Things to Know Before Buying a Silk Product
If you’re considering adding the luxury of silk to your life, understanding the differences between silk types, quality measures, and characteristics is essential. Here’s what you need to know about Mulberry Silk, Wild Silk (aka Tussah Silk), and Momme quality rating, with links to our premium offerings from THE COTTON & SILK.
Types of Silk: Mulberry Silk vs. Wild Silk
Mulberry Silk: The Gold Standard
Mulberry silk is renowned for its exceptional quality, made by the Bombyx Mori silkworms raised exclusively on mulberry leaves. This pure diet results in silk fibers with a smooth, lustrous texture and a consistent, creamy white color. The long fibers produced by Bombyx Mori silkworms create silk that is soft, durable, and radiant, providing an unparalleled sleep experience. The length of these fibers also allows mulberry silk to retain its beautiful sheen and offer high comfort.
Touching Genuine Mulberry Silk: When you handle authentic mulberry silk products, such as our Long-strand Mulberry Silk-Filled Duvet Insert (Silk Comforter) or 6A & 6A+ Mulberry Silk Pillowcases and Pillow Shams, you’ll notice its exceptional softness and glossy appearance. Our 6A+ grade silk is specially crafted to have an even smoother, shinier surface, creating a luxurious feel for ultimate comfort.
Wild Silk: The Cheaper Alternative
Wild silk, despite the name, also depends on human cultivation. Unlike mulberry silk, it is produced by silkworms with a diverse diet that includes leaves from oak and chestnut trees. These fibers are shorter, rougher, and less uniform, giving wild silk a less refined feel and a naturally brownish color. Due to its shorter, coarser fibers, wild silk is not as soft and durable as mulberry silk and is less expensive.
Wild silk is less durable and softer than mulberry silk, making it less ideal for thicker silk comforters, as it may become lumpy over time. However, it's a great choice for lightweight summer blankets, offering many of silk’s natural benefits at a more affordable price.
Be mindful of the type of filling used when purchasing a silk comforter. Some brands use wild silk for comforter fillings without clearly stating it, making their products appear more affordable. This can be misleading, as wild silk lacks the same benefits as mulberry silk in terms of softness, durability, and temperature regulation.
Understanding Momme: The Measure of Silk Fabric Thickness
Momme is the metric used to gauge silk fabric density, similar to thread count in cotton fabric. The higher the momme number, the denser, smoother, and more luxurious the fabric feels. A silk fabric measuring 45 inches by 100 yards and weighing 22 pounds, for instance, has a momme of 22. For premium bedding, momme counts generally range from 16 to 30.
- 19 and 22 Momme are popular choices for high-quality silk products, balancing durability and luxurious softness. Our silk fabric bedding at THE COTTON & SILK is crafted to provide this luxury feel with durability for long-lasting use.
Explore Our Silk Bedding: If you’re ready to experience the luxurious benefits of mulberry silk, browse our premium products crafted with 6A-grade mulberry silk, available at THE COTTON & SILK.
Why Choose Mulberry Silk?
- Hypoallergenic Properties: Mulberry silk is naturally hypoallergenic, ideal for sensitive skin and those prone to allergies. It repels dust mites and other allergens.
- Temperature Regulation: Mulberry silk helps keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, ensuring a comfortable sleep year-round.
- Smooth, Anti-Aging Surface: Its smooth fibers prevent friction against the skin, helping reduce wrinkles and maintaining hair smoothness.
Understanding these qualities can help you make an informed decision before investing in silk bedding. For top-tier quality, comfort, and durability, consider THE COTTON & SILK’s premium mulberry silk products, designed to elevate your sleep and wellness experience.