Each self-respecting belt consists of a metal part, usually called a buckle. This element serves to keep the two ends of the belts close and  firm, (Do you like belts? Read here!)

But when the buckle was born?

When the first buckle was born it is not really known, but the first belts saw the light during the Bronze Age, in the European geographical area.  

The belt was immediately used as an accessory that had to be worn according to the fashions of the moment, just for this was used by both men and women. Until today when the belt with the buckle is used not only for functionality but also to give a modern and original look.

Let’s look at some common types of buckles these days.

• The buckle is rounded. The rounded buckle or even ring, usually gives the outfits a casual look. These buckles are made in the shape of a circle or oval. The belts that have this element usually run right inside the ring and the closure is produced by the tension. 
• The cassette and plate buckle. As a rule, plaque buckles are carefully decorated with designs made by hand or by machine. The cassette buckles instead are characterized by a subspecies of small metal box, which allows you to fasten your belt without the aid of holes. 
• The rounded oval buckle. This type of belt buckle, gives the outfits a special and original touch. The belt closure works according to tension, so there is no need to use any holes.
• The rectangular buckle with rounded edges. Usually this particular shape can be found in the formal belts, used on ceremonial or office dresses. This does not prevent you to use it even on more casual outfits to make a refined and classy casual look. 

What materials are used to produce buckles?

The buckles can be made of different materials such as: copper, steel, aluminum, brass or silver. The material used produces satin or shiny buckles. 

Depending on the compounds used for the production of buckles, the latter will have different characteristics, both in terms of strength and durability. 

To assemble the buckle to the belt there are several techniques such as: by clamp, by sewing, by screw or stopper. 

The buckle element is then attached to the part of the belt through sewing techniques or with the use of a clamp. Otherwise the buckle can be secured to the belt with one or more screws.

In Florence Leather Market you can find many belts for both men and women, characterized by different types of buckles, to be worn with different outfits, from the most formal to the most casual and sporty, (take a look at this).

The dyeing of leather and tannery, represents an Italian excellence handed down over time as craftsmanship and subsequently refined as industrial production.

Materials Used

The dyeing of leathers involves the use of a wide range of colors that take the name of “lacquers” divided into natural dyes and artificial dyes. 

Inside the natural section there are a number of woods from trees that, when assembled with metal oxides, give shape to different shades of color. 

For example, the red-brown camping wood, if left to rest, takes on the shade of light yellow, while if assembled with a copper sulfate the tone it acquires takes on the traits of blue and purple. 

Among natural dyes there are elements extracted from plants which, combined with salts, give shape to different colors. Let’s take for example the sumac plant. 

This plant assembled with aluminum salt produces a lacquer with a bottle green tone, or with iron salt it creates a black lacquer and with lead salt the color that will come out will be hazelnut. The examples are as numerous as the elements used in dyeing.

Artificial or synthetic colorants have now almost completely replaced the use of natural colorants, for a factor of optimization of time and intensity of colors. They are divided into “acid dyes” and “basic dyes“.

Acids are used for production and chrome tanning, deriving from sodium chloride. Basics, on the other hand, are formed from simple salts and are used for vegetable tanning such as drum dyeing.

Processing

There are several processes to dye the leather and carry out tanning, about which you can read more: here. 

Among the most frequent operations used as leather coloring is the Dyeing in Bottle, which involves the immersion of the leather in a barrel of color, to make the leather acquire an aged and shiny tone. 

The brushing method is more challenging because it is done by hand, with longer processing times, where the dyer places the leather on a board, passing a brush over it absorbed with color.

Machine dyeing with color spray guns, involves a machine that rotates on itself spraying a dye on hides automatically. Industrial method used to amortize time.

How is Florence Leather Market different?

Florence Leather Market selects first of all the best materials available and opts for a handmade, artisan workmanship.

Where it is not possible for a question of time, it always tries to offer its customers comfort, durability and quality for its products. 

If you want to read more about Made in Italy and the company reality of Florence Leather Market, read here.

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The wallet is a very useful accessory, all have one of completely different shapes, colors and sizes. The choice of this accessory usually goes according to your needs and comfort, but also to your personal taste. Read more »