Origins

Cashmere gets its name from the North Indian state of Kashmir because of the goats found in this region of the Himalayas. It is from here, where the silk road ends, is where it was first exported to the rest of the world.

Kashmiri goats live high up in the mountains where the temperatures are consistently freezing. Their fur by necessity is very warm to survive in these harsh climates. Specifically though, the finest quality cashmere comes from only specific parts of the goat – the fur on the neck and underbelly. Fur found on its back and legs, though of lesser quality, is still extremely fine cashmere.  This makes cashmere ideal for all types of winter accessories and garments, from clothing like sweaters and scarves to accessories like gloves and socks.

Purity

A cashmere garment is only considered 100% cashmere if it complies with trade laws, particularly the US Wool Products Labeling Act. This act states that a garment or other item can only be labeled as cashmere if:

• Contains fibers from the undercoat of a cashmere goat, regardless of location from the body
• The diameter of the fiber must be less than 19 micron
• Coarse hair content cannot be greater than three percent

Admittedly, due to the popularity of cashmere and how it is entering into the average persons vocabulary, many products have come to the market labeled as cashmere though they are not 100% pure. They are often mixed with other types of wool – camel, sheep, alpaca are often mixed with cashmere to lower the costs.

Find Pure Cashmere

So, you are probably wondering how to find that high grade cashmere? Firstly, always check the label to make ensure the item is indeed 100% cashmere. It may be easier to buy online than go to a department store selling mixed wool fabrics, but you must be diligent.  When online, find out whether or not the seller has a test certificate that indicates the garments being sold have passed compliance and found to be 100% pure. A cashmere boutique that specializes in all types of cashmere will make sure you are putting your money into buying the highest quality of cashmere.

To stretch your dollar and find real value for money, keep an eye on websites that keep track of special offers, seasonal sales and discounted prices on cashmere. Any pure cashmere item bought at a discount is a true bargain – and even the best cashmere boutiques offer some sort of sale!