Information-Alpaca

The Alpaca

Alpacas(Lama pacos) are gentle, domesticated camelids native to the Andes Mountains, prized for their exceptionally soft and luxurious wool.

They are primarily raised in Peru and produce two types of fiber: the dense, crimpy fleece of the Huacaya and the silky, lustrous locks of the Suri. Known for their hypoallergenic properties, alpaca wool is warmer, lighter, and more durable than sheep's wool, making it a sought-after material for high-quality textiles.

Alpacas are also environmentally friendly, as their gentle grazing habits and soft padded feet cause minimal damage to pastures.

Native to the Peruvian Andes, alpacas were domesticated thousands of years ago. Today, there are an estimated around 4 million alpacas in South America, with most of them primarily found in the southern regions of Peru.

Alpacas thrive at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to over 4,500 meters above sea level, naturally enduring temperatures ranging from -20°C to 30°C within a single day. They sustain themselves on a specialized, low-protein diet of natural grasses.

Alpaca Huacaya

Originating from the Peruvian Andes, the Huacaya alpaca boasts the widest natural color range in the world of textiles, spanning from pristine whites to deep blacks, with shades of chestnut and grey in between. Renowned for its warmth and unparalleled softness, this fiber has been a cornerstone of Andean textile development, notably during the Inca era. Today, this exceptional fiber continues to play a pivotal role in the textile industry.

Alpaca fiber is highly versatile, allowing us at Grupo Esmeralda sourcing unique collections based on its exceptional qualities. We invite you to discover these collections:

100% Alpaca Collections

Alpaca Suri

Descubre la exquisita raza Suri, una joya de la domesticación milenaria por pastores altoandinos. Representando solo el 6% del total de alpacas, la Suri se distingue por su aspecto grácil y delicado. Más pequeña que la Huacaya, está envuelta en un vellón excepcionalmente fino que forma un manto de mechas largas, algunas alcanzando hasta 16 cm de longitud. Estas mechas caen verticalmente desde el cuello y recorren su cuerpo, conferiéndole una belleza singular y elegante.

Considerada el summum de la selección de fibra de alpaca, solo el 0.5% del total mundial de fibra procesada corresponde a este noble insumo. La fibra Suri es apreciada por su hermosa variedad cromática, suavidad incomparable y brillo natural, características que la convierten en una de las fibras más valiosas entre los camélidos sudamericanos. Su uso en prendas garantiza no solo una calidad excepcional, sino también una elegancia distinguida y atemporal.

Baby Alpaca

Discover alpaca fiber, renowned worldwide for its exceptional softness and subtle sheen. With the widest color variety in the textile world, it offers 22 natural shades ranging from bright whites to deep blacks, including warm tones like chestnuts and grays.

This exquisite quality is achieved through the meticulous work of skilled artisans who master ancient techniques to hand-select the fiber. With a fineness ranging from 20 to 22.5 microns, alpaca fiber not only provides an unparalleled feeling of warmth and softness but has also been the inspiration and foundation for Andean textile development, particularly during the Inca era.

100% Baby Alpaca Collections