The South American camelids, the Alpaca and Vicuña, produce some of the fnest quality fiber on the planet. Here's the lowdown.

The alpaca is the legendary South American camelid that is world-renowned for its high quality fur.

There are actually four major types of South American camelids: alpaca, vicuña, llama, and guanaco. However, alpaca and vicuña produce the highest quality wool. Alpaca fiber is far more common than vicuña fiber. Alpacas produce high quality and high quanity wool, therefore, are the most breeded. The vicuña has the highest quality fur. It’s soft and very fine, making it the most expensive.

Alpacas are raised for their fur in Australia and the United States, however, much of the luster is lost when done at lower altitudes, therefore, the fur from places like Peruvian Andes has far better quality.

An adult alpaca will grow 5-8 pounds of fur every year. The fiber is shiny, smooth, strong, and consierably warmer than wool. Fiber diameters range from 22.5-23.5 microns for baby alpacas to 32.5-34 microns for an adult alpaca. Fibers from the vicuña are just 10-12 microns in diameter.

The natural fur is classified into 22 distinct colors falling somewhere between shades of black, brown, and white, which can all easily be dyed without losing the natural luster. The fur differs between type of alpaca as well. The long hair Suri alpaca and puffier hair Huacaya alpaca are two of the more common animals.

There are numrous things to look out for when purchasing alpaca products, and several major types of alpaca wool:

Alpaca Blends

The typical sweater or scarf sold in craft stalls and markets throughout tourist centers in the Andes is often a blend. The percentages vary, but 50% alpaca, 50% cotton is quite common.

100% Alpaca

This means pure alpaca, no blends or mixes. This type of fiber is most often used in jackets, sweaters, scarves, and socks. Very soft and comfortable.

Baby Alpaca

Common in fine blankets and sweaters and extremely soft. Sometimes used in blends. The diameter of the fur is considerably finer than of an adult alpaca, yet larger than a vicuña.

Vicuña

The finest and most expensive fur found in South America. Used in high fashion designs and pricey items such as blankets, jackets, sweaters, and much more. Unlikely it will be sold by a street vendor. A favorite thread of Incan royalty.

Alpaca Weaving Centers in South America

There are certain Andean towns throughout many countries in South America, in proximity to large alpaca populations, where weaving the fine thread is best known. Here are some of the highlights:

Otavalo, Ecuador

Huancayo and the Mantaro Valley, Peru

Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Peru

Arequipa, Peru

Salta, Argentina

Lake Titicaca, Peru & Bolivia

Parque Nacional Lauca and the Atacama, Chile