BELLINZONA 100% Vicuna Shawl

Yes, that really is the price. See why below... Our classic, lightweight 100% Vicuna Shawl. This beautiful shawl has a subtle diamond shaped pattern. 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.  See this interesting and entertaining article on Wall Street Journal about the mystique of Vicuna fiber and products. Vicuña 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 vicuña will only produce about one pound of wool a year and gathering it requires a certain process. During the time of the Incas, vicuña fibres were gathered by means of communal efforts called chacu, in which multitudes of people herded hundreds of thousands of vicuña into previously laid funnel traps. The animals were sheared and then released; this was only done once every four years. The vicuña 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 vicuña 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 vicuña yarns and fabrics can range from $1,800 to $3,000 per yard. Vicuña 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 - Vicuña Internationally Known This from comes from internationally know luxury alpaca products manufacturer Incalpaca who regularly supplies very well known luxury brands such as  Parada, Armani,  Hermes and others. Their prices are very much higher but with PurelyAlpaca you benefit from our low overhead and discount rate.    Due to import regulations, this item can only be sold to addresses in the United States.  Special Order only: Allow 6 weeks for delivery.  Dimensions: 27 x 79 inches Materials: 100% Vicuna