What is cashmere, what is it so valuable, and how to identify a fake?

Every woman knows what cashmere is. But here is not all to buy a really high-quality thing from this material. Yarn cashmere is not cheap. Why? What is cashmere made of? What is so valuable about this material? Why does every fashionista gladly update her wardrobe with cashmere products?

"Soft gold"

This is the name of cashmere fabric in China. The experienced inhabitants of the Heavenly Empire know such things in such things. Producers of the best silk in the world to the question: "What is cashmere?" - Answer: "This is soft gold!" Things made of this material are weightless, very soft and surprisingly warm. It is also important that, unlike wool, cashmere very gently lies on the skin, absolutely without irritating it. Well, tell me, what kind of fabric can combine at once so many advantages?

Cashmere is ...

It's really worth stopping here. It is very important to understand what cashmere really is. Unfortunately, in some dictionaries it is referred to as "light woolen or cotton cloth of asparagus weave". In fact, such a characteristic is not entirely true. Talking about what cashmere is, you should first of all point out that this is not wool, but down of mountain goats, and of a certain breed. There is no talk about any cotton fabrics at all. This down is plucked out of goats in the spring, after minutes of winter cold. Animals are not sheared, but are treated with a special twig. This is done only once a year. One goat can give a strength of 200 grams of valuable fluff (usually 100-120 grams). Moreover, the givers of "soft gold" are very capricious and do not want to live anywhere. They like Mongolia, China, Afghanistan and Iran. Attempts to breed them in other countries were unsuccessful - the quality of the undercoat turned out to be quite low. In order to tie one medium-sized sweater, you will need fluff from five to seven animals. A voluminous cardigan will require once in five or six more.

Characteristic

The one who knows what cashmere is, understands why it is so expensive. There is a great misconception that this material is needed only for winter walks. Cashmere has a very high thermal insulation ability, so things from it are also comfortable with regard to heat. The fact is that the fibers of cashmere hold up air two or three times more than other fabrics. Fiber almost does not accumulate static electricity, so it does not collect dust and is less polluted. Did you notice that goats are almost always clean? It turns out that the flakes that cover the fibers of the cashmere thread, prevent the deep penetration of dust. In addition, they repel water. Only steam can be absorbed. This is explained by the presence on the fibers of a waxy fatty substance that does not disappear even after dry cleaning.

Some consumers argue that "rolling" is a quality problem. This point of view is also erroneous: the yarn of cashmere can not but slide down. The knitted fabric of this material must be thin and soft. To maximize this quality, you need to "lift" the fine fibers. This measure allows to achieve both softness and smoothness of the layer. Otherwise, the top layer will turn out to be dry and rough. Therefore, we should not be surprised at the appearance of pellets as a result of friction. Perhaps this is the only drawback of cashmere. In addition, it is easily eliminated either by fingers or by special machines.

Price categories

What is cashmere and why it is so expensive, we found out. Now we will understand why the prices for things from this material differ. It turns out that the whole thing is in the so-called tonin, or the thickness of the fluff. Conditionally, there are two categories:

1. Pashmina. Pooh is of the highest quality, no more than 15 microns, thinner than human hair several times. Used to produce the finest shawls, the cost of which is from 15,000 rubles to several tens of thousands.
2. Cashmere. Thickness of down to 19 microns. Sometimes it is called a half-pashmina. Retail value of 2-3 thousand rubles. The determining factors here are color and thickness. The natural colors of such fluff are gray, black, brown and white. The most expensive fluff is white. It is better stained and much more tender.

If you saw a shawl for a couple of thousand rubles (or a little more), then, most likely, it is made of either wool or with a small content of cashmere. A cheaper product is made from either acrylic or viscose. However, individual sellers and on such things put "cashmere" prices, hoping that the buyer does not distinguish a fake. How not to fall for such a bait?

Learning to identify a fake

1. Cashmere is faded. It is quite difficult to paint it (we have already written above why). Any dye applied to fluff becomes smoky, that is, it fades a little. If you are shown a bright thing, having a pure, juicy color, be sure: you are deceived. Either it is not cashmere at all, or another fiber (polyester, wool, silk) is added to the product. Of course, the seller may object, saying that white fluff was used. However, even in this case the color would not be bright! Most manufacturers really add up to 10% of silk to pashmina and cashmere. This is done for refreshing the product, giving brightness and improving the weariness.
2. How can I find out about the additive? Along with the real down, if you look closely, another, thin and denser thread is noticeable. This is permissible, so you should not refuse such a thing, especially if you liked it.
3. Pay attention to the haze. If the composition does have cashmere, you will see thin, like a spiderweb, fibers of down. They create a light haze on the surface.
4. Squeeze the fabric. Hold it for a few seconds between your hands. Provided that it is really cashmere, you will feel a noticeable warmth. Pooh does not just hold, but also strengthens heat.
5. Pay attention to the lack of gloss. This is a must for pure cashmere: it must be matte! Shine indicates the presence of additives.