Why is Pashmina Expensive?

Elegance is the only beauty that never fades... - Audrey Hepburn

THE SAGA

Kashmiri Pashmina is one of the finest, most exquisite fabrics ever made. It has also taken centuries of experimentation and refinement to raise this traditional practice of shawl making from being a necessity to unique textile art.

Overall, Kashmir is the only place in the world where finely embroidered Pashmina shawls are being produced.

Despite upheavals, the art of making the Pashmina shawls in Kashmir is unique and is still practiced in the traditional way by local artisans.

Is Pashmina Expensive?

According to a few lovers of this traditional art, Pashmina is a bit expensive. To know if this claim is at all correct, we take you through the journey of a Pashmina.

Does its procurement make Pashmina expensive?

The pashm wool comes from the Capra Hircus goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayan mountains.

Every spring, they shed their winter coat. Herders collect it later for the weaving process.

One goat produces only about a few grams of Pashmina each year. In addition to this, a single Pashmina shawl requires wool from about three goats. Hence the exorbitant price becomes obvious.

Does its purity make Pashmina expensive?

The test for a quality Pashmina has been warmth, feel, and the passing of the shawl through a wedding ring.

The fineness of the pashm wool is between 14-16 microns in contrast to the finest sheep's wool which is 23 microns. To make your hair raise more, human hair is up to 50-70 microns.

Real Pashminas are very soft and warm to touch, owing to the thickness of the hair. The finer the thread, the greater warmth it produces. Perhaps this is one more reason to feel that Pashmina is expensive.

Also read: Does your Pashmina pass through a ring?

THE SKILLFUL ART

An authentic Pashmina is always handmade and hand-embroidered with a very minute thread. Only a talented artisan can create skillful shawls with intricate work that gives Pashmina its grace and glory. Depending on the work, a single Pashmina piece may take anywhere between a week to a decade to complete. With signature Pashmina styles exclusive to us and the countless designs created by our hard-working weavers, our Pashmina collection is worth a look. It offers something unique and felicitous for every occasion.

How expensive is Pashmina?

Apart from being unaware of why is Pashmina expensive, women often do not have an idea about how expensive Pashmina is? Well the price depends on a number of factors. Here are some:

• Ply: Ply indicates the density of fibre used. Single ply Pashmina scarf would mean that basic thread is used in its single form. Double ply or two ply would indicate that fibre is double twisted. Two ply are more pricey
• Count: Yarn count is a number indicating the meters of yarn that can be spun per gram. The more yarn count the thinner, the smoother and more precious is the scarf.
• Thickness of the fibre: How thick the fibre is also determines the price of Pashmina scarves. The finer the fibre used, the more pricey the scarf becomes.

Weave patterns also determine the price of Pashmina scarves. The diamond weave is the most expensive type of scarves in Pashmina. Twill weave and basket weave follow. Jacquard weave is also one major type that is usually worn at weddings or special occasions.

How expensive is Pashmina scarf?

A Pashmina scarf, on average will be worth US$120 - 300 (dimension is 200 cm x 35cm). It also depends on purity. This was the price of a 100% pure scarf and not an amalgam of silk or nylon. Unfortunately, many deceptive sellers have hiked prices but sell fake scarves. It is important to ask the seller for a certificate of authenticity. If he is not able to produce one, then he might be a fraud. Nevertheless, plain scarves will range from $120 to $150. If the scarf is patterned, printed, or laced, it will rise in price. Embroidered scarves might even be priced at $300.

Also read: 7 questions you need to ask while you purchase a Real Pashmina