100% Vicuna Shawl

Yes, that really is the price. See why below...

This 100% Vicuna Shawl is made of the finest animal fiber in the world. Luxurious Vicuna is extremely light, amazingly soft, and provides unrivaled warmth. The shawl comes in a wooden box and includes a CITES certificate proving the fiber came from government controlled shearing operations on live animals. When we visited the mills the Vicuna processing section was in a glass walled room with security guards due to the value of the fiber. In Inca times, only royalty could wear such amazing fiber. Limited quantities of fiber are available each year adding to the mystique of this amazing animal. 73" long x 28" wide and 6.9 ounces.

Vicuņa wool

The wool is popular due to its warmth. Its warming properties come from the tiny scales that are on the hollow air-filled fibres. It causes them to interlock and trap insulating air. At the same time, it is finer than any other wool in the world, measuring 12 micrometers in diameter, but since it is sensitive to chemical treatment, the wool is usually left in its natural color.

However, the vicuņa will only produce about one pound of wool a year and gathering it requires a certain process. During the time of the Incas, vicuņa fibres were gathered by means of communal efforts called chacu, in which multitudes of people herded hundreds of thousands of vicuņa into previously laid funnel traps. The animals were sheared and then released; this was only done once every four years. The vicuņa was believed to be the reincarnation of a beautiful young maiden who received a coat of pure gold once she consented to the advances of an old, ugly king. Because of this, it was against the law for anyone to kill a vicuņa or wear its fleece, except for Inca royalty.

At present, the Peruvian government has a labeling system that identifies all garments that have been created through a government sanctioned chacu. This guarantees that the animal was captured, sheared alive, returned to the wild, and cannot be sheared again for another two years. The program also ensures that a large portion of the profits return to the villagers.

Current prices for vicuņa yarns and fabrics can range from $1,800 to $3,000 per yard. Vicuņa fibre can be used for apparel (such as socks, sweaters, accessories, shawls, coats, and suits) and home fashion (such as blankets and throws). A scarf costs around $1500 while a man's coat can cost up to $20,000.

reference: Wikipedia - Vicuņa

Size: 73" long x 28" wide and 6.9 ounces.

Colors: Black (not shown), Camel

Materials: 100% Vicuna