What Is Mongolian Cashmere?
What is Mongolian cashmere?
A simple guide to Mongolian cashmere, where it comes from, and what makes it special.
Mongolian cashmere comes from the incredibly soft undercoat of cashmere goats raised in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. The region’s intensely cold winters help the goats grow a fine, dense layer of fiber for warmth — the same fiber that becomes the cashmere sweaters you know and love.
Where “Mongolian” comes from
Despite the name, Mongolian cashmere can come from two places: Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of northern China.
Both are known for the cold, high-altitude conditions that help cashmere goats develop the exceptionally fine undercoat prized for its softness and warmth.
Quince cashmere is sourced from Inner Mongolia, a region renowned for producing exceptionally fine cashmere fibers.
Why the climate affects the fiber
The undercoat has to keep a goat alive through extremely cold winters at high altitude. That climate produces a fine, dense undercoat — which is the fiber that becomes cashmere.
Cashmere goats grow a soft undercoat that helps keep them warm in cold weather, which is the same fiber that gets spun into yarn. This is part of why cashmere from cold, high-altitude regions is finer than cashmere from more moderate climates.
How the fiber gets from goat to sweater
The undercoat is combed out by hand each spring. Each goat yields only a small amount of fine fiber a year.
The process:
• Combing. The fine undercoat is combed out during the natural spring shed. Combing yields cashmere; shearing produces a mix of undercoat and guard hair that has to be separated later.
• Dehairing. The fine undercoat is separated from coarser guard hair.
• Sorting. Fibers are sorted by length and diameter.
• Spinning. The sorted fiber is spun into yarn, single-ply or plied depending on the intended weight.
The economics of cashmere reflect that small yield, which is part of why cashmere costs more than other wools.
Origin plus specifications
Origin is a useful quality signal, but combining it with published micron count and fiber length gives a fuller picture.
Origin tells you the fiber came from a climate that produces finer cashmere. Micron count tells you how a specific sweater will feel. Fiber length affects how it wears over time. All three together give you the clearest sense of what you’re buying.
Quince Mongolian cashmere: sourced from Inner Mongolia, measured at 15.8 to 16.2 microns in diameter, with a 34 to 36 millimeter fiber length. The cashmere-quality guide covers what those specifications mean.
What to check before you buy
Origin, micron count, and fiber length — when all three are published, you have enough information to compare.
• Origin. “Inner Mongolia” or “Mongolia” named specifically. “Sourced from Asia” isn’t very informative.
• Micron count. Under 19 microns is finer cashmere.
• Fiber length. 34mm or longer holds up well over time.
Not every brand publishes all three. When they do, you can compare cashmere sweaters more directly.
ALL YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
What is Mongolian cashmere?
What is Mongolian cashmere?
Mongolian cashmere is the fine undercoat of cashmere goats raised in Inner Mongolia (an autonomous region of northern China) or the neighboring country of Mongolia. Both regions sit at high altitude and drop to −40°F in winter — a climate that produces a fine, dense undercoat.
Where does Mongolian cashmere come from?
Where does Mongolian cashmere come from?
Most Mongolian cashmere comes from Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of northern China with the longest herding tradition and a large share of fine-tier fiber production. Some also comes from the country of Mongolia to the north. Both are called “Mongolian cashmere” in trade.
Why is Mongolian cashmere considered high quality?
Why is Mongolian cashmere considered high quality?
The climate produces a fine undercoat. Cashmere goats have to survive winters at 5,000 feet and −40°F, and their undercoat grows dense and fine as a result. Finer undercoats feel softer to the touch when spun into yarn.
How is Mongolian cashmere made?
How is Mongolian cashmere made?
The undercoat is combed out by hand each spring, then dehaired to separate fine undercoat from coarser guard hair, sorted by diameter and length, and spun into yarn. Each goat yields only a small amount of fine fiber a year.
Is Inner Mongolia cashmere the same as Mongolian cashmere?
Is Inner Mongolia cashmere the same as Mongolian cashmere?
Not quite — they’re different regions, though the trade term “Mongolian cashmere” covers both. Inner Mongolia is a Chinese autonomous region and produces most of the world’s finer cashmere. Mongolia is the independent country to the north. Both raise cashmere goats in the same broad climate zone.
How can I tell if cashmere is really Mongolian?
How can I tell if cashmere is really Mongolian?
Look for clear information about where the cashmere was sourced. Traceability information can help support the origin claim, while fiber diameter and length offer separate clues about softness and durability (but don’t establish where the cashmere came from).
