In the highest Peruvian Andes, there’s a unique treasure: Gold of the Andes. More commonly known as Peruvian Baby Alpaca Fiber, it’s one of the finest yarns of all.
Where Does Alpaca Fiber Come From?
Alpaca fiber originates from the New World branch of the camel family that lives high up in the Andes Mountains. Their fur has been a popular trade item in the Andes for thousands of years, dating back to when high-altitude cultures like the Incas used it for their royalty. Soft, silky, yet never pilled, alpaca wool is famous across the globe and the darling of foreign fashion designers.
Benefits of Baby Alpaca Fiber
- Silky to touch
- Lighter and warmer than wool
- More durable than cashmere
- No pilling
- Hypoallergenic
- The most extensive range of natural colors compared with other fibers
- Using alpaca fiber promotes sustainable agriculture in the Andes
Are Alpacas Harmed in the Shearing Process?
Alpacas are rarely raised for their fur in the Andes, but they are sheared once a year to control the fleece growth and prevent disease—a historic Peruvian practice where no alpacas are harmed. It is only when an Alpaca dies (which is expected in the harsh conditions of the mountains) that the fur is harvested.
Alpacas continue to graze freely in the Andes. Their husbandry sustains rural families in the highlands of Peru, enabling them to stay in their traditional homes.
The Alpaca Origins Promise
Alpaca Origins holds the golden alpaca mark license, assuring that we have always used and will continue using the purest 100% baby alpaca fiber. All of our shearing processes follow the protocol of “The Technical Norms for Shearing and Handling Alpaca Fiber Fleece” approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Production, which enforces a humane treatment of these gentle creatures.