Natural leather is an organic material that evolves over time, the characteristics of the environment and use. Even the friction of your fingers or the way you place your credit cards inside your wallet adds to the unique character and patina.
Leather is a natural product, and it ages. It also absorbs the traces of life around it: the natural oils your hands produce, water, humidity in the environment, dust from the surroundings, sunlight and even the heat of our bodies, natural leather nourishes itself from everything to give it a unique look. Over time, it develops a glow in some places, while some spots may see a relative darkening.
But leather is not the only one that develops a patina. Wood, waxed canvas, metals such as brass or copper, and even stone can also develop a characteristic luster through use and exposure.
In wood it can be more evident; in a wooden chair, the area where we rest our arms develops a patina thanks to the oils of the hands and the friction of these. In the waxed canvas and other waxed fabrics such as Barbour jackets, a similar aspect appears due to exposure to the sun, rain and friction.
If we think about the second materials such as copper or stone it may not be so evident. But if we look at the typical statues built in copper we see how they have developed a patina over time. Copper usually develops a beautiful greenish color that varies in tonality due to different factors of exposure to the elements and oxidation in general. In stones, for example, it is enough to contrast the facade of an old construction and that of a new stone building. Older stone tends to have a darker shade and more worn surface due to continuous exposure to the weather and sun.
The simplest way to develop a patina on leather is through use. Using your leather wallet or accessory is the easiest way to leave your mark on it. It's a nice long term process that will show up over time.
Main factors that influence the development of patina on leather
Several factors contribute to how the patina develops over time. But the main ones are:
- The oils in your hands
- Dust from the environment
- Moisture in the air
- The indigo dye in your jeans
- Sunlight
- Scratches and scrapes
The way you handle your leather item as well as the amount of use will affect the nature and degree of patina that will develop. The more you use your leather goods as well as the way you use them will affect the nature and degree of patina that will develop. If you use the product naturally, in the usual way with the usual standard of care for natural leather, an elegant patina is likely to appear gradually.
And don't forget that the natural scratches and scuffs that accumulate on the surface of the leather are also an integral part of the patina.
However, if you are one of those people who carefully clean their leather accessories after each use, the patina will appear more gradually and take much longer to establish itself.
Relax and embrace the way you enjoy your leather goods; the patina on your leather item will be the result of each and every moment spent with your accessory. The less you worry about the pristine condition of the leather, the more worn and beautiful the result will be.
Happy Patina :)