Why is Pashmina Expensive?

Pashmina is a kind of cashmere wool made using Persian pashm (wool) taken out from a common type of goat mostly found in high elevations of the Himalayan region “Chyangra.” The Pashmina is also known as ‘Soft Gold’ in Persian and is the softest, highly delicate, and fluffy fiber. 

Pashmina is the most exquisite and most delicate fabric ever found in the world. A Pashmina can be understood as a shawl, scarf, or stole produced from the Pashmina wool. Usually, the pashminas made in Kashmir, India, are known as cashmere pashmina, and those produced in Nepal are known as Pashmina or pure Pashmina. 

Pashmina shawls or scarfs are lightweight, soft, and warm and can be matched with any clothing. The features mentioned above make it more desirable but expensive than the other scarfs and shawls made using lamb’s wool. 

Why is Pashmina Expensive?

Procurement Process

The wool used for making Pashmina fabric is mainly found in Himalayan goats, called Chyangra, found in high elevations of the mountain region. Each year during the spring, their wools are weaved and collected for the process of making wool. 

A single Pashmina shawl requires about three goats because one goat can only produce few grams of Pashmina each spring. This is why the Pashmina prices go way high than regular wool. 

Purity

A high-quality Pashmina is light-weighted, soft, and warm. The pashminas are the finest wools measuring about 14-16 microns, while the sheep or lamb’s wool is about 23 microns. 

So the purity of a Pashmina is measured by passing it through a wedding ring. A fine thread provides more incredible warmth as real Pashminas are soft and warm to touch.

Hand-Woven Products

A high-quality and authentic Pashmina is hand-weaved using the finest of thread. Pashminas are made by talented weavers who put their highest level of skills giving grace and glory to the final product.

One pashmina shawl can take about a week to years to complete depending on its size and quality. Since it is hand-woven, the price can rise compared to machine-made products. 

Legacy

Pashminas are like royalty to whoever wears them due to their quality, richness, and legacy ever since their existence. The expensive fabric was worn and adorned by kings and queens in the past, and now many famous persons and celebrities wear them. 

Due to the great legacy from ancient times, the Pashmina products are pretty expensive. 

High Demand and Less Supply

Due to the increased popularity of Pashmina, the demand has gradually increased. Since there are only limited weavers who can make quality Pashmina, the product’s supply is decreasing. The lower number of weavers is due to the lack of facilities, infrastructure, and good income.

High demand for a good product with less supply always results in an increased product price.

Extinction of Chyangra Goats

The goats which produce the Pashmina are only found in the Himalayas region. Because they are challenging to manage and people have low incomes, the number of Goats is gradually decreasing. This causes a decrease in the production of Pashmina wool and increases in the price of Pashmina.

Time-consuming and Long Process

Producing a pashmina shawl is a long process and consumes more time than other industrial products. And since there are a limited number of weavers and industries for making Pashmina products, only a limited number of products are produced in a long time. So, this is also a good reason for the high price of Pashmina in the market.

Pashmina is an authentic and highest quality product when it comes to clothing. Preferred by many, the Pashmina products are only affordable by a few because all good things come at a reasonable price. Pashmina has gained popularity for a long time and created a legacy in the world market, attracting many, causing the demand to increase. So, when the demand lowers at some point in time, the price might decrease slightly or remain static for a prolonged period.

Due to the increase in demand, there are various places where low-quality Pashminas are sold at relatively lower prices. So, you must always be careful when buying a Pashmina and not be impressed by a fake one. A quality test can always be done before buying by looking at the softness and richness of the Pashmina and even do the wedding ring test.