How to Buy Genuine Pashmina

Can you identify real pashmina textiles?

Real Pashmina wool comes from Himalayan goats raised in high altitudes that are kept warm by their extremely light, thin, thermo-conductive wool. This inner layer of warmth keeps them alive in temperatures that can be as low as -40º Celsius. In the summers, farmers climb the mountains to comb this inner layer of hair from the goats, which is then woven into the lush, soft Pashmina shawls and scarves sold in department stores.

Instructions

1. Check all tags to identify that the material is 100-percent pashmina with no wool or silk blended in.

2. Feel the material in your hands, and rub it against your face. Pashmina is not only warm, but light and soft as a feather. You should feel no scratching or rubbing when the scarf brushes against you, and it should not fluff up.

3. Examine the material to check for seams or creases. A 100-percent pashmina shawl will be hand-woven in one whole piece because the fibers in the pashmina wool are too thin to be machine-sewn.

4. Try wetting the material with water to test its authenticity. Pure pashmina should be color-fast, keeping its dyed color even when wet.

5. Purchase the pashmina from a retailer with a good reputation for both quality and honesty. Ask directly if the pashmina is authentic, both in origin and material.

References

• Koshur: Pashmina FAQ -
• Vedic Life: Pashmina Info

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish