Beautiful mink is demure. It should have body in hand like better linens. Not mushy, not insignificant. When looking at the underside of natural mink, the hide should be creamy. Not too white, certainly not too gray.
Beautiful mink has character.
Natural mink has a depth of color and a range of hue. If natural, dark mink has a distinctive brown cast to it. Look at the piece flat. The brown should be evident. Not too red, not to gray, not too blue.