand marks: Identification marks from farms
- Insect bites: Small holes or marks from the animal's lifetime
- Grain variation: Different textures across different parts of the hide
- Color variation: Natural differences in pigmentation
- Wrinkles and creases: From areas of movement (neck, belly)
These are NOT defects. They are characteristics of genuine, full-grain leather. Synthetic materials are uniform; real leather is unique.
Why We Don't Offer "Perfect" Leather
There is no such thing as a perfect hide in nature. Any leather advertised as "flawless" has likely been:
- Heavily sanded (removing the valuable top grain)
- Embossed with artificial grain
- Heavily pigmented to hide imperfections
We sell full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather in its most natural state. This means you get the strongest, most durable leather with all its natural character intact.
How to Choose Your Grade
| Your Project | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|
| Learning/practice projects | Standard |
| Tooling and carving | Standard or Premium |
| Rustic/vintage style bags | Standard or Premium |
| Wallets and small goods | Premium |
| Bookbinding | Premium or Select |
| Garments (jackets, vests) | Premium or Select |
| Luxury handbags | Select |
| High-end upholstery | Select |
Our Grading Process
Every hide that arrives at Cerrito Leathers undergoes careful inspection:
- Initial Assessment: We examine the entire hide for size, thickness consistency, and overall quality
- Surface Inspection: We identify and note all natural marks, scars, and color variations
- Grade Assignment: Based on our criteria, each hide is assigned to Standard, Premium, or Select grade
- Quality Control: A second inspection verifies the grade assignment
Still Not Sure Which Grade to Choose?
When in doubt, start with Premium Grade. It offers excellent quality for most projects while keeping costs reasonable.
If you're working on your first major project or need guidance, contact us. We're happy to help you choose the right grade for your specific needs.
Our Quality Guarantee
We stand behind every hide we sell. If your leather doesn't meet the standards of the grade you ordered, contact us within 30 days for a replacement or refund. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.
Questions about grading? Email us at ilan@cerritoleathers.com or use our live chat.