CLASSIC HIGH STRENGTH FROM OX

Horn buttons are made from the hollow upper part of ox horn. They are known for their rich, deep colour and have a beauty that is difficult to capture in an imitation. The finish can be anywhere from a rough, weathered look to a highly polished shine, but any good horn button has a radiance that no plastic copy can reproduce.

Pros: High strength, A natural, sustainable material

Cons: They generally come in natural horn‑tones (brown, tan, black) - white is bleached, Every button has a slightly different look

IRRIDESCENT FROM SHELLS

Mother of pearl buttons are made from the inner lining of mollusc shells, such as oysters and mussels. Nacre, a naturally occurring substance in molluscs and the raw material from which pearls are formed, is what gives the inner lining of these shells their beautiful, opalescent quality. Mother of pearl buttons come in a variety of sizes, with the larger buttons being highly prized as they are more fragile and difficult to obtain.

Pros: Dynamic depth of colour, Luxurious natural shine of the pearl

Cons: Can crack in dry cleaner

NATURAL GRAIN FROM A NUT

Corozo, also referred to as ‘vegetable ivory’, is made from the seeds of the Tagua palm tree that grows in the equatorial rainforest of Central America. The tree takes 15 years to mature, meaning the first seeds are only produced every 16 years. Buttons made from this fibre are relatively scratch and fade resistant as well as having a beautiful natural grain.

Pros: Scratch and high-temperature resistant, Natural ‘wooden’ grainlines

Cons: Surcharge

HIGHLY REALISTIC IN COLOR VARIETY

Galalith (Greek for “milk stone”) is a material made from milk protein and a gas called formaldehyde. It was first used for white boards, but the fashion industry adopted it because it’s inexpensive to make and easy to cut, drill, glue, emboss, and dye—perfect for large-scale production.It can be made to look very much like gemstones, ivory, or horn. When polished, the buttons have a rich, glossy, luxurious look.

Pros: Beautiful luxurious shine

Cons: Can crack in dry cleaner

DURABLE IN MANY COLORWAYS

Urea buttons are are made from a special plastic (urea‑formaldehyde resin). Originally, they were designed to mimic natural buttons made of horn or nut materials. Nowadays they come in many colors. Compared to many other button materials, they are highly resistant to weather, impact, chemicals and heat — and are well suited to mass production due to their reliable supply

Pros: Very strong and durable

Cons: Not entirely “natural” (since they are synthetic)