Ringed Seal - Red KH - D

Important information about sealskin and qualities:
Sealskins are graded into qualities A, B, C, D, E & rejected skins. “A” skin = top quality (very rare). “E” quality = skin with many flaws. NOTE: All our product photos of sealskin on this webshop are taken from C or B skins. Colour tones vary from skin to skin. Sizes vary from skin to skin. It is NOT the skin you see in the product photo that you are buying. Do you have specific requests for a skin? – then simply write it in the comments on your order, and we will do our best to find a suitable skin – but we offer no guarantees on requests.

Quality descriptions: A, B, C, D, E and rejected. A-grade skins have a maximum of two flaws. B-grade skins can have up to eight flaws. C-grade skins can have several flaws, as well as one or two larger flaws. D-grade skins can have areas completely without hair or hard leather. E and rejected skins are typically very damaged skins and with discolourations, which can only be used for the production of very small items, after which the rest of the skin is completely discarded. In Great Greenland’s own production of finished goods, we primarily work with C and D qualities.

Seals live in the wild, which is why “damage” often occurs from nature, reducing the skin quality. However, this is also what makes each individual sealskin completely unique! The quality indicators therefore tell us something about the general condition of the skin. How perfect, or imperfect the skin is. Read more about sealskin here:

Coloured sealskin: At Great Greenland, we primarily sell natural skins, but we also dye many skins in popular and fashionable colours. Dyeing only comes into question if the natural skin is severely discoloured. Dyeing thus saves the skin from being discarded, so we ensure sustainable production. A beautiful natural skin will never be dyed if there is no need for it.

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 regarding sealskin. Only Inuit-caught sealskins are approved for sale, production, and import into the EU. See more here on
the EU’s official website:

Ringed Seals:
The ringed seal is also known as netside, and it is probably the seal most people associate with Greenland. Its distinctive markings along its back have been seen on Inuit traditional clothing for hundreds of years, and today the skin is still used for both clothing and interior decor.

Naturally, the ringed seal is light grey but has strong dark ring markings along its back, which can vary from light grey, dark brown, to almost black. The appearance of the skin varies greatly but is always decorative. Ringed seals are available in both long-haired (LH) and short-haired (KH). The long-haired has a more furry appearance, while the short-haired is flatter. The short-haired ringed seal is also significantly larger than the long-haired.

Decorative or handicraft skins? Sealskins are extremely decorative. They can be used as, among other things, rugs, cushions in chairs or sofas. Only imagination sets the limits. Sealskin behaves like other leather goods in terms of wear and maintenance. A wonderful material for handicrafts.