FAQs

Where does Pashmina originate from?

Though China produces about 70% of the Cashmere wool, there are other regions of Asia and the Middle East, like Mongolia, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Kazakhstan also known to produce the same.

 

However, the pure Cashmere wool produced by a unique breed called the Changthangi goats or Capra Hircus are considered the finest. They inhibit at the high altitude of 15,0000 feet in freezing cold and inhospitable conditions of minus 40 degree Celsius between the Himalayan valleys, Kashmir and Ladakh.

 

In these conditions, their coat and underbelly hair, the softest fibre, help them survive the colder months. In the Kashmir valley the wool goes through a refining process that becomes the Pashmina, known as ‘soft gold’.

It is then spun into strands to be ready for weaving.

What is the difference between Pashmina and Cashmere?

As mentioned earlier pure Pashmina is from the Cashmere wool after it is procured. The wool is naturally shed during the summer months by the specific variety of goats in the Ladakh valley of Kashmir. The wool is then put through a refining process of cleaning, then spun and woven into finely handcrafted wraps, shawls, stoles and scarves. The unrefined Cashmere wool is slightly coarser than the Pashmina.

Why is Pashmina considered expensive?

The thickness of the fibre is around 12 to 16 microns, compared to human
hair, an average of 50 microns. These delicate fibres are about 8 times warmer than sheep wool and each goat produces around 150 grams of Cashmere wool.

Much of the wool is rough initially which is sorted and several cleaning processes are applied before it is hand spun into yarns.

Then next stage is creating the patterns and colours for the shawl. Smaller shawls could take up to two months and depending on the amount of embroidery the larger wraps and shawls could take several months to years.

These factors add to Pashmina being expensive.

How to care for these items?

Do’s

  • Generally it is advised to dry clean your Pashmina.
  • Can be hand washed with very mild shampoo and luke-warm water.
  • Gently agitated the material between your hands.
  • Should be dried naturally placed on a dry towel on a flat surface.
  • Brush or shake after every wear before storing it away.
  • Always store it in a dust bag or in a non chemical tissue paper to keep moths away.
  • Open the shawl every few months from its storage as this keeps it fresh.
  • Can be ironed on very light heat placed under a cloth.

Do not’s

  • Do not use hot water when washing.
  • Do not squash or wring the material as the fibre will move and misshapen.
  • Never hang the Pashmina shawls.
  • It should not be dried in direct sunlight.
  • Never use chemical moth balls like Naphthalene balls.
  • Do not wrap up in newspaper as the chemical ink would affect the fibres.
  • Never store it away while damp, in cases of cold conditions.
  • Do not store it in a plastic bag.
  • Never iron directly.
  • Avoid perfume sprays directly on the shawls.

Is Pashmina and Shahtoosh the same?

They are very different animals from different parts. While Pashmina is the Cashmere wool from Changthangi goats and they are domesticated animals, Shahtoosh is from the wild, a breed of antelopes called Chiru and Andean Vicuña, from Tibet.

 

The production of Shahtoosh was banned in 2000 by the government of Kashmir as these animals are killed for their fibres.

How many sizes are there?

There are different sizes varying from large shawl wraps 100” x 50”, medium shawls 80” x 40”, stoles 80” x 28” and scarves 80” x 14”

The current size available on our online shop is approx 80” x 40”.

How to identify the authenticity of Cashmere or Pashminas shawls?

  1. It is smooth to the touch and very light as the fibres are much thinner than other wools.
  2. Plain Pashmina shawls can be transparent. However, if held against light it shouldn’t transmit light and they should have a matt finish as they are of natural fibres, if the surface is shiny, it is not a Pashmina.
  3. A handcrafted Pashmina or Cashmere often will be uneven, with very slight movement in the texture, unlike a machine woven ones or blended wool ones would achieve a more even look.
  4. The finishing of the Pashmina is mostly with a short frayed fringe and not edged or stitched
  5. These fibres are hypoallergenic, which means it shouldn’t cause any allergic discomfort such as itching or sneezing when using them or trying them on.
  6. Another way to look out for pure Pashmina is when the material is rubbing in a corner on itself there should not be any electricity. Only a synthetic blend of material would generate electricity.
  7. By burning a small strand of the fibre to test, and it should smell of burnt hair as they are of animals.
  8. Not all shawls with a Pashmina label is pure, this is a biggest misleading information. However, the Pashmina shawls sold on this site, comes with an authentic certification and care instructions.