Alpaca fiber is classed by the micron (u) of the fibers in the fleece. In Canada, Alpaca Fiber is classed into 6 grades, grade 1 being the finest. In Peru, they class by different names: Super Baby, Baby, Superfine, Adult, Coarse. Gradeing in Peru is done by touch, whereas in Canada, samples are compared to samples which have been tested using a microscope.
Canadian Gradeing System Peruvian Grading System
Grade 1
< 20 u Super Baby 18 - 20u
Grade 2
20 - 22.9u Baby 20 - 22u
Grade 3
23 - 25.9u Superfine 24 - 26u
Grade 4
26 - 28.9u Adult 27.5u
Grade 5
29 - 31.9u Coarse 34u
Grade 6
> 32u