Fur coats are by no means all the same — they come in a lot of different styles, shapes, sizes and colors. Figuring out if you like a cut and color is easy enough — you just have to look at it. However, sometimes it's not too easy to tell what kind of fur it is just by looking at, or even feeling it. Below is a list of some of the different kinds of fur and what they're usually used for.

Chinchilla: Chinchilla fur is the softest fur in the world, and is used for both fur coats and accessories. Most people enjoy chinchilla fur hats, gloves and muff because of its cushiness and luster. Chinchilla fur ranges from a grayish-black to a slate-blue in color, and for one reason or the other, has always been a mark of higher status than most other furs.

Coyote: Coyote is a coarser type of fur, used mostly in men's fur coats for its durability. Those who go with coyote fur typically do so because of its density and subsequent ability to provide great warmth.

Fox: Apart from mink, fox fur coats come in the widest variety of natural colors: silver, crystal blue, red, gray and white. Fox fur is often used on collars and cuffs, as well as for wraps and stoles.

Lamb: Lamb fur is probably the most widely-used, versatile of the furs. It's used for everything from fur coats to socks to sweaters to scarves to hats. Where in the world it comes from heavily impacts its density, texture and color.

Lynx: Lynx fur, if from the Canadian Lynx, is a very creamy tan color with dark markings; the Russian Lynx is much lighter with beige markings. (This type of fur is also more valuable than that of the Canadian Lynx.) These markings make the fur ideal for more funky fur coats — it looks somewhat like cheetah or jaguar fur.

Mink: Mink is by far the most popular of the furs. It's very soft and lustrous, and though it comes in a variety of natural colors, it's often dyed different colors. Mink is often used for fur coats, and, like fox, jacket trim and accessories.

Rabbit: Rabbit fur is one of the least durable furs on the market (it's also not very dense, making for a more appropriate light jacket than a heavy winter coat), though the less costly fur has lately been enjoying a surge of popularity with designers who like to use it for trim and accessories.

Now that you know the most common types of fur on the market, you should be able to make an easier decision when you go to buy a fur coat. Making an informed choice about what kind of fur you want to wear will keep you from buying something too light or too heavy — both in weight and color.