Is Pashmina Expensive?

The word Pashmina comes from the root word "Pashm" which literally translates to "soft gold". Owing to the softness, fine texture, and rich appearance of Pashmina scarves and shawls, these were named so by Persians, who trained local Kashmiri artisans in processing Pashmina wraps. 

History

Pashmina originated in Kashmir. Raw Cashmere wool was discovered by a Persian Saint in Ladakh, and later processing units for the same were set up in Kashmir during the Mughal rule. Pashmina shawls were of super-fine quality. These were the softest and warm accessories of their time in around the 15th century. As soon as Pashmina scarves gained popularity locally and in India and Asia, Europeans too took interest in the same. They visited Kashmir, and absolutely loved these luxury accessories. Since then, huge export of Pashmina shawls started from India to the European nations especially France and Scotland. 

How is Pashmina made?

The worth of Pashmina is realized once one knows its making processes. The process begins in a cold and arid region of Ladakh, called Changthang. Winters at Changthang are severe and the temperature dips to -40 degrees C. It is this area where the Cashmere wool-producing goats are found. To combat such harsh winter, nature bestows a warm fleece over the body of this goat. This grows as a down coat and helps the goat to survive winter comfortably.

Come spring, the same wool is naturally shed by the goat. It rubs itself against coarse surfaces and gets rid of the wool, with some portion still on its body. This is combed off by professionals besides collecting the rest of the wool. It is cleaned, packed, and sent for processing. 

Processing begins in Kashmir, where women begin with cleaning the wool. Post cleaning, Cashmere wool is spun over a wooden Spinning wheel to convert it into yarn. The yarn is super fine and delicate. This is handed over to men, who mount the same on handlooms and begin weaving it. After 3-4 days, a luxury Pashmina scarf/shawl/wrap is complete. 

Also read: A LEGACY OF PASHMINA ART

Why is Pashmina Famous?

Being labour intensive, super warm, feathery light, and luxurious, Pashmina is expensive, as compared to its counterparts. But there are abundant reasons for it to be such a valuable asset. Here are a few reasons why Pashmina is considered expensive:

Cashmere wool has a limited production: A goat only yields 150-200 grams of wool per year. Yet the demand for Pashmina scarves is much more. Due to this imbalance in demand and supply, scarves are expensive. 

Season Bound: Cashmere wool is grown on the body of the goat in winters only, and is shed in the Spring-Summer season. It is a hot summer when the goat sheds the wool, which is collected, processed, and sold. Hence it takes one full year to collect just 150-200 grams of Cashmere.

Difficult to procure: Cashmere goats are found in the high hilly areas of the Himalayas. To procure Cashmere, one has to travel a lot, with major difficulties to acquire the same. 

Intensive labour work: To convert raw lumps of Cashmere wool into yarn and then into luxury shawls and scarves, takes meticulous manual work. Women and men toil for months or years together to complete a single piece. 

The decreasing number of craftsmen: With fake Pashminas in the market, real art lost significance. Hence craftsmen began shifting to other art forms or simply jobs. With a small number of craftsmen continuing to process Cashmere wool, its value has increased even more. 

Time-consuming: The product is highly time-consuming. Large shawls made from Cashmere wool are handspun and handwoven and this process takes 4 to 5 years at times.

Is Pashmina Expensive?

Owing to the reasons mentioned above, Pashmina is one of the most expensive wool types in the world. A solid plain scarf made from Cashmere wool costs $100 USD. Large shawls and wraps with embroidery patterns over them at times cost 8 to 10 thousand dollars. Hence Pashmina shawls, wraps, or scarves are a huge investment and should be purchased carefully from authentic vendors.

Pashmina is worth every effort we make to own it. A Pashmina scarf or shawl is lightweight, fine, soft, and warm. It is a must-have for winters, as well as Spring and fall. It looks as well as feels luxurious. Even though it might seem expensive, it is undoubtedly worth a try.

Also read: IS PASHMINA A WOOL?