Whether you are a clothing retailer, or just simply a cashmere lover, you must have wondered about the grade of your cashmere. Does your cashmere product worth the money you spent?
Cashmere is one of the most luxurious and coveted natural fabrics in the world. It is renowned for its softness, warmth, and durability. But not all cashmere is created equal. Back in the time, only people from the upper class of society can afford cashmere due to its scarcity. Nowadays, the price of cashmere became more acceptable, more and more people starting to step in the cashmere industry. However, there are different grades of cashmere that reflect the quality and price of the material, some people determine the quality of cashmere by its price tag, but the does the price always reflects the true quality?
In this blog post, we will explain how to grade your cashmere and what to look for when buying cashmere products.
What are Cashmere Grades?
Cashmere grades are based on the fineness, length, as well as types of cashmere goats the fibers were originated from that make up the cashmere yarn. The finer and longer the fibers, the rarer the cashmere goat, the higher the grade and quality of the cashmere. There are three main grades of cashmere: A, B, C.
Grade A Cashmere
Grade A is the finest and the most expensive grade of cashmere due to its fiber strength despite its thinness. Fibers need to be below 15.8 microns diameter and a maximum of 36 millimeters in length in order to be classified as Grade A. Grade A cashmere is very soft, smooth, light weight, and durable. It also has a natural sheen and a rich colour.
Grade B Cashmere
Grade B is the middle grade of cashmere. Its fibers have a maximum of 16.5 microns in diameter and around 30 millimeters in length. Grade B cashmere is still soft and warm, but not as smooth or shiny as Grade A. It is also less durable and more prone to pilling.
Grade C Cashmere
Grade C is the lowest and cheapest grade of cashmere. Its fibers are usually 30 microns or even thicker in diameter, and around 20 millimeters or shorter in length. Grade C cashmere is coarse, dull, heavy, and weak. It is often blended with other materials to reduce the cost and improve the appearance.
When purchasing cashmere products, you should always check the label to see if it specifies the grade of cashmere used. However, not all labels are accurate or reliable, some manufacturers may use lower grades of cashmere but label them as higher grades to charge their customers more. Therefore, knowing how to examine the quality of cashmere yourself would be useful for your purchase experience.
How to Identify the Quality of Cashmere?
Feel the Texture:
Instead of rough, coarse, or scratchy, premium quality cashmere should feel soft, smooth, and silky to the touch. In addition, it should have a slight elasticity and bounce back when stretched, not sag or lose its shape.
Observe the Surface:
Quality cashmere should have a fine and even knit, not a loose or uneven one. It should also have a slight sheen or luster, instead of a dull or matte appearance. What's more, the high quality cashmere should only have a minimal amount of fluffiness or fuzziness.
Check the Weight:
The good cashmere should be lightweight but warm, not heavy or bulky. It should also be breathable and comfortable, not stifling or sweaty.
Compare the Price:
Quality cashmere should be reasonably priced but not too cheap, as you get what you pay for. If a cashmere product is suspiciously cheap, it is not 100% for sure, but has a high possibility of a sign of low quality or fake cashmere.
Cashmere is one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world, but not all cashmere is created equal. To avoid overpaying for low-quality cashmere or getting scammed by over-priced cashmere, it is important to understand how to assess its grade. Choosing the best cashmere for you needs and preferences instead of choosing the most expensive one. Cashmere is a great investment that can spice up your wardrobe, as well as your lifestyle.
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