Marten belong to the weasel family, along with mink and sable. They are present from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, west to Alaska, and south into sections of the Rocky Mountain range and California. The fur is long and shiny. The legs and tail are very dark brown or black, the throat has a cream colored patch, and the back is light brown, often with darker shading on the spine. What is often called “Canadian Sable” are actually American marten, the name change is an attempt to try to associate them more closely to their relative the Russian sable (Martes zibellina). (Ironically, what is called Russian marten are, in fact, sable.) The types of marten are:
American marten (Martes americana): American marten have very long guard hairs and dense, fine underfur. The color ranges from blue brown to dark brown. It may also be pale brown or yellow with orange tones. The skins are worked many ways, including let out, and guard hairs may be plucked. American marten are the least expensive marten, since they are not as soft or fine as the other marten.
Baum marten (Martes martes): Baum marten are native to Europe, Asia Minor, and the Himalayas. They are naturally brown in color and may be dyed to resemble sable. As with all martens, they may be let out or used in various patterns for coats or be used for whole-skin scarves and "little" furs.
Stone marten (Martes foina): Stone marten come from approximately the same places as baum marten, although not as far north. The fur is similar but it is much finer than baum marten. The best stone marten have a bluish cast to the fur; the underfur is whitish. Many consider stone marten to be only a step or two below sable in quality.
American Marten
Stone Marten are larger and more plush than American Marten.
They usually have all four feet.
Custom Zibellini made with a Stone Marten pelt are $150 + $15 s&p
American Marten are larger than Mink and they usually have all four feet.
Custom Zibellini made with an American Marten pelt are $125 + $15 s&p
Brown Stone Marten
Blonde Stone Marten
