Cashmere

Cashmere is derived from the pashm goat or "Capra Hircus" as it is known in Latin. This goat makes its habitat in the high altitudes of the Himalayan mountain ranges and in the Sub-Siberian latitudes. These regions encompass Inner Mongolia, Kazakhstan, inner portions of Iran, and Afghanistan.

Cashmere garment is precious. It's important for shoppers to know how to buy and care for cashmere to assure they get the best value for their money. Cashmere is luxurious and fashionable, but also durable and a practical investment. Cashmere:

• travels well and doesn't wrinkle
• offer great insulation; is warm in the winter and cool in the spring, in air-conditioned buildings and cool summer evenings
• is long-lasting;
• it actually become softer with age and rarely pill after being worn and washed; should last a lifetime

Cashmere is a renewable resource! Cashmere is an extremely rare fiber and is available in limited supply. One goat yields an average of four to six ounces of fiber. It takes 32 ounces of fiber to make one sports jacket and 10 to 12 ounces of fiber to make one two-ply sweater.

There are five primary steps to cashmere production:

• Collection
• Sorting, scouring
• Dehairing
• Spinning
• Weaving or knitting

COLLECTION Cashmere fibers are collected by either combing or shearing the animal during the molting season. Goats molt during a several week period in the spring.

SORTING, SCOURING Hand sorting for coarse hair takes place. After sorting, the fiber is washed to remove dirt, grease and any vegetable matter gathered in the collection process.

DEHAIRING The scoured material is then dehaired. This step removes vegetable matter, dandruff and the coarse outer guard hair. At the end of this process, the cashmere is ready to be spun into yarns for weaving or knitting--the 4th and 5th steps.

Silk

Silk is a natural fiber that can be woven into textiles. It is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm larva, in the process known as sericulture, which kills the larvae.

Silk was first developed in early China, possibly as early as 6000 BC and definitely by 3000 BC. Legend gives credit to a Chinese Empress Xi Ling Shi. Though first reserved for the Emperors of China, its use spread gradually through Chinese culture both geographically and socially. From there, silken garments began to reach regions throughout Asia. Silk rapidly became a popular luxury fabric in the many areas accessible to Chinese merchants, because of its texture and lustre. Because of the high demand for the fabric, silk was one of the staples of international trade prior to industrialization.

Silk's good absorbency makes it comfortable to wear in warm weather and while active. Its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during cold weather. It is often used for clothing such as shirts, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, pyjamas, skirtsuits, sun dresses and underwear.

Silk fibers have a triangular cross section with rounded corners. This reflects light at many different angles, giving silk a natural shine. It has a smooth, soft texture that is not slippery, unlike many synthetic fibers.

Cashmere Silk blend

Silk blends very well with cashmere and gives garments more sheen and drape. Silk is a "harder" fiber when blended with cashmere on the woolen system so the silk & cashmere blended garments do not feel as soft as 100% cashmere.

A composition of 50% cashmere and 50% silk is usually used for pashminas. Composition of 15% cashmere and 85% silk is usually used for summer collection, and 30% cashmere and 70% silk for spring/autumn collection or for those climates with mild winters.

Pashmina

Pashmina keeps you warm. Pashminas shawls are a timeless evening accessory. They are both versatile and elegant - and fit into any handbag. They are made of cashmere (or mix of cashmere and silk), and "Pashm" is a Persian word for wool.

The name "Pashmina" arose along with the art of shawl weaving in the Himalayas, where it refers to any shawl or scarf woven from the wool of the cashmere goat. Pashmina shawls became a traditional article of clothing in and around Kashmir and were imported to Europe in the 19th century.

But if you are looking to buy the queen of the shawls beware the fact that pashmina is not a material, it is a product. Make sure that you buy pashmina that is made of cashmere or cashmere/silk blend.