How to identify pure Pashmina. You've done it wrong throughout.

We have been travelling to different destinations in India to explore different places, cultures, practices and beliefs. There are still some parts of the country which is unexplored by the travelers. There is still a lot to know about this country, be it places, best places to stay, culture, beliefs or lifestyle. As travel bloggers we've been writing down all this, to create awareness among people about the mentioned topics.

We recently visited Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan. The city is rich in its culture, history and monuments. While exploring this city, we met a guy from Jaipur textiles industry who explained us few facts about Pasminas. They showed us some shawls and quilts made from Pasminas.

The quilt was of just 100 grams. 255 blocks are being used to print the design on the quilt. These quilts are washable. The weight of the Pashmina shawl was just 15 grams. The best part about using a Pashmina is, that it can be used in any temperature. one can use this in 0 degree temperature in winters to 40 degrees in summers. This is to say, you can use this in winters to cover yourself from the cold weather whereas, in summers you can use it to prevent yourself from tanning and sun burn.

Block printing

Blocks used for block printing

Further he explained us how to identify pure Pashmina. When you visit a shop to buy Pasmina they generally tell us to pass the cloth from the ring to test the purity of Pasmina but guess what, we've done it wrong throughout. This is not the ideal way of identifying the purity of Pashmina.

Here is the ideal way of testing its purity. You can take out a thread from the fringes, it won't harm the shawl or the design. You’ll have to see it burn and smell the odor as well as check the ashes with your finger tips. If you get a burnt-hair kind of odor and the ash turns out to be a powdery stuff, it is more likely to be pure. But in case it smells like the way burnt leaves would do and there are bigger flames consuming it up, then you’ve been cheated, it is viscose. Again, if it gives a vinegary odor or smell like burning plastic, with the ashes forming small lump, it too is the wrong stuff. It can be acrylic or polyester.

Next time if the seller tries to show the purity of Pasmina with the help of the ring, you know exactly what to do.