Pashmina & Shawls

What is a genuine pashmina shawl made of?
Genuine pashmina comes from the fine undercoat of the Changthangi goat, found in the high-altitude Ladakh and Himalayan region. It's hand-combed, not sheared, and hand-spun into yarn before being handwoven into a shawl. No synthetic fiber is added in a true 100% pashmina.

How can I tell if a pashmina is real?
A genuine pashmina shawl passes the ring test (it can be pulled through a ring), feels warm rather than cool to the touch, and shows slight natural irregularities in the weave since it's handwoven. Machine-made or synthetic shawls are stiffer, shinier, and perfectly uniform. Read our full guide on spotting a genuine pashmina shawl.

What is the difference between pashmina and cashmere?
Cashmere is the raw wool fiber itself. Pashmina refers to the finest grade of cashmere, traditionally hand-spun and handwoven by Kashmiri artisans into a finished shawl. All pashmina is cashmere, but not all cashmere products are pashmina.

Why is pashmina so expensive?
Each goat yields only a small amount of usable fiber per year, and hand-spinning and hand-weaving a single shawl can take weeks. The scarcity of raw material combined with the skilled labor involved is what drives the price.

Ordering & Shipping

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to customers outside Pakistan, including overseas Pakistanis and international collectors. Contact us directly for shipping rates and delivery times to your country.

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major payment methods through our online store, along with Cash on Delivery for orders within Pakistan.

Can I visit your physical store?
Yes, Royal Orientals has been operating from Lahore since 1999, with English-speaking staff and fixed pricing, welcoming tourists, diplomats, and collectors.

Care & Authenticity

How do I care for my pashmina shawl?
Dry clean only, or gently hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent and lay flat to dry. Avoid wringing or hanging, which can stretch the delicate fibers.

Do you guarantee authenticity?
Every pashmina shawl we sell is sourced through direct relationships with Kashmiri artisans and comes with our authenticity guarantee, backed by over 25 years in business.

Still have a question? Contact us and we'll be happy to help.