Cashmere is a very soft and luxurious type of wool that comes from a special breed of goats. These goats live in harsh, cold environments like the Himalayan mountains, Inner Mongolia, and Scotland. Their warm, thick undercoat is what cashmere is made from.
For centuries, people have loved cashmere because it is incredibly soft and warm. It is used to make cosy clothing items like scarves, sweaters, and blankets. However, cashmere is also very expensive – it is considered one of the most valuable and costly materials in the world.
The price of cashmere depends on several factors. The quality of the wool fibres, how rare the specific type of cashmere is, and the length and thickness of the fibres all affect the cost. The production process and location where the cashmere is made also play a role.
So if you want to buy high-quality, ethically-produced cashmere products, you should expect to pay a premium price. Therefore, consumers can expect to pay a high price for top-quality, sustainably made cashmere products.
In this blog, we’ll explore what makes certain types of cashmere so exceptionally valuable and costly.
Most Expensive Cashmere
Cashmere is an incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight type of wool that comes from cashmere goats. These goats have a downy undercoat that protects them from frigid temperatures and harsh climates. During the spring molting season, the soft undercoat fibers are carefully combed or shorn from the goats and then spun into luxurious cashmere yarn.
Cashmere is renowned for its exceptional softness, insulating warmth, and lightweight fluffy texture. The fibres have a diameter of just 1/3 the thickness of human hair, making cashmere feel incredibly smooth and delicate against the skin. This makes it a highly coveted material for cold-weather clothing and accessories.
While all genuine cashmere comes from cashmere goats, some different varieties and grades affect quality and price. The main types are:
Italian Cashmere
Italy is a producer of remarkably soft, opulent cashmere textile.
The quality comes from a perfect blend of the fine undercoat fibres carefully combed from cashmere goat breeds native to the Italian countryside.
Italian cashmere’s lush hand-feel and craftsmanship make it a luxury material for high-end scarves, sweaters and more.
Inner Mongolian Cashmere
Sourced from cashmere goats raised in the Inner Mongolia region of China, this type is prized for its warmth and durability
The fibres tend to be slightly thicker than delicate Himalayan cashmere. Still considered a high-end luxury fibre, Inner Mongolian cashmere is frequently used for premium sweaters, coats, and other clothing.
Himalayan Cashmere
This ultra-luxurious and rare variety comes from pashmina goats bred in the harsh, high-altitude regions of Ladakh in Kashmir, India.
Himalayan cashmere is renowned for being exceptionally soft and insulating thanks to the extreme cold the goats endure. The fibres are outstandingly fine, with some as thin as just 13 microns in diameter.
Due to its superior quality and scarcity, Himalayan cashmere ranks among the most expensive and coveted in the world.
Scottish Cashmere
Scotland’s cashmere industry is known for creating sturdy, heavy-weight cashmere ideal for cold, damp climates. The fibres have a thicker, more robust texture than ultrafine Himalayan or Italian varieties. Scottish mills transform their locally sourced cashmere into iconic tartan patterns and traditional knitwear like kilts and rugged sweaters.
Of these types, Himalayan cashmere is typically the rarest and most expensive due to its exceptional fineness. Italian and Inner Mongolian varieties are also premium luxury cashmere.
Scottish cashmere is slightly more affordable but still a high-quality cold-weather fibre. No matter the origin, look for high cashmere content and ethical, sustainable production.
Factors That Make Cashmere Expensive
Several key factors influence just how expensive a cashmere product will be. From the rarity of the goat breed to the production process, these elements directly impact the cost.
Rarity of the Cashmere Type
Some varieties of cashmere are much rarer and harder to source than others, which makes them more exclusive and drives up their cost.
Himalayan cashmere from remote regions like Ladakh is a prime example – only a limited supply is available each year. The scarcity adds to the prestige and perceived luxury value.
More commonly available types like Chinese or Italian cashmere tend to be less expensive since the supply is greater.
