Mink is the most popular fur sold in Washington—it’s 95 percent of what Miller’s Furs sells. Prices vary by design and quality, but a new mink, Mark Miller says, is $5,000 to $25,000.

The most luxurious choice is Russian sable, according to Terry Thornton, the fur expert for Neiman Marcus. A Barguzin sable in a rich dark brown can cost $30,000 to $100,000. Too much? Chinchilla is soft and lightweight, Thornton says, and can create a garment with drama.

One alternative for budget-minded fur buyers—beaver. Thornton says longhaired beaver coats have shown up on European runways and can be had for less than $10,000.

This article first appeared in the October 2008 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles like it, click here.