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Thursday, 08 January 2009
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Mink Print E-mail
Written by Pauline Cameron/alonesolo & Katie Kemsley/in-like-flynn!   
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Mink Stole courtesy in-like-flynn!
There are two types of mink - wild and ranched. Wild is naturally dark in color whereas ranched is dyed in various shades. The fur is short napped, thick, glossy and hard wearing. The mink is a semi aquatic Weasel indigenous to North America, Siberia, China and Japan. Mink was not trapped in any quantity until the 19th century and did not become fashionable until the mid 20th century.

 

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Mink Paws Coat - labeled Ben Kahn for Cartier courtesy in-like-flynn!
Unless sheared, mink is a dense and lightweight fur with lustrous guard hairs and lush, soft under fur. Dark mink is the most recognizable even though, as early as 1930, breeders developed types such as clear light blue 'Sapphire', 'Silverblue' and white.

 

Female mink pelts are generally smaller, softer, silkier, lighter in weight, and have a higher luster than male mink pelts, however a female mink pelt is not necessarily better than a male mink pelt.

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Mink Collared Coat courtesy vintageclothesline

 

Better pelts are found using the touch test - look for silky guard hairs (longer hairs on top) and even-textured under fur (the thicker, shorter fur underneath the guard hairs.)

 

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Possibly a Jasmine mutation mink The pelt is natural, un-dyed, and consists of white hairs with brown and black guard hairs. Courtesy Bret Fowler Main Off 5th
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Jasmine Mutation Mink Detail courtesy Bret Fowler Main off 5th
 

 

 

 

Fur Your Information!

Mink farming began in Canada and the United States in 1910. By 1950 the Scandinavians surpassed the US and Canada as the most prolific fur farmers. The mink coat, as we know it, was a 20th-century innovation. Previously, mink was used only as lining, or for trimming collars, hats and muffs.