Leather is commonly categorized into varying grades that are used to signify levels of quality. These categories are confusing for consumers and many experts insist that they should be taken with a grain of salt given how widely standards and production methods vary. Nevertheless, the four most common leather grades you will probably encounter are full-grain, top-grain, genuine, and bonded. Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality, made from pure animal hide, known for its durability and marked by desirable natural imperfections in the grain. Top-grain leather is made from full-grain leather that is split and stamped with a faux grain pattern and is used in many “fine” leather goods such as handbags and wallets. Genuine leather is considered a low-quality leather product that is heavily processed, less durable, and cheaper than full- or top-grain leather. Bonded leather is a leather product made from leather scraps, glue, plastic, and other materials that are bonded together and sealed. It's also considered the least durable, lowest quality form of leather.