Pashmina Shawls are the most exquisite Shawls of India. It is also very
highly priced but that is for the reason of the Wool which is os rare. Found
in the snows and Hills of
Himalayas,
this wool comes from the Goat called Pashmina or Changthangi. This breed of
Goat is usually found in Ladakh and Kashmir, usually raised for Meat or
Cashmere/Pashmina Wool. The Pashmina Goat survives on the Grass grown on the
lands of
Kashmir and
Ladakh where the temperature can go as below as -20 Deg Centigrade.
Changthangi Goat sheds an approximate of 3 - 8 ounces of wool/ winter coat
every spring. This wool is then collected and used for making Pashmina
Shawls. Today, the Pashmina Goats are commercially reared to meets the
demands of the capturing buyers. These Shawls are not only sold in India but
are also exported. reared in Gobi Desert and Mongolia, these regions have a
lot of green grass for the goats to graze.
Various sizes which are avialable in the market are 12 * 60 for stalls and
30 * 60 for full size Shawls.
Crafting of Pashmina Shawls
The Wool for the Shawls are shed by the Pashmina Goats. In the Spring
Season, the goats shed their outer cover for the new skin to come. These
are then collected by the weavers. The weavers then make a distinction
of very pure and pure wools. These are then woven on Kargha ( the
winding machine). The designs and patterns are decided and then the
weaving is done. Once the weaving is complete these are then dipped in
natural colors, made from flowers to give different colors to the
Shawls.
Most of the Pashmina Shawls have only one color throughout. However,
there are varieties of Pashmina Shawls which are being woven these days
- pure pashmina, pure ring pashminas, silk blended pashminas, two tone
pashminas, ombre/gradient pashminas, pashmina with furs, beaded
pashmina, aristocrat pashmina and brides pashmina.
Though most of the Pashmina which are sold in the Market are of pure
wool, still for those who cannot afford the high ranges of Pure
Pashmina, can go for Viscous Pashmina. Viscous Pashmina have a blend of
Viscous which is an artificial silk look giving agent. However, one
should avoid buying these as the Viscous does not have the warmth which
a pure wool has.
The Price range of Pashmina Shawl begins from Rs 4000/ - and can go as
high as Rs 20,000. The very high ranges can be for bedsheets and
curtains made out of pure Pashmina found only in Kashmir and Ladakh.
Suggestions
- Pure Pashmina is very rare and so is highly
priced. If someone is selling it at a low price, then its
artificial.
- Buying Pashmina from Emporiums can be a bit
costly, but then there is a surety of it being pure. Purchase from
Government Emporiums if you are buying outside Ladakh and Kashmir.
- A true Pashmina is very light in weight, soft
like silk and is highly priced. See the WoolMark on it - the
trademark of pure wool in India.
- Take a Guarantee Card from the Shopkeeper, if
you are buying a Pashmina Shawl.
- Its best to buy Pashmina from Kashmir, but if
you are not able to do so, then buy from a Authentic Shop - never
from Roadside. Roadside Shopkeepers (except Kashmir and Ladakh),
never have Pashmina.
- The price range of Pashmina Shawls ranges from
Rs 4000/- and goes upto Rs 20,000/- as per the quality of wool and
silk. However, cushion Covers, Table Cloths, Stalls can come in a
price range of Rs 2000/-..
- Ask the local dealer for the current prices.
