➪  Wool, Cashmere, or Pashmina ?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WOOL, CASHMERE, AND PASHMINA

Wool
Wool is a natural textile produced by sheep, including those living in the Himalayas. It has been used for centuries to make warm and durable garments.

Cashmere Wool
Cashmere wool is obtained from goats living on the high Himalayan plateaus, in the Kashmir region. The local master weavers, called “Kashmiris,” are famous for their traditional wooden looms and extremely fine weaving. Today, cashmere wool is produced worldwide from various goat breeds.

Pashmina Wool
Pashmina is made exclusively from the long, ultra-fine hair found on the neck and under-chin area of goats living at very high altitudes in the Himalayas. The word "pashmina" comes from the Persian *pashmînâh*, meaning "warm wool". Known for its extraordinary quality (14–15 microns vs. 50–75 for human hair), it is considered one of the finest wools in the world. Each goat produces only 100 to 300 grams per year. The higher the altitude, the finer the wool.

Shatoosh Wool
Shatoosh is a rare and ultra-fine fabric made from the under-neck hair of the Tibetan antelope (chiru), a protected endangered species. Its production and trade are banned. → What is Shahtoosh Wool ?