Evaluation in the Raw State It is not possible to successfully grade ostrich skins in raw. Only when the skin is tanned to the crust stage, prior to color finishing, can all the damage to a particular skins can be apparent.. For example chick scars are rarely visible in the raw state. Given that the true value of a skin can only be assessed in the tanned state, an ostrich skin buyer runs a high risk. He can evaluate if there are any cuts, and by holding against the light, can assess whether any holes are immediately visible but this is only on a preliminary assessment. As a result of this risk, the price paid to a farmer on evaluation of a raw skin is much lower than if paid on evaluation of the skin in the tanned state. Ostrich skin buyers use their own grading systems. One such grading system is the following:-

1. Grade 1 (or Grade A) for a skin without any cuts, holes or marks in the diamond area.
   
   
2. Grade 2 (or Grade B) for a skin with cuts, holes or marks in one quarter of the diamond area.
   
   
3. Grade 3 (or Grade C) for a skin with cuts, holes or marks in two quarters of the diamond area.
   
   
4. Grade 4 (or Grade D) for a skin with cuts, holes or marks in three quarters of the diamond area.
   
   
5. Rejects. Damage in all quarters of the diamond area.