This 100% Vicuna Scarf is made of the finest animal fiber in the world. Luxurious Vicuna is extremely light, amazingly soft, and provides unrivaled warmth. The scarf comes in a wooden box and includes a 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.
 
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.
Only available for delivery in the U.S.A.
Size:  71" x 12"
Weight:  4.8 oz
Colors:  Black, Camel, Navy
Materials:  100% Vicuna