The vicuna, true gold of the Andes

The vicuna, true gold of the Andes

The vicuña is a valuable symbol and patrimony of five countries of Latin America: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. The vicuña, considered as "Gold of the Andes" by the Incas, has the most valuable fiber or wool in the world for its softness and extreme finesse; This fiber is 8 times thinner than a human hair, it is very light and always maintains its fineness and durability; It is naturally hypo allergenic and perfect even for the most delicate skin.

Luckily, the protection and use of ancestral techniques for shearing was chosen, otherwise it would be an extinct species or on the verge of extinction. The "Chaccu" or shearing is an activity linked to a ceremony, which prioritizes the care and welfare of this noble animal; It is done manually and communally every 2 years and lasts approximately 2 minutes per vicuña, only the back of the vicuña is sheared, without causing any damage.

The Central Reserve Bank of Peru, in 1966, defined the characteristics for coins of legal tender, stating that on the reverse side for the coins of a sun, a vicuña appears and its value is expressed with the phrase "Un Sol de Oro". The coins were minted from 1966 to 1975; They had 70% copper and 30% zinc, gross weight was 9 grams and the diameter was 28 millimeters.

In the textile industry, the wool of vicuña allows the making of clothing that reach fabulous wrecks: A suit can cost 31,000 euros, a jacket 16,000 euros, a sweater plus 4,000 euros, and a pair of gloves exceeds 1,200 euros. Ermenegildo Zegna is widely known in this business.

Recommended links:

The baby vicuña, lovely creature of the Andes

https://vicuna-para-el-mundo-el-mundo.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-vicuna-baby-lovely-creature-of-andes.html

Vicuña and its habitat, Fabulous landscape

https://vicuna-para-el-mundo-el-mundo.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-vicuna-in-its-habitat-andes-high.html