A Guide to Buying Pashmina Wool

All those who have seen a shawl made of Pashmina are seduced by its softness, luxurious feel and artistry. No wonder they were prized by royalty. It is truly a great item to possess, gift or receive as a gift. Its rarity and uniqueness can add class to your wardrobe that can never go wrong.

About Pashmina
First of all, let us learn what is so special about Pashmina wool. If you have been impressed by Cashmere's softness, prepare to be blown away by Pashmina. This wool is very soft and light. It holds colors beautifully. It is also very rare. Pashmina wool is harvested from the Himalayan mountain goat. The winter coat from the underbelly which is shed naturally by the goat, makes the softest, best quality Pashmina. A lot of manual effort goes into separating the soft hair from the coarse hair by combing. Authentic Pashmina is only available in India, Nepal and more recently Mongolia. It is available only in very small quantities and is quite expensive.

Pashmina blends
Pashmina wool is always blended with a small percentage of silk. Pure Pashmina is so delicate that it cannot withstand tension and can only have a lose open weave. Though pure pashmina products are available they are not preferred due to prohibitive cost, effort is weaving and maintenance difficulties. The silk adds strength and shine to the fabric while keeping it thin and soft. The highest grade of Pashmina products contain twenty percent silk. More commonly available and slightly cheaper products contain up to thirty percent silk. Any more than that, and the value of the product decreases. Fifty percent blends are commonly available in the market and its alright as long as they are not being passed off as high quality products.

Tips for buying Pashmina

1) Buy from a reputed seller
The seller will normally be based in India or Nepal. He should be knowledgeable about Pashmina. Try asking about the difference between Cashmere and Pashmina. If he tries to tell you they are nearly the same be careful. Cashmere is nowhere near as expensive but when blended with silk the difference is very hard to tell. If the seller tries to tell you they are the same, it is very likely he will pass off a Cashmere shawl to you as Pashmina. If a seller comes highly recommended by people you trust and who know about Pashmina, your job is a lot easier. A full length pashmina shawl should pass through a wedding ring.

2) Be careful of labels
If the product is labeled cashmere pashmina or viscose pashmina with adjectives like authentic and genuine, be on your guard. Viscose is a synthetic fiber and is very inexpensive. Good pashmina products only contain pashmina and silk, no other fibers.

3) It is not all about the wool
Hand dyed scarves, stoles and shawls cost more. based on your budget you can go for plain shawls or scarves which also look very elegant. If you want to buy exquisite hand dyed scarves, be prepared to spend a lot more.

4) Warranty and maintenance instructions
Get a guarantee that the colors will remain fast on the shawl. Also make sure you understand the return policy of the items. Get detailed instructions on how to care for your Pashmina shawl properly. It is normally required to dry clean these shawls. They can be washed in cold water using a very mild detergent and allowed to dry without wringing. They can be ironed between pieces of cloth. Pashmina gets softer with use and will last very long when properly maintained.

So go out an buy yourself your first piece of pashmina when you have something to celebrate. Try gifting it to someone you love. It can make the occasion even more special and give lasting pleasure.