➪  What is Shahtoosh Wool ?

Shahtoosh or Shatoosh ?

The difference in spelling can be attributed to different transliterations of Hindi into English.

We are often asked about the origin of the wool used for our pashminas. Some even ask whether they are made from shahtoosh wool. It's important to clarify that, while pure pashmina is made from the fine undercoat of Himalayan goats, shahtoosh (or shatoosh) comes from the neck and chest hair of Tibetan antelopes, known as Chirus.

The word "shahtoosh" comes from Persian "Sha-tus," meaning "wool of kings," in reference to the exceptional fineness of its fibers (9 microns). "Sha" means "king" and "tus" means "wool." In comparison, pashmina derives from "Pashmīnâh," meaning "warm wool" (14 microns), where "Pashm" means wool and "īnâh" refers to warmth.

Chiru antelopes live in the high-altitude plateaus of the Himalayas, at elevations up to 4,500 meters. They have developed extremely fine and warm wool under their neck and belly to withstand the freezing temperatures. However, these animals cannot be domesticated and must be killed to harvest the wool.

In the 20th century, the Chiru population was estimated at over 2 million. Due to mass poaching, that number fell to just 75,000. Although domestication has been attempted, it failed. To protect this endangered species, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banned the trade of shahtoosh in 1979 — along with ivory, tiger parts, and rhino horn.

Despite the ban, shahtoosh can still be found on the black market. It’s crucial not to give in to temptation and to help protect these animals by refusing to buy shahtoosh products. If you’re looking for a high-quality shawl, we recommend pashmina instead — just as soft and warm.

If you're searching for an authentic shahtoosh (with prices starting around €3,000), you're unlikely to find one nearby — and even less so online. Unfortunately, the rarity of shahtoosh has led dishonest sellers to market genuine pashminas as shahtoosh. It’s vital to help protect endangered species by choosing ethically sourced pashmina instead →  On our site .