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It can be difficult to tell if a leather product is genuine just by looking at it, and the price difference between genuine and synthetic leather can be significant.

ISOLÉ explains everything from the basic differences between genuine and synthetic leather to methods of discernment used by professionals, such as visual, tactile, and olfactory assessment, as well as practical identification techniques like the water drop test and magnifying glass observation.

By understanding the true nature of materials, you can gain the ability to choose a satisfying item that you can cherish for a long time.

4. Anyone Can Do It! How to Distinguish Between Genuine Leather and Faux Leather Using Tools

• Full-grain leather (vegetable-tanned): Water absorption rate 35-45%, darkening observed. Moisture penetrates uniformly into the fiber layer.
• Split leather (with surface coating): Water absorption rate 10-20%, temporary retention on the surface is observed, with only partial darkening.
• PU leather/PVC (synthetic leather): Water absorption rate 0%, completely water repellent. Water drops roll on the surface in a spherical shape.
  

If the water absorption rate is 30% or more and the color change appears as a natural gradation, it is highly likely to be genuine leather. Especially for aniline-dyed full-grain leather, unevenness in some areas can be a sign of authenticity.

Magnified Observation of Pores and Grains (Loupe Verification):
When observing the surface of leather with a 10x loupe or a smartphone's macro lens, genuine leather will show an irregular arrangement of pores and grains with varying sizes and depths. Natural shading and small irregularities can also be seen around the pores. Synthetic leather, on the other hand, exhibits a regular, repeating pattern with symmetrical designs and linear structures. What may look like pores lacks irregularities and is merely a print or embossing. The difference in texture becomes even clearer when viewed from different angles under natural light.

まとめ：“見た目”より“質”で選ぶ

バッグ選びにおいて、見た目の美しさだけではなく「素材の本質を見極める力」が重要です。価格だけで判断せず、素材の特性を理解することで、長く使えるお気に入りのバッグに出会う確率は確実に上がります。

At ISOLÉ, we value the balance of leather quality, production background, and design, delivering bags that combine usability and beauty to accompany your daily life. We hope to help you find the perfect item by guiding you to pay a little more attention to how materials are chosen.