Cashmere, alpaca and mohair are animal hair like ordinary wool, that is, they are all natural protein fibers. However, due to the scarcity of animals that produce these fibers, the prices of these special animal fibers are relatively high, especially with "soft gold" Cashmere, known as "fiber diamond", is more expensive. Different from wool, the thickness of the surface scales of special animal fibers is thinner than that of ordinary wool, and the density of the scales covering the hair shaft is smaller than that of wool. This results in a different feel between special animal fibers and wool: special animal fibers feel smooth, while wool is relatively smooth. It feels rough to the touch. It is precisely because of the "sameness" and "difference" between special animal fibers and wool that it is impossible to distinguish special animal fibers from wool using ordinary combustion methods and chemical dissolution methods. Only professionals can make identification with the help of a microscope.
Cashmere comes from the underlying fine hair of goats. Goats grow on alpine grasslands, such as Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Liaoning and other places in my country. my country is the world's largest cashmere producer, with cashmere production accounting for more than half of the world's total, among which cashmere from Inner Mongolia is the top grade. Cashmere fiber is characterized by its fineness and softness. Its fabric feels soft, smooth and waxy, with a soft luster. It is much lighter than wool fabrics of the same thickness, and is mostly suede style. Generally speaking, light-colored cashmere coats are mostly made from white velvet and are of better quality; while dark-colored cashmere coats are mostly made from purple velvet or blue velvet and are of lower quality.
Alpaca wool comes from an animal called the alpaca, which mainly grows in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The Andes Mountains are 4,500 meters above sea level, with a huge temperature difference between day and night, -20 to -18°C at night and 15 to 18°C during the day. The sun radiates strongly, the atmosphere is thin, the hail is cold and the wind is biting. The hair of alpacas living in such a harsh environment is of course able to withstand extreme temperature changes. Alpaca wool not only moisturizes, but also effectively resists solar radiation. Alpaca fiber contains medullary cavities visible under a microscope, so its thermal insulation properties are better than wool, cashmere and mohair.
In addition, alpaca fiber has more than 17 natural colors: from white to black, and a series of different shades of brown and gray. It is the fiber with the richest natural colors among special animal fibers. The "Albaka" we see in the market refers to alpaca wool; while "Suli" is a kind of alpaca wool and mostly refers to adult alpaca wool. It has long fibers and beautiful color; it is often said The "Beibei" is alpaca baby hair, which is relatively fine and soft in fiber. Alpaca fabric feels smooth and has excellent warmth retention properties.
Mohair refers to Angora goat hair, mainly produced in South Africa. It is characterized by thick fibers, small curls and good luster. The mohair fabric feels smooth and has a lustrous surface. Mohair and alpaca fabrics are mostly short-haired styles.