The market is crowded with viscose and polyester sold as "pashmina." Real fibre from the Changthangi goat feels different, drapes differently, and ages differently. Here is how to tell them apart without laboratory equipment.
Why authenticity matters
True Pashmina is combed, spun, and woven by hand. Each shawl represents weeks or months of labour. Fakes may look similar in a photograph but lack natural insulation and the subtle irregularities of handwork.
Five practical checks
- Touch. Authentic fibre feels warm and airy immediately — never slick like polyester.
- Weave. Hand-loomed cloth shows gentle variation. Machine fabric looks mechanically uniform.
- Warmth. Even a fine shawl retains heat disproportionate to its weight.
- Price. Genuine pieces are never bargain-bin cheap. Labour and fibre scarcity set a floor.
- Provenance. Look for GI tags, artisan attribution, and a seller who can explain origin.
The burn test (on a loose thread only) remains reliable: real hair fibre smells like burnt hair; synthetics smell like plastic. We do not recommend damaging a shawl you hope to keep.
What Soznique verifies
We work directly with named artisan partners rather than anonymous wholesalers. Each piece in our gallery is selected for fibre quality, finish, and documented craft lineage.