Two decades ago, Pashmina was the ubiquitous choice of most elites. But no one knew that there would be unscrupulous counterfeiting and fake Pashminas in the market. As with any other fashion piece, whenever there is mass churning of a product, those who are conscious of their fashion choices would not like to buy it. That's because there would be far too many pieces of the same kind. This art of the royals is precious. We understand that, which is why we have unique pieces that you will only find on Pashmina.com. These handwoven, handcrafted wraps made from pure Himalayan Cashmere are the epitome of authenticity and sheer luxury. And believe us, just buying a single product wouldn’t satiate your appetite!
What are Pashmina scarves made of?
It is really important to answer this question "What is a Pashmina scarf made of", as it has created mass confusion among the admirers of pure Pashmina scarves. Pashmina scarves are made of Cashmere wool which is sourced from Ladakh. Here an exotic rare goat grows Cashmere over its underbelly to survive freezing cold. This Wool is naturally gotten rid of in summers by the goat. It is later cleaned, spun, woven, and handcrafted into luxury Pashmina scarves, shawls, and other wrap accessories.
But before, you spend those bucks on buying a Pashmina, it’s best you understand how to identify a genuine one. However, the question is
"How to check the original Pashmina?"
There are certain properties of a Pashmina that help you to check the original Pashmina scarf which is authentic and real, and not fake. How to know real Pashmina can be a challenge, but only if you follow these, you will be saved from owning a fake piece. Pure Pashmina scarves are also called 100 Pashmina, owing to them being 100% pure. Here is a list of some features of a 100 Pashmina scarf.
1. A 100% original Pashmina scarf is soft
This is the first and the most basic way to identify pure Cashmere. So, in case your luxury wrap doesn’t feel as soft and itches once you wrap it, you’ve got your hands on a fake one! This is because Pashmina is a hypoallergenic fibre, which does not cause any allergic reaction. It is generally smooth and soft as butter, because it is made up of fibres of fine diameter. Besides, it is not straight and bumpy, which means the fibres stick to themselves but do not stick out at all.
2. A 100% genuine Pashmina scarf will carry a label
Your luxury wrap, if it’s genuine, is likely to have a label calling it out. There are times that it may have one and yet lack authenticity. But in case there isn’t at all, that should raise a red flag. At Pashmina.com, we are ahead of the curve. We understand how our customers deserve the quality and authenticity they invest in. So each of our pieces comes with a quality assurance certificate from the Crafts Development Institute, Government of India.
3. A 100% genuine Pashmina scarf is not transparent
Hold the luxury Cashmere under a light. If it’s transparent, then it’s not real Pashmina, because it does not transmit light. Besides, it isn’t shiny at all, so that’s another catch for you to notice. Check out these amazing Real Pashmina Shawls Prices.
4. Genuine Pashmina is uneven
You certainly need to get even with a seller, if he’s sold you fake Pashmina for the price you paid. Jokes apart, the texture of your Pashmina will only be even if it’s machine-made or a mixed blend instead of a pure one. A 100 Pashmina scarf that has been painstakingly handcrafted will show some form of irregularities since it’s done by hand. At Pashmina.com, our artisans painstakingly work for days and months to create a masterpiece that’s fine and accentuates your personality and your outfit.
5. Original Pashmina won't generate static electricity
This might sound odd to you, but it’s the right step! When you rub the fabric, you will know what the animal fibres are made up of. Synthetic fibres like acrylic and polyester when rubbed together generate massive static electricity as well as little sparks. In the case of Pashmina, none of this happens, so you’d have your proof right there!
6. Original Pashmina will Pill
This is another test you must not miss. Pashmina is an animal fibre and is likely to pill, however much you try. Pilling can be reduced to an extent but won’t completely go. If you don’t spot any pilling, it means that there is some synthetic mixed.
The test involves burning a tiny fringe of a Pashmina to check if it’s genuine. You need to be really careful while doing this as you wouldn't want to burn down that precious piece. Once you lit up that scrap, notice how it smells and looks. A 100 Pashmina scarf will leave a burnt hair smell and there’ll be some powdery residue behind. If it’s a synthetic fibre, you may smell burnt leaves and it will burn more brightly and leave a small bump behind.
7. 100% genuine Pashmina scarf gives a burnt smell
These are some of the most common and simple ways to know if your Pashmina is a genuine one. These are mostly fail-proof and help in buying the right Pashmina and prevent you from getting fleeced. Phew! Not only is there pain of having lost your money, but it also turns you against such beautiful works of art because of an unpleasant shopping experience.
How to tell if Pashmina is real or fake?
If you already own a Pashmina and doubt whether you have invested in a real or fake Pashmina, here at some at-home tests that can prove the originality of your scarf.
Burn Test
- Pick a thread of your Pashmina scarf from the fringes. This should be enough for the burn test.
2. Place this thread on a surface, and burn it.
3. Carefully smell the burnt thread, as well as touch the ashes with your fingers.
4. If you smell a burnt hair smell and if the ashes turn to powder, your scarf has a higher chance of being original. Pashmina scarves are made from natural hair and hence give the same odour.
5. Post this process, and check on the burnt Pashmina thread again. If it has acquired a matte appearance, there is a greater chance of it being original.
Rubbing Test
- Take a corner of the scarf, and rub it against its own surface
- If your Pashmina is fake, it will produce static electricity. That is what polyester fabric does.
- Fake Pashminas which generate electricity will even attract dust particles towards themselves.
Shine Test
- Check the surface of your Pashmina scarf
- If the appearance is too much shiny, chances are that this piece is fake.
- Pashmina scarves are made from natural fibre, and hence have a matte appearance.
What is Faux Pashmina?
While a number of fake Pashmina copies have filled up markets, a category of the same is faux Pashmina. But what is Faux Pashmina? Let's find out
When commoners could not afford Pashmina scarves, traders started to manufacture false Pashmina scarves, calling it by different names. One such type is faux Pashmina scarves. These are cheap scarves, which are made of synthetic fibre like viscose. These are super soft and plush like a Pashmina scarf, but are one of the fake variants which just feel like Pashmina.
100% pure Pashmina scarf & Pashmina.com
We, at Pashmina.com, are one of the world’s largest curators of pure and handcrafted Himalayan cashmere. Each of our pieces epitomizes the highest levels of quality and royalty and will make you feel no less than nobility yourself. Our range of shawls, stoles, scarves, and hijabs will enrapture the world with its beauty and sublime softness. It’s not just the beauty and exquisiteness that we are concerned about; credibility is what sets us apart from the rest. Our pieces are painstakingly handcrafted with the finest designs and reflect the highest quality of craftsmanship. After this labour of love sees the light of day, it is sent for quality assurance to the Crafts Development Institute, Ministry of Textiles as part of Govt of India that certifies each Pashmina. After all, you deserve a product that’s as warm and real as you!