Silk is a natural fiber produced by silkworms through the sericulture process. On the other hand, synthetic fibers are man-made materials made through chemical processes to imitate natural fibers like silk but do not originate from natural sources. Synthetic fibers are often made from polymers derived from petroleum or other chemicals.
When comparing synthetic fibers with silk, factors such as texture, gloss, and ventilation should be considered.
How to Identify Pure Silk
Step 1: Preliminary Observation
Check the difference between smooth silk and coarse silk.
- Silk fabric with a fine texture has small silk strands that are shiny and may contain some silk knots, but not excessively. This is the true nature of silk.
- Coarse silk will have much less shine but will have silk shavings all over the fabric, which is unique to it.
- Shadows and silk shavings can be closely imitated, but the structure, transparency, and comfort of natural silk still cannot be fully replicated.
- Pure silk threads have a natural shine, and the same piece of fabric can show different colors depending on the light exposure at the time.
Step 2: Pull the Fibers Horizontally and Vertically
Check for possible blends of synthetic fibers.
- If the fibers contract slightly and slowly without becoming lumpy, this is a sign of real silk fibers.
- Pull fibers from the fabric both vertically and horizontally to check for shrinkage. Sometimes synthetic fibers are woven horizontally, but the vertical fibers are real silk.
Step 3: Observe the Brittleness of the Fibers and Smell
A controlled burn test can help identify pure silk.
- Pure silk fibers, when exposed to fire, become brittle and break into ash when crushed. They usually do not have a strong odor but have a natural smell.
- Synthetic silk, when burned, smells like burnt plastic and does not turn to ash. Instead, it shrinks and clumps together because of the chemicals it contains.
In Summary
Verification of real silk involves noting important indicators such as gloss, texture, and burning characteristics. At Chob Mai Shop, you can shop with confidence. We guarantee that our silk is made from 100% pure silk fibers and pride ourselves on offering fine quality silk that meets strict quality standards. Click to see the products in the store.
For those interested in purchasing silk for sewing luxury dresses, you can visit our shop through www.silkket.com. Our shop offers plain-colored silk, Mudmee pattern silk, and native silk in many shades and patterns, with expert craftsmanship. We are dedicated to preserving this beautiful culture. Contact the Chob Mai store team for assistance through LineOA: @chobmai. Thank you for your interest and for choosing our products. We are happy to serve you.