Weich Textil: Clave

Keychain black

Manufacturer: WEICH Alpaca
Descrpition: Keychain
Series: Clave
Color: Black
Material: 100% Royal Alpaca-Fur

Small but captivating.
Even the smallest of our accessories, the CLAVE keychain, has a big impact and creates both a tactile and visual experience on and in any handbag. The alpaca fiber has a natural shine. It is breathable, has unique thermal properties and contains hardly any lanolin (wool grease). This makes it suitable for allergy sufferers, babies and the most sensitive skin. Dust repellent, self-cleaning, low lint and almost completely free of pilling.

Glooming
Alpaca fur is naturally robust and rarely needs cleaning. For larger products we recommend occasional shaking on fresh air as well as gentle vacuuming. For smaller products regular brushing with a fur brush is sufficient. For coarse soiling, professional cleaning is advised.

Ethics and Commitment
In addition to the goal of producing valuable and sustainable favorable pieces with the highest quality standards, animals welfare, respectful and species-appropiate treatment of alpacas as well as the presercation of their natural habitat have absolute priority for Weich Alpaca. The close relationship with their partners and producers in Peru enables Weich to personally convince themselves that no animal is harmed for the raw material extraction of thier products. Furthermore, Weich Alpaca supports the local farmers and communities.

For the sake of the animals.
Alpacas are extraordinarily valuable animals. Their wool is an exquisite raw material and a noble gift of nature. A life expectancy of 15 to 20 years makes shearing the animals over their entire lifetime far more profitable for alpaca farmers than the individual fur. In line with Weich Alpacas values, they only use furs from animals whose lives have come to a natural end, for example due to their age or the harsh climatic conditions in the highlands of the Andes. With Weich Alpaca products you enjoy ethically correct luxury, for whose existence no animal has been harmed or suffered.

For the sake of the farmers.
The condition that the animals are not harmed for the production of the products is the first priority. However, Weich Alpacas ambitions goes further: In a globalized world, in economically, politically and ecologically challenging times, it is important for a company to assume responsibility and give back to society. Weich Alpaca has not only set Themselfes the goal of bringing the traditional Peruvian craftsmanship to the world, but at the same time support local farmers and producers to lead a self-determined life. That is why Weich Alpaca donate a part of their profits to charitable projects in their manufacturing country Peru.

The alpaca biography.
As one of the rarest, most beautiful and valuable fibers in the world, alpaca is known for its incomparable softness and special thermal properties. It is also increasingly seen as a more sustainable alternative to the oversaturated cashmere market. Learn everything you need to know abot these wonderful animals, theior origin and thier unique fur.

The origin.
The history of alpacas in Peru goes an a long, 6000 years old tradition. Already the royal families of Incas domesticated the peaceful animals and revered them for their unique fur and the special characteristics of alpaca fiber. Even today aöpacas are the santuary of Peru. With their wool they secure the livelihood of many Peruvian farmers. Of about 4 millian animals worldwide, about 90% live in the Peruvian Andes. Alpacas are usually kept in small herds of 80 to 100 animals, at altitudes of up 5000 meters.

The characteristics.
Alpacas are sociable herd animals. Their life expectancy ranges between 15 and 20 years, their height is about one meter and they can reach a weight of up to 60 kg.There are two types of alpacas, the huacaya and the suri, which differ only in their fur structure. While the huacaya’s fur is short, slightly curly and particularly densely arranged, the suri’s fur is characterized by long, curly and silky hair, whose unique reflection of light gives it a unique, natural shine.

The fiber.
Due to their natural habitat, alpacas are often exposed to extreme environmental conditions and high temperature fluctuations.The sustainable fur of alpacas is optimally adapted to these circumstances: their hair is particularly fine and closely arranged to provide sufficient protection against cold and extreme weather. At the same time, the fiber is hollow on the inside and acts as a thermal insulator due to its special thermal properties – a unique fiber property that protects against temperature differences of up to 25 degrees in a single day.These properties make the alpaca fiber one of the most sought-after raw materials in the world. The alpaca fiber contains hardly any lanolin (wool grease) and is therefore dust, dirt and sweat repellent. Hence, wool and fur are also excellent for allergy sufferers, babies and even the most delicate skin.

The quality.
Our partners and producers in Peru are handpicked and specialized exclusively in alpaca fur and wool. This way we can ensure the highest quality level of our products. We use only Royal Alpaca for our alpaca fur products and Ultrafine Alpaca for our wool collections. The quality of alpaca fiber is traditionally measured by fiber thickness. The thinner the fiber, the finer the fur and the greater the wow effect when you touch it for the first time. The quality level “Royal Alpaca” means that the fiber thickness is less than 20 microns. This corresponds to a tenderness similar to that of silk and cashmere. This high quality is reflected in the so-called “crimp”, a slightly crimped fiber that becomes visible when the fur is blown into. Our Ultrafine Alpaca wool collections have a fiber thickness below 23 microns. We regularly have the fiber quality of our products randomly tested in the independent laboratory of the Universidad Agraria La Molina in Lima. Thus, certificates with a fiber thickness of only 15 microns are available.

The grooming.
Alpaca products are easy and uncomplicated to maintain. Due to the special nature and robustness of the fur, alpaca products rarely need cleaning and can be cleaned without fear of damage. To maintain the unique properties of the alpaca fiber, we recommend occasional shaking in the fresh air for larger products and if necessary, gentle vacuuming of the alpaca fur. For smaller products, regular brushing with a wire fur brush is sufficient to maintain the natural shine. This especially concerns products made of Suri fur. For coarse soiling, professional cleaning is advised.