Fiber Length and Thickness
The actual quality of the cashmere fibres themselves greatly impacts pricing. Longer, thinner fibres under 19 microns in diameter are the most prized.
They can be spun into softer, lighter-weight, higher-quality yarns and fabrics.
Shorter, thicker fibres create a coarser, heavier textile. So the finer and longer the fibre, the more expensive that cashmere will be.
Purity Levels
The purity of the cashmere is also crucial for pricing. 100% pure, undiluted cashmere rates as the highest quality and most valuable.
However, some products blend in other, cheaper fibres like wool or silk to reduce costs. While still soft, blended cashmere doesn’t have the same ultra-luxurious feel and warmth as pure cashmere, so it commands lower prices.
The higher the cashmere percentage, the more expensive it is.
Production Methods and Origin
How and where the cashmere is produced affects the pricing too.
Ethically made, hand-crafted cashmere using sustainable traditional techniques is very labour-intensive, so it is priced higher. In contrast, industrialized, high-volume cashmere production methods are more cost-effective.
Cashmere from high-cost regions like Europe is also pricier than cashmere made in lower-cost areas like Asia.
So in essence, the rarer, finer, purer and more meticulously crafted a cashmere product is, the higher its price tag will be. Consumers have to consider all these factors determining quality and exclusivity.
Cashmere Quality Grades
Cashmere is a very luxurious and highly prized natural fibre that is used to make premium clothing and accessories.
But not all cashmere is created equal – there is a grading system to categorize the quality based on how fine, long, and colour the fibres are.
The grades range from the top Grade A down to the lowest Grade C.
- Grade A Cashmere is the finest and most desirable. The fibre diameter is 19 microns or thinner, which makes it outstandingly soft and lightweight. The fibres are also very long and consistent in length, making them ideal for spinning into delicate, high-quality yarns.
- Grade A is reserved for true luxury items like designer apparel, expensive accessories, and plush blankets.
- Grade B Cashmere is just slightly coarser, with fibre diameters between 19-22 microns. It’s not quite as soft as Grade A but still considered excellent quality. Grade B is commonly used for premium sweaters, scarves, shawls and other accessories.
- Grade C Cashmere has the thickest fibers over 22 microns in diameter. The fibres tend to be shorter too, so they don’t feel as luxuriously soft. However, Grade C is still used for more affordable cashmere products like hats, gloves, and basic blankets.
Other Factors
There are some other factors that affect how fine the cashmere quality is. This includes the age and breed of the cashmere goat, the geographic region where it was sourced, and the processing methods used. Younger goats produce the softest, most delicate fibres.
Certain breeds and regions are renowned for their superior cashmere. And gently processing the raw fibre helps preserve its natural softness and lustre.
So, Which is The Most Expensive Cashmere?
The most expensive cashmere is typically Himalayan Cashmere, also known as Ladakhi Cashmere. This premium cashmere comes from Pashmina goats in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh in Kashmir and is produced only once a year.
Its exceptional softness, warmth, and fine fibres—sometimes as thin as 13 microns—make it highly sought after.
The harsh weather conditions in these regions contribute to the superior quality of the fibers, making Himalayan cashmere the most luxurious, expensive, and rarest type on the market.
In The Nut Shell!
True luxury cashmere is an investment in exceptional natural beauty and craftsmanship, from ultra-fine Himalayan fibers to heritage Italian weaving techniques. While premium varieties can be pricey, ethical sourcing and responsible production ensure an authentic, high-quality product.
For the ultimate in cashmere luxury, look no further than Om Cashmeres, based in Nepal. Each heirloom-quality Om Cashmeres piece is expertly hand-loomed using ancient techniques, preserving the rich traditions of Napalese craftsmanship.
From lightweight shawls and sweaters to warm throws, their consciously crafted offerings capture India’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Om Cashmeres delivers unparalleled quality and softness while supporting the livelihoods of Nepal’s nomadic cashmere communities.
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