If you have ever treated yourself to a luxury scarf or shawl, you have probably encountered the words Pashmina and Cashmere, often sitting side by side — sometimes even thrown together as though they were interchangeable. Understanding the difference is essential for anyone who values authenticity, craftsmanship, and heritage.
Here is the truth: all Pashmina is Cashmere, but not all Cashmere is Pashmina. If Cashmere is a very good sparkling wine, Pashmina is Champagne — a protected title, earned only when place, process, and quality all align. Knowing the difference is not about snobbery. It is about respecting both the craftsmanship behind the cloth and your own sense of discernment.
What Exactly is Cashmere?
Cashmere wool comes from Cashmere goats found in Mongolia, China, Nepal, and parts of India. It is valued for its softness, warmth, and lightness and has rightly earned its place as a luxury fibre.
With fibres measuring 16 to 19 microns, Cashmere is far finer than standard wool, which is part of its appeal. However, the term “Cashmere” covers a vast range of qualities. It can be hand-spun and handwoven by artisans — or machine-processed on an industrial scale. Cashmere, like wine, ranges from single-vineyard excellence to supermarket blends.
The word “Cashmere” guarantees nothing more than the fibre’s source. It says nothing about how well the fibre was handled, how thoughtfully it was woven, or whether the result is worthy of the name at all.
And What is Pashmina?
Now, Pashmina is a different story altogether. Pashmina is not just Cashmere’s finer cousin — it is Cashmere elevated to an art form.
To earn the name Pashmina, a shawl must meet three strict criteria that have nothing to do with marketing fluff and everything to do with heritage and skill.
First, the wool must come from the Chyangra goat, a rare breed found high in the Himalayas of Ladakh and Nepal. These goats, living at 12,000 feet or higher, grow a remarkably fine undercoat to survive the brutal cold. Their fibres measure between 12 and 16 microns, making Pashmina finer than standard Cashmere — not by a whisker, but by a world.
Second, the wool used in Pashmina must be hand-spun and handwoven in Kashmir, as this is essential to its unique quality. For centuries, Kashmiri artisans have refined techniques that maintain the fiber’s natural softness and drape. Unlike machines, which simply follow instructions, artisans listen to the fiber, resulting in one-of-a-kind shawls that carry the signature of their makers.
Finally, authentic Kashmiri Pashmina is protected by Geographical Indication (GI) status. This is no empty legal footnote. It ensures that only shawls made in Kashmir from genuine Chyangra wool using time-honoured techniques can legally bear the name Pashmina. Anything else — no matter how soft or how tempting the price — is simply not Pashmina.
Softness and Warmth: A Masterclass in Fineness
Why does all of this matter? Because the difference is something you can feel.
Pashmina’s extra-fine fibres bend more easily, which gives the fabric its signature buttery softness. These same fine fibres trap more air, which means that Pashmina offers exceptional warmth despite its weightlessness.
Cashmere, lovely as it is, tends to feel denser and more structured, especially when it has been machine-spun and tightly woven. Both fabrics are luxurious — but Pashmina wears like a whisper, Cashmere like a hug.
Craftsmanship: Where Skill Becomes Signature
This is where the story deepens. Cashmere can be spun and woven by hand or machine. It depends entirely on how much attention—or haste—the producer wants to apply.
Pashmina, however, leaves no room for shortcuts. Every authentic Pashmina shawl is:
- Hand-combed from the Chyangra goat, ensuring only the softest, finest fibres are taken.
- Hand-spun into yarn on a traditional charkha, where speed is never the goal.
Handwoven on a wooden loom, the weaver works by instinct as much as by skill. - Hand-finished, with optional sozni embroidery, where needle and thread move so delicately you might miss the stitch entirely.
This is not production — this is creation. And it shows.
Photo 1 Traditional Pashmina handloom in Srinagar, Kashmir
Pashmina as Cultural Heirloom
In Kashmir, a Pashmina shawl is never just a scarf. It is a wedding gift, an inheritance from mother to daughter, and an offering to honoured guests. It is woven with respect and treated with reverence.
This is why Kashmiri Pashmina holds Geographical Indication status. That label is not about marketing — it is about protecting the soul of a culture.
All Pashmina is Cashmere, But Not All Cashmere is Pashmina
Cashmere is a luxury fabric, while pashmina is a unique cultural item. It combines fiber, craftsmanship, and living heritage.
If you find a “pashmina” for $30, you should be aware of its true value. Real pashmina, like real champagne, is not cheap because it has a rich history and is made by skilled hands.
When you buy authentic pashmina, you are not just getting softness or warmth. You are investing in artistry, culture, and a story that has existed for a long time and will continue for many years to come.
–
