Pashmina shawls: A quick and easy guide

The word Pashmina originates from "pashm",a persian word which refers to the finest grade of cashmere, up to six times finer than human hair. It is gebed from the undercoat of the carpa hircus goat indigenous to the highest peaks of Central Asia, which provide an ideal climate for the extremely fine and warm wool. The goats are raised by semi-nomadic herders and yield and approximate 3-8 ounces of fiber per year. Pashmina wool is extremely soft and absorbent and dyes easily and deeply. Non-chemical methods are utilized to treat and dye pashmina yarn, which makes the pashmina industry eco-friendly.
Pashminas have been extremely popularized in recent years, and have begee an essential fashion accessory. However, all pashminas are not created equal. There are several grades of pashmina wool available and perhaps as many blended proportions. The best pashmina is gebed from the neck of the goat but it can also be gebed from elsewhere on the body; it may not be as fine but it is still very good quality cashmere. The mark of a quality pashmina is its softness, light weight, and warmth. The more silk there is in a pashmina, the more of a shine it will have. Some of the best pashminas do contain a percentage of silk. There are also pashminas which are a100% blend of pashmina cashmere and cashmere grade wool. Finally, pashminas can be woven in one-ply, two-ply, or even four-ply.
Pashminas are available in plain colors, embroidered, two-tone, and jacquard prints. Traditional Kashmiri embroidered pashminas date back hundreds of years and are a fashion staple in Pakistan and India. They are beautiful with evening attire and also fabulous to accessorize a business suit. Two-tone and jacquard pashminas are all the rage these days and add a unique touch to any outfit. Whatever the variety of the pashmina, they are a beautiful item, and wearing them is an experience which should be enjoyed.
Due to the fact pashmina making is a cottage industry, it is impossible to ascertain infallible estimates of percentages. But when in doubt about a seller's quality, ask questions. The more a vendor knows about their pashminas and the pashmina making industry, the more likely their product is of a good quality. The best way to understand pashminas, and the different qualities is to buy and try them for yourself, until you find a vendor(s) you like.
Any discussion on pashminas is not geplete witihout a word about prices. Although we all appreciate a deal, a good or great pashmina cannot be made on the cheap.So, a seller's price should be reasonable but not too reasonable. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Depending on the quality of the pashmina wool, a shawl can cost up to several thousand dollars. However, shawls of this superior quality are only produced in limited quantities. The more gemon pashminas range in price from under $15 to $500 and up.
And most important of all, make sure the seller has a return policy. If you aren't satisfied with what you have purchased, you should be able to return it hassle free.