Why is one bag that is alligator so much more than yours and one is cheaper?

There is a great deal of confusion on this issue as the price and quality of alligator/crocodile items can vary widely, and we are going to try to help you figure this out.

We obtain our alligator mostly from Louisiana and the southern gulf coast regions from farms and through legally obtained alligators that are tagged and pulled off the land in September to help conservation. The value and quality of the leather can vary widely no matter where you get it from.


Faye Handbag in red glaze alligator

In general, American Alligator (which is used exclusively for all Alexandra Knight alligator products) skin is much nicer...with more symmetrical scale patterns, thicker and softer skin and with a smoother, three-dimensional feel than the typical crocodile skin. American Alligator skins typically command the highest prices and are the most sought after raw material of the most prestigious manufacturers of luxury items. While there is essentially only one species of alligator ( the "American Alligator" or " alligator mississippiensis"), there are a dozen species of crocodiles in varied shapes and sizes found all over the world. By far the most common is the Brown Caiman from Central and South America (widely used by some designer named Nancy). Most types of crocodile are either endangered or threatened, restricting commercial trade by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). The United States government recently initiated a crackdown on the illegal importation of protected species, and routinely confiscates goods shipped from suppliers overseas.


Example of Caiman


Example of American Alligator

We only use Grade 1 or 1/2 alligator as well. There are some designers that will use "genuine american alligator," and their prices are resonantly lower. This is typically because they are using a lower grade skin - meaning the condition of the skin is worse off with more imperfections, scratches and sometimes holes.

I have a genuine crocodile bag and paid a lot less? Yes, and these items are often made from caiman crocodile. While caiman skins can be of good quality, caiman skin is relatively thinner due to the less sophisticated tanning processes on finished products from South America. It is often dryer, stiffer and less durable than even the lesser quality alligator skins. For a buyer, it is unfortunate that this dryness cannot be seen in photos. Caiman can often be identified by small pits in their scales, which is far more common in caiman relative to other crocodiles, and is non-existent in genuine alligator.


bag by that designer named Nancy

In addition to the species of alligator/crocodile, the quality of the skin varies from animal to animal and from what part of the body the skin is sourced. For smooth-skinned items, the premium sections include the central belly and throat areas where the scales are the largest, the most symmetrical around the center-line of the belly: these scales are somewhat rectangular in shape. The sides can also be very good quality; skin from the sides has scales that are more rounded in shape and the skin is a bit thinner. We use only bellies in our bags and refuse to seam and "piece together" parts to save on cost.

The size of the animal is also important. This can offer a clue to distinguish alligator from caiman, since caiman skins usually come from smaller animals (3 to 5 feet in length; compared to 6 to 12 feet for the typical American alligator). With a smaller donor animal the pattern and size of the scales transitions rapidly over the small area of the wallet or purse, such that the shape of the crocodile's body/head/tail is clearly apparent; this can be a good thing depending on the application. Many of our customers remark on the large scales on our bags. We always endeavor to use single skins where we can, which requires the 'big-daddy' gators widely found in the swamplands of Louisiana and Florida.


Victoria clutch in red glaze alligator with red satin ribbon

Hope this little bon mot better explains why your dream bag may take a while to manufacture. Being a smaller company that produces one-of-a-kind, couture bags right here in the USA forces us to be very picky when choosing our skins. Not just any gator will do! You all demand the best and that's exactly what we pride ourselves on delivering.