Blonde? Platinum? Champagne? mink coat that I think is from the 60s(?)

[laurenm]

Hi all,
Would you call this Blonde, Champagne or Platinum or none of the above?
Also, I'm shakey on the date....thinking 60s but I get kinda lost in these coats.....I'd thought 80s but think the sleeves too short?
No Label.
Thanks for any assistance.
Lauren

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

It looks 60s to me...no date on the inside pocket? It was either custom made for someone with shorter arms or the style that was meant to be worn with a long leather glove. Hopefully, our fur expert will be able to help re the color.

 

[furwise]

Hi Lauren, I agree with 60s, later in the era.
I am not seeing enough lighting in your pictures to conclusively determine the actual color and my monitor may also display the color a little differently than it appears in person. It does come across on my monitor though as either Azurene which is a whiter colored fur with a subtle gray tone within the center of the pelts or Tourmaline which is more of a creamy color with a subtle gray tone within the center of the pelts. It also looks like it has also suffered from some oxidation which is yellowing that occurs over time due to exposure to artificial light.

 

[laurenm]

I took some photos outside....perhaps these will give you a more true color sense....I got some shots in direct sunlight and some less direct...

 

[furwise]

The color looks a bit different when direct sunlight hits it but this is expected with animal fur just like with human hair.

The color Tourmaline was just a trade name and the color varied quite a bit. No two minks were naturally exactly the same color but many were given the Tourmaline name or other trade names.

I think you are okay to call it Tourmaline mink but I think it's important to describe the color as you see it as well. Pale beige with a hint of grey in natural day light with a creamier appearance when hit with direct sunlight.

Just to show you the variation here are a two Tourmaline Mink ads from the 60s. They both look a bit different in color but are both presented as Tourmaline.

 

[laurenm]

Thanks alot Caryn....so are you still seeing artificial light damage?
lauren

 

[furwise]

I do still see it but it's slight. I can see a hint of it in the collar and in the sleeve. It is noted more in furs that are colored like this but at the same time it blends in more because of the natural color of the coat. At one time all of the fur was probably a bit more pale beige in color.

 

[laurenm]

Thanks again Caryn,
Does that affect anything other than color?
P,S, I like your "New Look".....

 

[furwise]

Thanks Lauren.

Oxidation itself will not affect anything but the color but sometimes the elements a fur is subjected to that causes oxidation can also cause other damage.
You can tell if a fur has other damage by running your fingers through the fur to feel for separations and you can check the cuff edges as well as the bottom edge to look for any areas of worn fur. You also can fold the coat to see if the skins are pliable. When in a fur salon sometimes furs are dropped intentionally on the floor so potential customers can see the flexibility in the skins as the fur falls on top of itself.