About the product
Seal skins are graded into the following qualities: A, B, C, D, E and rejected skins. ‘A’ skins = top quality (very rare). ‘E’ quality = skins with many flaws. Please note: All our product photos of sealskins here in the online shop are of C or B grade skins. Colour tones vary from skin to skin. Sizes vary from skin to skin. The skin you see in the product photo is NOT the one you will be purchasing. Do you have any specific requests regarding a skin? – simply note this in the comments section of your order, and we’ll do our best to find a skin that suits your requirements – but we cannot guarantee that we’ll be able to fulfil your requests.
Quality descriptions: A, B, C, D, E and rejected. A-grade hides have a maximum of two flaws. B-grade hides may have up to eight flaws. C-grade hides may have several flaws, as well as one or two larger flaws. D-grade hides may have areas completely devoid of hair or with hard leather. E-grade and rejected hides are typically heavily damaged and discoloured, and can only be used for the production of very small items, after which the rest of the hide is discarded entirely. In Great Greenland’s own production of finished goods, we work primarily with C and D grades.
Seals live in the wild, so ‘damage’ often occurs naturally, which affects the quality of the hide. However, this is also what makes every single seal hide completely unique! The quality classifications therefore provide an indication of the hide’s general condition. How perfect – or imperfect – the skin is. Read more about sealskins here:
Dyed sealskin: At Great Greenland, we primarily sell natural skins, but we also dye many skins in popular and fashionable colours. Dyeing is only considered if the natural skin is severely discoloured. Dyeing thus saves the skin from being discarded, ensuring sustainable production. A beautiful natural skin will never be dyed unless it is necessary.
All sealskins processed by Great Greenland are caught by Greenlandic Inuit hunters along the Greenlandic coast. All skins are tanned at Great Greenland’s tannery in South Greenland. All sealskins comply with EU legislation on sealskins. Only sealskins caught by Inuit hunters are approved for sale, production and import into the EU. Find out more here on
the EU’s official website:
Ringed seals:
The ringed seal is also known as the ‘netside’, and it is probably the seal most people associate with Greenland. Its distinctive markings running down its back have featured on Inuit clothing for hundreds of years, and today the skin is still used for both clothing and interior design.
The ringed seal is naturally light grey, but has distinct dark ring markings along its back, which can vary from light grey and dark brown to almost black. The appearance of the hide varies greatly, but is always decorative. Ringed seals are available in both long-haired (LH) and short-haired (KH) varieties. The long-haired variety has a more shaggy appearance, whilst the short-haired variety is flatter. The short-haired ringed seal is also considerably larger than the long-haired variety.
Decorative or craft hides? Seal skins are extremely decorative. They can be used, for example, as rugs or as cushions for chairs or sofas. The only limit is your imagination. Seal skins behave like other leather goods in terms of wear and maintenance. A lovely material for handicrafts.
Please note: All product photos of our skins here in the online shop are taken from B & C Skins’ ranges. The sealskins are all unique and may therefore vary in both size and colour shades within the same quality group.







