Your phone matters to you and as such, it is only natural to want to extend its lifespan as much as possible. Silicon phone cases are a dime a dozen, custom made to fit most conventional phone designs. A phone case might as well be an extension of your sense of style. While a silicon case serves its intended purpose, why not up the ante with an exotic skin phone case?
Moving from silicon to exotic skin phone cases may sound easy. However, selecting the skin that fits your needs can be tough. Factors such as durability, aesthetic, affordability will come into play anytime you want to pick an exotic skin as a phone case.
Leading Exotic Skins for Phone Cases
Small Alligator Skin
Alligator skin is a highly valued exotic leather. Little bone tends to make skin less rigid, a desirable quality for any leather craftsman. Given the design of a standard phone case, alligator skin's flexibility makes it easy to work.
Your phone is constantly either in your hands or your pocket. A smooth glide to and from either place is a surprisingly satisfying experience. Alligator skin has small flat scales that have little to no friction against normal cloth fabric. The skin has unique, visually stunning scales that can be worked to give distinct patterns on the phone case.
Depending on your aesthetic and cost preferences, skins from 15-34 cm work best for phone cases. That range may seem modest, but it works to the craftsman's advantage. Having a limited area to work with heightens attention to detail. Alligator skin costs a substantial amount of money, but the cost does little to reduce demand for this ultra-luxury material.
Polished Stingray Skin
A polished stingray skin is stunning. The bony remnants of the dorsal fin form a cluster of pearl-like beads in a striking diamond pattern. Plus, these skins are incredibly durable and water-resistant because of the aquatic nature of the stingray and the calcium in the beaded skin.
Using the smallest stingray skin is the most ideal to highlight the diamond-shaped markings. 5-7" skins would work but 9-11" skins are also commonly used because they are more readily available.
The polished stingray skin comes in a wide range of colors. They are buffed smooth and lacquered. These processes make the skin finer looking, softer and more flexible. On the other hand, buffing makes the diamond and the color less pronounced.
Lizard Skin
There are many types of lizard species—which gives you a variety of skins with which to work. Lizard skin is one of the easiest skins to manipulate because they are thinner than other exotic skins. Additionally, their minimal calcium content makes them flexible and easy to reshape. The rectangular shape and even scale pattern maximize usability.
Since lizard skins are often stocked in a variety of colors, they are an ideal raw material for dazzling phone cases. Specifically, the ring lizard skin features distinct round marks; while its other widely used counterpart, the Teju lizard, has a rectangular, more striped appearance. Grade 2 lizard skin, the best grade to use for phone cases, is currently one of the most affordable exotic leathers in demand.
Ostrich Leg Skin
Ostrich leg skin is tender and flexible and produces clean finishes. The size and natural appearance of wide center scales make the perfect phone case, with minimal waste.
Compared to the alligator skin and stingray skin, ostrich leg skin is more affordable, making it great for phone case designers on a budget.
Eel Skin
Eel skin is a surprise entry into the best exotic skins for phone cases. However, eel skin is a top notch choice for leather work. It is exceptionally thin, eliminating the need to skive the skin to get best results.
Even without skiving, it bends into shape almost flawlessly around the edges of your smartphone. Unlike other exotic skins on this list, eel skin does not have prominent markings. Instead, it has lateral lines against a plain background, giving the skin a simple elegance.
If you are looking for an extra edge for a phone case, eel skin combines softness, elegance, and natural minimalism.
Exotic skins make exquisite merchandise. If you are going to capitalize on their uniqueness to acquire a luxurious phone case, any of the above mentioned skin should provide what you are looking for.