The definition of “the highest quality button” can vary from person to person, depending on taste, garment type and personal style. However, when evaluating buttons by luxury, natural beauty and prestige, the fashion industry generally agrees on a few top contenders.

At Polkom, after decades of experience in button manufacturing, our vote for the most luxurious button goes to:

1. Mother of Pearl Buttons (Shell Buttons)

Mother of Pearl buttons—also known as shell buttons—are widely considered the most beautiful buttons in the world. Their natural shine, iridescence and elegant depth make them the number one choice for high-end shirts and luxury garments.

These buttons are made from the inner shell of oysters or pearls and offer:

– Natural shimmering reflection
– Premium elegance
– High durability
– Deep, unique patterns
– 100% natural and biodegradable structure

Mother of Pearl buttons are the undisputed leader for premium shirts, especially in luxury menswear.

2. Horn Buttons

When it comes to suits, tailoring and classic menswear, horn buttons are the strongest competitor against Mother of Pearl. They are made from buffalo, cow or ox horn—natural by-products of the meat industry—and are considered highly prestigious.

Horn buttons offer:

– Exceptional durability
– Deep, natural color variations
– Premium tactile feel
– Rich dark tones (black, brown, mixed patterns)
– Absolute elegance for tailored jackets and coats

For suits and blazers, horn buttons are often the ideal and most luxurious choice.

3. Bone Buttons

Bone buttons are another natural, premium option that sits comfortably in the luxury category. Made from polished animal bone, they offer a clean, refined and slightly matte finish.

Typical features include:

– Naturally white or ivory color
– Partially dyeable
– Finish can be enhanced with spray or polishing
– Ideal for sports jackets, casual blazers and heritage-style garments

Bone buttons are elegant, durable and distinctly natural.

4. Urea Buttons

Although not fully natural like the others, urea buttons are considered semi-natural luxury buttons. They are made from urea resin—which is highly heat-resistant—and were originally created as a premium alternative to polyester.

Characteristics include:

– Strong and heat-resistant
– Available in any color
– Durable and washable
– More affordable compared to shell, horn and bone
– Lightweight and versatile

Their flexibility in color and premium appearance make urea buttons popular in high-quality garments.

So, Which Buttons Are the Highest Quality?

Based on natural origin, luxury perception, durability and fashion industry usage, the ranking is generally:

1. Mother of Pearl Buttons (Shell Buttons)

2. Horn Buttons

3. Bone Buttons

4. Urea Buttons

Each material has its own strengths depending on the garment:

– For luxury shirts: Mother of Pearl is the unmatched winner.
– For suits and tailored jackets: Horn buttons are the best choice.
– For sports jackets: Bone buttons offer a refined classic look.
– For versatile fashion garments: Urea buttons provide an elegant but more affordable option.

Polkom Produces All These Luxury Button Types

With decades of manufacturing experience, Polkom proudly produces:

✓ Mother of Pearl (Shell Buttons)
✓ Real Horn Buttons
✓ Bone Buttons
✓ Urea Buttons

Our materials are 100% natural (except urea), Oeko-Tex certified, and made to European quality standards with exceptional craftsmanship.

Whether your collection demands ultimate luxury or elegant affordability, Polkom offers every premium button type under one roof.

Faux horn buttons—also known as imitation horn buttons—are stylish, durable and cost-effective button alternatives created to replicate the natural beauty of real horn buttons. While genuine horn buttons are made from animal horn and are considered luxurious, they are also rare and expensive. Faux horn buttons were developed as a practical solution to provide the same elegant look at a more accessible price and with greater production flexibility.

How Faux Horn Buttons Are Made

Faux horn buttons are made from high-quality polyester resin, a durable synthetic material widely used in premium button manufacturing. The production process involves a specialized polyester casting technique:

1. Polyester resin is melted and mixed with pigments and special additives.

2. The resin is then poured into aluminum molds (rods) that are designed to mimic the swirling grain patterns found in real horn.

3. After cooling and hardening, the molded polyester rods are cut into discs suitable for button shaping.

4. These discs are processed on button-turning machines, where the final shape, edges and button holes are formed.

5. The finished buttons are polished to achieve the natural shine characteristic of horn.

This meticulous process creates buttons that look remarkably similar to genuine horn, including the subtle streaks, highlights and natural color variations.

Sizes and Customization

Faux horn buttons can be manufactured in a wide size range, typically from:

10 mm to 40 mm

This makes them suitable for shirts, jackets, suits, coats, knitwear, accessories and many other fashion garments.

Although traditionally produced in dark horn-like shades (black, brown, tortoiseshell patterns), faux horn can be dyed in any color, providing far more design flexibility than natural horn.

Customization options include:

– 2-hole, 4-hole or shank construction
– Engraved or laser-marked logos
– Matte or glossy finishes
– Thick or thin profiles
– Custom patterns and shapes

Faux Horn vs. Real Horn: What’s the Difference?

Real Horn Buttons

– Made from 100% natural animal horn
– Unique organic grain patterns
– Premium and eco-friendly natural material
– More expensive
– Limited color range (mostly natural brown/black tones)

Faux Horn Buttons

– Made from polyester resin
– Designed to imitate the look of natural horn
– More affordable and widely available
– Can be produced in any color
– More resistant to cracking, washing and mechanical stress
– Suitable for high-volume production

While real horn offers natural exclusivity, faux horn provides an excellent balance of cost, durability and aesthetic appeal.

Why Fashion Brands Choose Faux Horn Buttons

Faux horn buttons have become a preferred choice in the fashion industry because they provide:

– A realistic horn appearance at a lower cost
– High durability and wash resistance
– Wide color and size options
– Perfect consistency for mass production
– Excellent customization possibilities
– Ethical manufacturing with no animal-derived materials

This makes them ideal not only for everyday garments but also for tailoring, outerwear, luxury fashion and modern menswear.

Conclusion

Faux horn buttons are an innovative and practical alternative to real horn. Produced from polyester resin and available in sizes from 10 mm to 40 mm, they offer the beauty of natural horn with enhanced durability, affordability and limitless customization options. For brands seeking premium aesthetics without the limitations of natural materials, faux horn buttons are a perfect choice.