How to identify if the pashmina shawl you are buying is genuine

Pashmina is one of the world’s finest and most luxurious fibres, but the market is full of imitations. Knowing what to look for can help ensure you’re buying an authentic piece of Kashmiri craftsmanship. (unsplash)

Burn Test: Genuine Pashmina is pure animal fibre. When a loose thread is burned, it smells like burnt hair and turns into a soft ash. Fake fibres melt or form hard plastic like beads. (wikihow)

Check the Label and GI Certification: Authentic Pashmina from Kashmir may carry a GI (Geographical Indication) tag. Look for certifications from Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar. Lack of labels doesn’t always mean fake, but certifications help verify authenticity. (CDI Srinagar official website)

Check the Fringe Ends: In a genuine Pashmina, the fringes are hand twisted from the actual weave. Machine made shawls often have uniform, stitched, or glued fringes. (unsplash)

Observe the Price and Source: Real Pashmina is expensive due to labour intensive hand spinning and limited raw wool. Extremely low prices are a red flag. Always buy from reputable, verified Kashmiri artisans or certified stores.

The Ring Test: A pure, finely woven Pashmina often passes through a small ring. But many imitations also pass this test use it only as a supportive check. (unsplash)

Check the Softness and Warmth: True Pashmina feels feathery soft, lightweight, and warm even in thin weaves. Synthetic blends feel smoother or slippery and may not retain warmth. (unplash)

Look For Weave Irregularities: Handwoven Pashmina has tiny irregularities because it’s crafted on traditional looms. Machine-made shawls have a perfect, uniform pattern. (unsplash)