How To Check Authentic Pashmina: Pashmina shawl is famous all over the world for its soft, light and warm fabric. Its specialty is its delicate weave method and premium wool, which makes it extremely soft and comfortable. Due to such popularity, fake and adulterated shawls are easily available in the market. It can be difficult for common buyers to differentiate between genuine and fake. Therefore, correct information and tips are very important while buying shawls. If you know how to identify a genuine Pashmina shawl, then you can avoid fraud and choose the perfect shawl for yourself or as a gift.
How to recognize genuine pashmina shawl-
1. Burn Test:
Genuine pashmina is made entirely of animal fibres. If any loose thread of it is burnt, it smells like burnt hair and it turns into soft ash. Fake fibers melt when burned or have a hard, plastic-like pearlescent texture. This is one of the most reliable tests.
2. Check Labels and GI Certification:
Genuine pashmina shawls from Kashmir often have the GI (Geographical Indication) tag. Apart from this, you can also check the certificate from Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar. Although the absence of a label is not always a guarantee of counterfeit, certification confirms authenticity.
3. Check the threads at the edge of the shawl
In genuine pashmina, the threads at the edge of the shawl are folded by hand instead of straight weaving, so they look slightly natural and irregular. Machine-made shawls have uniform fringes that may be stitched or glued. If the threads on the edge look very uniform and perfect, then be alert, it may be a fake shawl.
4. View Price:
Genuine pashmina is expensive because it requires more labor to make it and the raw wool is limited. Be cautious if you find a shawl very cheap. Always buy from trusted Kashmiri artisan or certified stores.
5. Ring Test:
Genuine, finely woven pashmina can easily pass through a small ring. But note, many counterfeit shoes also pass this test, so use it only as a secondary test.
6. Look for softness and warmth:
Genuine pashmina is very light, soft and warm. Synthetic blends often feel smooth or slippery and do not retain heat.
7. Weave Check:
Slight imperfections are visible in hand weaving, which are proof of its traditional design. Machine made shawls are completely uniform and have regular patterns.
By keeping these easy methods in mind, you can identify genuine pashmina shawls and avoid fake ones.
