It is understandable if you become confused upon hearing the words cashmere and pashmina. They crop up in reference to several diverse products. Yet, in regards to women's scarves and shawls, these 2 words seem to increase the level of bewilderment. Clarification is called for. You need to understand the distinction, if one exists, between cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls.

The ultimate source of cashmere and pashmina is goat's hair. The products result from the same raw material. Yet, the term "cashmere" has certain associations. These are derived from the original source of the animals and the fabric - the northern border of India and NE Pakistan, Kashmir. In this much-disputed region, weavers have utilized the delicate undercoat to create garments - both cashmere and pashmina. They are both incredibly luxurious and extremely warm. In more recent times, the production of such fine and elegant products has moved across borders and into Tibet and China. In the high mountains, the hair actually has grown finer to provide increasing protection against the extreme cold.

The goats responsible for producing cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls possess a double fleece - an overcoat and a fine undercoat. The over or outer coat is unrefined while the undercoat or inner layer is fine and soft. With the coming of spring, the animals begin to shed. Goat herders help the process through shearing. They then sort the material, separating the finer under coat from the coarser outer layer. The finer "cashmere" layer - particularly those hairs from the belly and throat, are turned over to the weavers for further processing. Superior quality clothing rises out of the traditional methods of weaving.

Whether the result is a cashmere or pashmina scarf or shawl depends upon the specific thickness of the material used. The fibers of the fabric are described in microns. A single micron equals one millionth of a meter. Pashmina yarn consists of less than 15 microns in thickness while cashmere yarn is 19 microns. Yet, both cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls, if they are real and not fake, are made of 100% pure cashmere or pashmina yarn. Alternatively, the manufacturer will combine the specific yarn with silk. The quality standard is determined by the percentage of wool in the final product. The finest scarves and wools are 100% pure wool and fibers derived from the goat's throat and belly parts.

The natural color of cashmere or pashmina wool is the traditional brown, grey or white. Yet the fibers easily accept the dying process. The resultant colors provide you with a vast variety of stunning hues and shades - all incredible warm and strikingly soft. Transformed into 100% pure cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls, these wonderful accessories can transform with panache any outfit.