The Difference Between Sheep Wool and Goat Cashmere
2024-10-20
Goat cashmere is the fine undercoat that grows on goats, specifically the cashmere goat, known for its excellent warmth and moisture absorption. The fiber diameter ranges from 14-17 microns with a length of 30-45 millimeters. Goat cashmere fibers are composed of a cortex and scales, and the cross-section of the fiber is cylindrical. A single goat produces about 75 grams of dehaired cashmere annually, meaning it takes the yearly yield of five goats to make just one standard cashmere sweater. Cashmere products include sweaters, pants, skirts, and scarves. Visually, cashmere has a natural sheen and a soft, rich texture. It is soft, light, warm, smooth, and elastic, earning it the nicknames "fiber gem" and "soft gold."
Sheep do not produce cashmere, and therefore there are no sheep cashmere sweaters. What sheep produce is wool, which is more abundant and coarser, with a fiber diameter of 20-40 microns and a length of 50-200 millimeters. Sheep wool is used in both coarse and fine spinning processes to create products such as overcoats, uniforms, blankets, bouclé, and wool sweaters.
Goat cashmere" and "sheep wool" are two fundamentally different products in terms of intrinsic quality, with the former generally costing five times as much as the latter.
Types of Cashmere Products
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Cashmere features fine, smooth fibers with natural luster, superior warmth, and elasticity. It's sensitive to chemical treatments but offers excellent comfort and durability in knitwear, making it a premium material in fashion.
Characteristics of Cashmere
Cashmere is classified by type—white, cyan, and purple—with each having distinct origins, features, and quality metrics. White cashmere from Inner Mongolia is renowned for its fine texture and high quality. Cyan and purple cashmere, although less common, are valued for their unique colors and strong fibers. Each type suits different uses in the fashion industry, reflecting varied market demands.
Types of Cashmere Products