Accessorize with Pashmina, not just any piece of fabric...
About Pashmina
About Pashmina
The name ‘Pashmina’ comes from Persian word ‘Pashm’ which means wool. However, over many centuries, Pashmina has come to be known as a special kind of wool which comes from the outer skin of the goats living in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. Pashmina wraps; scarves, stoles, shawls, and throws are hand spun and woven in Nepal and Kashmir in the Indian subcontinent. The pashminas from Kashmir are also known as Cashmere (the changed name of Kashmir) Pashmina. The words Cashmere and Pashmina have come into use as a substitute of each other and also together to express high quality of pashmina wraps.
Mention of pashmina shawls in writing is found between 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. Zayn-ul-Abidin, the 15th century ruler of Kashmir, is known to be the founder of the pashmina wool industry. He introduced weavers from Central Asia. Cashmere Pashmina shawls have been manufactured in Nepal and Kashmir for hundreds of years.
The goats bearing pashmina fiber are commercially reared in the Himalayas as well as now in Gobi Desert (in Mongolia). The weather conditions in Mongolia are similar to those of the Himalayan region, and are quite suitable for the goats to grow pashmina. Owing to availability of vast open grazing grounds to produce pashmina economically and commercially, production of pashmina in Mongolia costs less than the Himalyas. The quality of pashmina wool obtained from the goats raised in Mongolia is the same as that of the Himalyan goats. Due to ever increasing demad of pashmina and not everyone knowing about the quality of pashmina, quite a few imitations have also appeared in the market. Acrylic and viscose pashmina are two of the most common imitations of pashmina.
The goats shed their winter coat every spring. Approximately 4 to 8 ounces of pashmina fibre is shed by each goat. It takes fibre of two to three goats to make one good quality pashmina shawl or stole. The pashmina fiber which is closer to the body of the goat is of better quality than the one on the outer side.
Quality Checks
Unfortunately, a number of merchants are selling fake pashminas, claiming these to be genuine. These fake pashminas are made from synthetic fibers like acrylic, viscose etc. These are light and soft too but lack the gentle touch and feel of genuine pashminas as well as their unmatched warmth. Obviously, these fake pashminas are being sold at cheaper rates than that of genuine pashminas.
There are two very simple quality checks which you can undertake without any hassle. Dampen our pashmina slightly and smell it. The smell will be a little like that of a wet animal. It won't be all that unpleasant. In case of a fake pashmina, the smell of the damp portion will be that of an ordinary cloth. The second test can be undertaken by burning a few millimeters of the loose end of one of the tassels or the wrap, if it is without tassels. The smell of the burnt portion will be like that of hair burning. The ash will be in the form of a uniform powder and it will come off easily. In case of fake pashmina, having synthetic in it, the smell will be that of a chemical. The ash of the burnt portion, in case of a fake pashmina, will not come off easily and, in stead, it will form small beads.
Pashmina Categories
Pashmina wraps come in two forms; 100% pure and silk blended . Within both categories, the quality of pashmina is dependent on the quality of pashmina fiber. 100% pure pashmina wraps are lighter, softer and warmer than the silk blended pashmina wraps which are also known as silk pashminas. The silk pashmina wraps usually have a blend of 20 to 30% silk and 80 to 70% pashmina. Blending of more silk loses the charming grace of pashmina and the wrap looks more like a silk wrap. Within the category of 100% pure pashminas, we offer three types of pashmina wraps; pure pashminas, aristocrat shaminas and ring pashminas. Pure pashminas and aristocrat shaminas are three ply, and ring pashminas are two ply. Our ring pashminas are so delicate that these can easily pass through a finger ring. Aristocrat shamina pashminas are the softest and the most gentle offering the best feel and touch. The pashmina fiber of aristocrat shamina is of superior quality than that of pure and ring pashminas. Our pashminas in terms of warmth are aristocrat shamina, pure, silk and ring pashminas respectively.
Don't Buy Fur Pashminas
Buying and using fur pashminas implies supporting cruelty to the animals. Further to that, it is worth noting that more often than not fur of cats and dogs is used without people knowing. Tests on fur and even fake fur products have revealed domestic dogs and cats are often used without the consumer being aware. Even other animals being used is horrific with a callous and cruel death. Foregoing in view, we strongly recommend that fur pashminas should not be purchased and used.
