Difference between Cashmere and Pashmina (With Table)

When it comes to fashion, many people are keen on what they are putting on to maintain their stylish nature. The material used to make the clothing you are wearing adds to your stylish look.

There are various materials used to make clothes. Some of them include cashmere and pashmina which are often confused for one another.

Both are used to make shawls and are soft. When worn they are very comfortable to the skin hence people use the names interchangeably. Both are considered luxurious worldwide.

So, what is the main difference between cashmere and pashmina? Cashmere is of low quality and not very fine while pashmina is of high quality, very fine, and softer.

If you would like to know more differences between cashmere and pashmina in tabular form, continue reading the article. You will also get to learn of the similarities between the two.

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Comparison Table (Cashmere vs Pashmina)

Basic Terms	Cashmere	Pashmina
Definition	It is a type of fine and soft wool used to make yarn, textile, and clothing.	It is a type of very fine, softer, and high-quality wool used to make yarn, textile, and clothing.
Where obtained form	It is obtained from various types of Himalayan goats.	It is obtained from one specific type of Himalayan goat known as changthangi goats.
Texture	It is coarse in texture.	It is very fine and softer in texture.
Diameter	It has a diameter of between 16 and 19 microns.	It has a diameter of between 10 to 16 microns.
Preparation	It is comparatively easier to spin.	It is difficult to spin.
Availability	It is more widely available.	It is not easily found.
Price	It is less expensive.	It is more expensive.

What is Cashmere?

It is a type of fine and soft wool used to make yarns, textiles, and clothing. It originated in India and later on moved to European countries.

It is made from the hair of goats. It is obtained from different breeds of Himalayan goats such as Malra breed of India, changthangi goat of changthang plateau.

The wool is gathered during the spring season when the goats shed their undercoats. The wool undergoes many steps such as separation, cleaning, combining, and reaching before preparation for its final use.

The wool is stronger, finer, lighter, and three times more insulating than the sheep wool. It is especially used in making scarves and sweaters.

What is Pashmina?

It is a very fine, softer, and high-quality type of wool that is used for making yarns, textile, and clothing. It is often confused with cashmere although it is a type of cashmere.

They are made from a specific Himalayan goat breed known as changthangi goat which is native to the high plateau of Ladakh of India.

The area experiences a long winter season and this makes the goats grow delicate and exceptionally warm wool as an undercoat.

As it is obtained from only one specific kind of Himalayan goat, it makes it rare to be found and in case it is found then it becomes very expensive.

It is softer and finer than cashmere hence it is the finest grade of cashmere. It requires an expert to exactly know the difference between cashmere and pashmina.

It has a diameter of between 10 to 16 microns and this makes it difficult to spin. Most of the time it is spun using hands and not a machine.

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Main Differences between Cashmere and Pashmina

Cashmere is a type of wool that is coarse while pashmina is a type of wool that is softer and fine.
Cashmere is obtained from any Himalayan breed of a goat while pashmina is obtained from a specific Himalayan goat breed.
Cashmere is of low quality while pashmina is of high quality.
Cashmere is comparatively easier to spin while pashmina is difficult to spin.
Cashmere is found worldwide easily while pashmina is rarely found.
Cashmere is a little bit cheaper while pashmina is more expensive.

Similarities between Cashmere and Pashmina

Both are obtained from Himalayan goats.
Both are luxurious outfits.
Both are fine and soft.
Both are used to make shawls and scarves.

Conclusion

Cashmere and pashmina have always been confused by people. Both are obtained from Himalayan goat breeds although pashmina is obtained from a specific goat breed known as changthangi goat.

Pashmina is considered to be a finer grade of cashmere. It requires an expert to distinguish between cashmere and pashmina.

The main difference between cashmere and pashmina is that cashmere is coarse and of low quality, while pashmina is softer, fine, and of high quality.

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