The Leather
Grading & Measuring
Quality isn't expensive. It's priceless.
Crocodile skin prices move with market demand, supply and exchange rates — based on two factors: grade and size. The better the grade and the larger the size, the more valuable the skin. Ricco supplies luxury brands, artisans and individual buyers with the finest skins at the best value.
Grading
Grade by defect quadrants
| Defect (quadrants) | Grade |
|---|---|
| 0 quadrant(s) | Grade 1 |
| 1 quadrant(s) | Grade 1/2 |
| 2 quadrant(s) | Grade 2/3 |
| 3 quadrant(s) | Grade 3/4 |
| 4 quadrant(s) | Grade 4/5 |
Measuring of skins
How is crocodile measured?
Crocodiles are measured in centimetres, by placing a ruler east–west across the belly. The skin must be flat; the measurement is taken edge to edge, excluding the outermost half-bone, with partial centimetres rounded down.
Ex: a skin measuring 46.5 cm is recorded as 46 cm.
Reference
Types of skin defects
Healed Scars
Old battle wounds and bite marks. Closed grain — may be acceptable in the cutting area depending on the project.
Open Scars / Cuts
Wounds that were fresh and unhealed. Open grain — typically cannot be included in the cutting area.
Holes
From scars or cuts that opened during tanning (drum rotation), or from poor skinning technique.
Parasites
Tiny round "bored" holes from leeches — found only on wild crocodiles; may be healed or open.
Wide Umbilical Scars
More prevalent in farm-raised animals, rare on wild crocodiles; causes are debated.
Wrinkling
Occurs in both farmed and wild skins — from raw-skin issues (rapid weight loss, diet) or tanning.
Grain Damage
From improper raw-skin preservation, or poor tanning causing overheating and burning of the skin.
Bones / Buttons
Osteoderms that form in the skin — found in the neck and upper belly of larger wild crocodiles, rare in farmed.
Contact
Need a specific grade or size?
Tell us your requirements — we will source the right skins for your project.