The name ‘Pashmina’ comes from Persian word ‘Pashm’ which means wool. However, over many centuries, Pashmina has come to be known as a special kind of wool which comes from the outer skin of the goats living in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. Pashmina wraps; scarves, stoles, shawls, and throws are hand spun and woven in Nepal and Kashmir in the Indian subcontinent. The pashminas from Kashmir are also known as Cashmere (the changed name of Kashmir) Pashmina. The words Cashmere and Pashmina have come into use as a substitute of each other and also together to express high quality of pashmina wraps.
Mention of pashmina shawls in writing is found between 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. Zayn-ul-Abidin, the 15th century ruler of Kashmir, is known to be the founder of the pashmina wool industry. He introduced weavers from Central Asia. Cashmere Pashmina shawls have been manufactured in Nepal and Kashmir for hundreds of years.
The goats bearing pashmina fiber are commercially reared in the Himalayas as well as now in Gobi Desert (in Mongolia). The weather conditions in Mongolia are similar to those of the Himalayan region, and are quite suitable for the goats to grow pashmina. Owing to availability of vast open grazing grounds to produce pashmina economically and commercially, production of pashmina in Mongolia costs less than the Himalyas. The quality of pashmina wool obtained from the goats raised in Mongolia is the same as that of the Himalyan goats. Due to ever increasing demad of pashmina and not everyone knowing about the quality of pashmina, quite a few imitations have also appeared in the market. Acrylic and viscose pashmina are two of the most common imitations of pashmina.
The goats shed their winter coat every spring. Approximately 4 to 8 ounces of pashmina fibre is shed by each goat. It takes fibre of two to three goats to make one good quality pashmina shawl or stole. The pashmina fiber which is closer to the body of the goat is of better quality than the one on the outer side.
Quality Checks
Unfortunately, a number of merchants are selling fake pashminas, claiming these to be genuine. These fake pashminas are made from synthetic fibers like acrylic, viscose etc. These are light and soft too but lack the gentle touch and feel of genuine pashminas as well as their unmatched warmth. Obviously, these fake pashminas are being sold at cheaper rates than that of genuine pashminas.
There are two very simple quality checks which you can undertake without any hassle. Dampen our pashmina slightly and smell it. The smell will be a little like that of a wet animal. It won't be all that unpleasant. In case of a fake pashmina, the smell of the damp portion will be that of an ordinary cloth. The second test can be undertaken by burning a few millimeters of the loose end of one of the tassels or the wrap, if it is without tassels. The smell of the burnt portion will be like that of hair burning. The ash will be in the form of a uniform powder and it will come off easily. In case of fake pashmina, having synthetic in it, the smell will be that of a chemical. The ash of the burnt portion, in case of a fake pashmina, will not come off easily and, in stead, it will form small beads.
Pashmina Categories
Pashmina wraps come in two forms; 100% pure and silk blended . Within both categories, the quality of pashmina is dependent on the quality of pashmina fiber. 100% pure pashmina wraps are lighter, softer and warmer than the silk blended pashmina wraps which are also known as silk pashminas. The silk pashmina wraps usually have a blend of 20 to 30% silk and 80 to 70% pashmina. Blending of more silk loses the charming grace of pashmina and the wrap looks more like a silk wrap. Within the category of 100% pure pashminas, we offer three types of pashmina wraps; pure pashminas, aristocrat shaminas and ring pashminas. Pure pashminas and aristocrat shaminas are three ply, and ring pashminas are two ply. Our ring pashminas are so delicate that these can easily pass through a finger ring. Aristocrat shamina pashminas are the softest and the most gentle offering the best feel and touch. The pashmina fiber of aristocrat shamina is of superior quality than that of pure and ring pashminas. Our pashminas in terms of warmth are aristocrat shamina, pure, silk and ring pashminas respectively.
Don't Buy Fur Pashminas
Buying and using fur pashminas implies supporting cruelty to the animals. Further to that, it is worth noting that more often than not fur of cats and dogs is used without people knowing. Tests on fur and even fake fur products have revealed domestic dogs and cats are often used without the consumer being aware. Even other animals being used is horrific with a callous and cruel death. Foregoing in view, we strongly recommend that fur pashminas should not be purchased and used.
