Microscopy Primer
Light and Color
Microscope Basics
Special Techniques
Digital Imaging
Confocal Microscopy
Live-Cell Imaging
Photomicrography
Microscopy Museum
Virtual Microscopy
Fluorescence
Web Resources
License Info
Image Use
Custom Photos
Partners
Site Info
Contact Us
Publications
Home

The Galleries:

Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Pharmaceuticals
Chip Shots
Phytochemicals
DNA Gallery
Microscapes
Vitamins
Amino Acids
Birthstones
Religion Collection
Pesticides
BeerShots
Cocktail Collection
Screen Savers
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Movie Gallery

Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Cashmere

Though the term cashmere is sometimes applied to wools that feel very soft to the touch, it only correctly refers to the downy hairs of the Kashmir goat. This silky material, which comprises the animal’s undercoat, is notoriously warm, soft, and fine when woven into sweaters and other apparel items.

View a second and third image of Cashmere

Cashmere originally came to be known to the larger world through the beautiful handmade shawls produced in Kashmir, India beginning in the fifteenth century. The fiber utilized to create the shawls was originally known as pashm. However, as the garments became popular in Europe in the early 1800s, the goat hair began to be referred to as Kashmir in reference to its origin, which eventually evolved into the modern spelling of the word. In the Industrial Age, several countries began producing shawls in the likeness of those found in Kashmir, but through mechanical means, making them much cheaper to produce. In the face of heavy competition, the industry in India suffered severely.

The process of obtaining fine cashmere is difficult and time consuming. First, the material is typically combed out or pulled by hand from live goats, though in some areas it is sheared or obtained from butchered animals. The fiber must then undergo a thorough cleaning process to ensure that it does not contain any grease or debris. Perhaps the most important process that must be carried out, however, is the separation of the fine hairs from the coarse. Indeed, many producers of cashmere will not reveal how they actually complete this step, keeping it as a closely guarded secret because the ratio of fine hairs to coarse is what primarily determines the material’s grade and commercial value.


BACK TO THE HAIRS GALLERY

BACK TO THE POLARIZED LIGHT GALLERY

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1998-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Friday, Nov 13, 2015 at 02:19 PM
Access Count Since November 20, 2003: 15739
For more information on microscope manufacturers,
use the buttons below to navigate to their websites: