Pashmina is a fine type of cashmere wool. The textiles made from it were first woven in Kashmir. Often shawls called shahmina are made from this material in Kashmir and Nepal; these shawls are hand spun and woven from the very fine cashmere fibre.
Kashmiri Pashmina is the finest, elegant and delicate fabric made from fine cashmere fiber. The overpriced price of a real pashmina shawl is due to: The wool for Pashmina shawls is difficult to procure as it comes from four different breeds of Cashmere goats indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayan Mountains.
Pashmina is known to have been sourced from the finest inner wool of the unique Himalayan mountain goat with average fiber diameter of approx 12 micron.
How can you tell if a pashmina is real?
1. Check its appearance. Though sometimes a slight sheen is possible, yet in most cases authentic piece will bear a matte appearance.
2. Look for the diameter.
3. Check the weave.
4. Go for the burn test.
5. Check the ply and the dimensions.
6. Perform the rubbing test.
7. Do the pilling test.
8. Check if it has anything glued on it.
The difference between pashmina and cashmere?
Generally speaking, pashmina is the finer wool, wool with premium quality. This wool was usually used for shawls and scarves because it was softer and lighter compared to cashmere. So, cashmere is obtained from a wide range of subspecies of goats that live in Nepal, Tibet, and Kashmir.
Can pashmina be washed?
In general, dry cleaning is the preferred method of washing for pashmina and cashmere care. Then wash very gently by hand while being very careful with the hand-tied tassels (assuming attached) if you are washing a pashmina accessory. After washing, please do not wring dry. Simply lay it flat to dry.
Can you wash pashmina scarves in the washing machine?
If you must wash the pashmina scarf in a washing machine, put it in a mesh bag and wash on a delicate cycle to retain its original colour. Do not machine dry, as the heat will ruin the fabric.