Alpacas Colors / Micron Count
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Alpacas come in 22 natural recognized colors for show purposes, but
there are many hues which lie between these colors and many patterns
which makes alpacas unique as a fiber producing livestock.
Adriano Prime Fiber
Fiber FAQs
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Alpaca is graded by micron count (not age):
Alpaca is incredibly soft, doesn't have the
prickle factor at the lower grades that other
natural fibers do and is warmer than wool for
the same weight. White and light color fibers can
be dyed into a rainbow of colors. The natural
colors can be blended into a variety of colors as
well. White and black will make grey etc.
Grade 1 - Royal Baby
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< 20 microns
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Grade 2 - Baby
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20 - 22.9 microns
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Grade 3 - Fine
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23 - 25.9 microns
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Grade 4 - Medium
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26 - 28.9 microns
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Grade 5 - Adult
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29 - 32 microns
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Grade 6 - Robust
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> 32 microns
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Sorting natural fiber by hand has been done for 1000's of years and is
still an effective method for making the best product and having the
best yield for your clip.
There are 3 basic sorting steps:
- First step - sort the fiber by color. White is obviously the
easiest to sort into a uniform color, however some of the other
colors can have a variety of different shades and may be blended
together for a greater yield of finished product. For example,
medium and light fawns may be all blended and dark fawn may be
blended with light brown etc.
- Second step - after the fiber is sorted into color is to
determine the length and uniformity of each fleece. Within a
single animal, there can be many variations in micron count and
length. Typically to make the best product, sorting into batches
of no more than an inch in length difference makes the best
products. For example 2 - 3 inches can go in one pile, 4 - 5 inches
can go into another etc.
- Third step - 2 main sorts, micron sorting can begin. Sorting to
this level takes practice, but it is necessary to make the best
product.