What is Cashmere: The Guide to Identifying High and Low-Quality Cashmere
Known for crafting some of the finest cashmere garments, Offbeat 1 prides itself on utilizing 100% Mongolian cashmere. We're dedicated to creating not only luxurious but also enduring pieces. As the market fills with a myriad of substandard products, understanding what cashmere is, and distinguishing between high and low-quality cashmere has become essential. This guide will help you to recognize the quality of your cashmere, ensuring you invest in pieces that are both exclusive and extravagant.
What is High-Quality Cashmere? Understanding Cashmere Grades
Cashmere, one of the most prized natural products in the fashion industry, can vary significantly in quality. Factors like the region of origin, the season, and even the age, size, and breed of the Cashmere goat it comes from all play a role. Cashmere quality is determined through grading, based on the thickness and length of the hairs on the fiber. Ranging from A to C, Grade A is the pinnacle of quality (and also the priciest). High-grade cashmere is famous for its feather-light, silky properties, retains its shape better, and offers a superior tactile experience, making it a worthy investment over cheaper alternatives.
Grade A:
The top-tier cashmere, Grade A fibers are the longest and thinnest. The diameter can be as little as 14-15.5 microns with a length of 34- 36mm. At Offbeat 1, we consistently use Grade A cashmere to craft exceptional, enduring products.
Grade B:
Thicker and not as plush as Grade A, with a diameter of 19 microns. Despite being less valuable and durable compared to Grade A, Grade B is still high-grade cashmere.
Grade C:
This grade represents the lowest quality cashmere, with fibers that are considerably thicker, around 30 microns in diameter. Although much cheaper, Grade C cashmere isn't nearly as soft.
What is Low-Quality Cashmere? Tips to Distinguish High from Low Quality
Price can often hint at the quality of cashmere, but it's not always an accurate indicator. High-quality cashmere pieces come with a fair price tag, reflecting their superior craftsmanship, luxuriousness, and longevity. To confirm you're purchasing high-quality cashmere, consider these tips:
Check the Label:
Genuine cashmere products, like ours at Offbeat 1, should have a label that reads 100% cashmere. If the label lists other materials, you're dealing with a 'blend,' and it cannot legally be labeled as 100% cashmere. This also applies to any products advertising a 'cashmere feel' or 'cashmere touch'.
Feel for Quality:
High-quality cashmere is light and exceptionally soft. Compare the feel with a lower-grade cashmere garment to notice the difference. To test, hold the cashmere in your hand, or run it over a sensitive area like the underside of your chin or inner arm. Rough, itchy fabric might indicate low-quality cashmere.
Structure & Craftsmanship:
The stretch of the cashmere and the craftsmanship on the garment can indicate its quality. High-quality cashmere retains its shape even after multiple wears and hand-washing. Try stretching a small portion of the fabric—if it 'bounces back', it's good quality. Low-quality cashmere might sag or lose its shape over time. High-quality cashmere also features 2-ply construction (made with two strands of cashmere yarn), with uniform, closely-spaced, flat seams.
Color & Treatment:
Incorrect treatment during dyeing and manufacturing can degrade the fabric, making it rough and lowering its quality. This may be more noticeable on darker-colored garments. To ensure timeless, exquisite cashmere pieces, always shop for high-quality garments made with pure, 100% cashmere.
Understanding what cashmere is and the varying quality tiers ensures you make an informed investment in this luxurious fiber. Shop our collection of authentic 100% cashmere jumpers for men and women's pashminas and accessories at Offbeat 1 today. Learn more about our story and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality from start to finish, assuring unrivaled luxury and longevity in every piece. Shop our collection of authentic 100% cashmere jumpers for men and women's pashminas and accessories at Offbeat 1 today. Learn more about our story and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality from start to finish, assuring unrivaled luxury and longevity in every piece.