Real horn buttons are made from actual animal horn, typically from cattle (water buffalo or ox horn being most common), though they can also be made from sheep, goat, or other animal horns. They're considered a premium natural material in garment making and have been used for centuries. As genuine horns are sourced ethically, they are rare to get. This results in them being relatively expensive compared to other buttons. Therefore, the imitation horn buttons have been introduced as an alternative. They are usually made of synthetic plastic material like acrylic and resin to imitate the texture and appearance of real horn buttons. Although fake ones can look surprisingly good in photos, the difference becomes obvious when you touch, smell, and examine them closely.
Detailed Comparison
Material and Texture
Genuine horn buttons are made from ox horns, resulting in a natural and irregular texture. Each button has different patterns and color shades, and may have minor cracks or growth marks. Imitation horn buttons are made of synthetic materials like ABS, resin, acrylic, with textures that are mostly printed or molded, repeating and uniform, with a glossy surface free of natural flaws.
Weight and Feel
Genuine horn buttons have a high density, giving them a tough feel in the hand, and a warm touch. Imitation horn buttons are lighter, feeling harder or brittle, and may feel cold in the few seconds you hold them especially in low temperatures.
Durability and Aging
Genuine horn buttons are resilient and not easily deformed or broken, with smooth, rounded edges after polishing. They would usually develop a beautiful patina over time. Imitation horn buttons are often overly glossy from the start, and may become yellow or crack with long-term use.
Cost and Price
Genuine horn buttons are more expensive to produce. Because raw horns are rare and sometimes need to import (mostly from India, Vietnam, South America). And each piece is cut, shaped, and polished by manual work or semi-manual work. Yield is low because of natural imperfections. Imitate horn buttons are much cheaper with the work done by machine as common buttons. If you find the "real horn" buttons at the same price as plastic ones, they are almost certainly fake.
Customization
The real horn buttons show the real color as natural horn like beige, brown and black, and they are seldom dyed because that will ruin the nature of keratin. The imitate horn buttons offer more possibilities in custom made colors to match with the fabric because they could be painted and printed.
Why Choose Real Horn Buttons?
It's easy to see from the above that genuine horn buttons are more expensive than fake horn buttons, so why do we still recommend genuine horn buttons? Especially for high end clothing lines like premium overcoats and suits?
Because it's worth it! Real horn buttons offer:
Unmatched natural beauty and individuality
Ages gracefully and develops personal character
Eco-friendly to the globe (by-product of the meat industry, biodegradable to the nature ultimately)
Signals of true luxury-used by brands like Prada, Burberry, Marco' Polo, Brunello Cucinelli, Kiton, etc.
How to Identify Quickly?
1. Look → Real horn button has a unique pattern with gradual color shifts and slight cracks or flaws. You can never find two authentic horn buttons are exactly the same.
2. Touch → Real horn buttons will let you feel warm immediately with an organic feeling rather than a plastic feel for imitation horn button.
3. Listen→ Drop a button on a hard surface, real horn button makes a solid, dull "clack" (like wood or bone) sound. Fake horn button makes a lighter, crispy plastic "tick".
4. Smell → When rubbed vigorously or lightly heated, gives off a faint smell of burnt hair or bone (keratin smell). Imitation horn button smells like chemical plastic or nothing at all when rubbed.
5. Burn (the most reliable) →Carefully touch the back with a hot needle, it smells like burning hair and leaves a brownish mark for genuine horn buttons. While hot needle test produces a sharp chemical/plastic odor and the material melts into a shiny bead on imitation horn button.
6. Weigh→ For same size button, real one will be heavier than fake one.
As a button manufacturer, we are proud of use only authentic, ethically sourced, 100% real horn buttons in our collections and offer a great many options for tailored to match needs! You can also get more information on this page for our Real Horn Buttons . Or Contact Us Now to see more models and ask for samples!
