Silk is one of the most popular luxurious fabrics. Silk has been around for thousands of years and nothing compares to its uniqueness. Silk is an expensive fabric and because of this, you could be sold satin polyester version of the fabric which is a very shinny fabric.
There are fabric identification methods that can help silk consumers.
But not many of us have the money and time to send the fabric to laboratories to conduct microscopic and chemical testing; and it requires many years of experience to denote 100% silk by mere touch.
But there is a simple test that can help consumers determine whether a material is a natural fiber, man-made fiber, or blend of natural and man-made fibers. It’s called “Burn Test”. But be cautious, all fabrics will burn and the “Burn Test” should be administered with care. The test involves, burning a small sample of the fabric while carefully observing the various characteristics during and following the burning process.
Burn Test Characteristics
- Silk is a protein fiber, it will curl away from the flame and leaves a brittle, crushable black head after burning. The ash once crushed turns into powder. It is easily extinguished when flame is removed, and smells like burning hair or an burning insect.
- Wool is also a protein fiber but it is harder to ignite than silk. The individual hair or fiber is shorter and the weave of fabric is generally looser compared to silk. Flame is steadily but more difficult to keep burning. The smell of burning wool is like burning hair.
- Cotton is a plant fiber. It burns with a steady flame and smells like burning leaves or paper. The ash left is easily crumbled.
- Linen is a plant fiber but burns differently from cotton. It takes long to ignite due to longer fibers. The remaining ash is brittle and linen is easily extinguished when blown upon.
- Rayon is regenerated cellulose fiber. Rayon burns rapidly and leaves only a slight ash. It smells similar to burning leaves.
- Nylon is polyamide from petroleum based product. It melts and burns rapidly and becomes a hard melted fiber, it smells like burnt plastic.
- Polyester is a polymer produced from coal and petroleum. Polyester melts and burns at same time. The smoke of burning polyester is black. The extinguished residue is hard to the touch.
- Blended fabric consists of two or more fibers, ideally they are to taken on the characteristics of each fiber in the blend. The “Burn Test” definitively demonstrates whether or not you have a natural fiber blend or man-made fiber blend but the test will not determine the exact content of the fibers.
Silk Fun Facts
- Silk is known as the “Queen of Fabric”.
- During the time of the Roman Empire silk was sold for its weight in gold.
- Silk is a protein fiber, it consists of 18 types of amino acids.
- Silk cultivation or farming is called Sericulture.
- Cultivated or farmed silkworm or Bombix mori produces Mulberry Silk, the finest and purest silk. This moth cannot fly or see. It lays eggs and dies soon afterward.
- Silkworm lays approximately very tiny 300 to 500 eggs, pinhead size eggs. One once of silkworm eggs contains approximately 40,000 eggs.
- Silkworm eggs hatches at certain temperature and humidity.
- Baby silkworms eat nonstop for 30 to 35 days. It’s weight multiplies by 10,000 times before it starts to spin silk around itself (cocooning).
- Silkworm completely encloses itself in silk in 2 to 3 days.
- A Mulberry Silk cocoons is made of 1 continuous filament. Each filament is at least 1000 yards long.
- To produce 1 kilo of silk, 104 kilos of mulberry leaves must be eaten by 3000 silkworms.
- It takes 30,000 silkworms to produce 12 pounds of raw silk.
- It takes 5000 silkworms to make a pure silk robe.
- Depending the type of woven and knitted fabric, it takes 3 to 10 filaments of silk fiber to make one woven/knitted thread.
- ilk is the strongest natural fiber. It is stronger than the same diameter of steel thread.
- Silk is smooth and luxurious. Wild silk is the exception, it is dull with coarse texture bit it can be dyed a very rich color.
- Silk is hypoallergenic. No chemicals or artificial products are used to produce silk.
- Silk does not attract dust mites, mold or fungus.
- Silk has high absorbency and low conductivity quality: it keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Silk is the softest, lightest, and most breathable natural fabric.
- Silk should be kept away from sunlight, it weakens the structures of silk and yellows the silk fabric.
- It is said sleeping in silk is good for skin and hair do’s due to silk’s amino acids. High biological compatibility with human body.
- Silk proteins are used in hair, body and skin care products.
- Over 40 countries produce silk, but China remains the largest producer of silk, at around 54%; India comes in 2nd producing 14% of world’s silk.
Silk’s 18 types of Amino Acids and their Benefits
GLYCINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Helps trigger the release of oxygen to the energy requiring cell-making process; important in the manufacturing of hormones responsible for a strong immune system.
ALANINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Is an important source of energy for muscle tissue, the brain and central nervous system; strengthens the immune system by producing antibodies; helps in the metabolism of sugars and organic acids.
SERINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
A storage source of glucose by the liver and muscles; helps strengthen the immune system by providing antibodies; synthesizes fatty acid sheath around nerve fibers.
ASPARTIC ACID (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Aids in the expulsion of harmful ammonia from the body. When ammonia enters the circulatory system it acts as a highly toxic substance which can be harmful to the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that Aspartic Acid may increase resistance to fatigue and increase endurance.
GLUTAMIC ACID (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Considered to be nature's "Brain food" by improving mental capacities; helps speed the healing of ulcers; gives a "lift" from fatigue; helps control alcoholism, schizophrenia and craving for sugar.
VALINE (Essential Amino Acid)
Promotes mental vigor, muscle coordination and calm emotions.
PROLINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Is extremely important for the proper functioning of joints and tendons; also helps maintain and strengthen heart muscles.
THREONINE (Essential Amino Acid)
Is an important constituent of collagen, Elastin, enamel protein; helps prevent fat build-up in the liver; helps the digestive and intestinal tracts function more smoothly; assists metabolism and assimilation.
LYSINE (Essential Amino Acid)
Insures the adequate absorption of calcium; helps form collagen (which makes up bone cartilage & connective tissues); aids in the production of antibodies, hormones & enzymes. Recent studies have shown that Lysine may be effective against herpes by improving the balance of nutrients that reduce viral growth. A deficiency may result in tiredness, inability to concentrate, irritability, bloodshot eyes, retarded growth, hair loss, anemia & reproductive problems.
ARGININE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Studies have shown that it has improved immune responses to bacteria, viruses & tumor cells; promotes wound healing and regeneration of the liver; causes the release of growth hormones; considered crucial for optimal muscle growth and tissue repair.
TYROSINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Transmits nerve impulses to the brain; helps overcome depression; improves memory; increases mental alertness; promotes the healthy functioning of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands.
PHENYLALAINE (Essential Amino Acid)
Used by the brain to produce Norepinephrine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells and the brain; keeps you awake and alert; reduces hunger pains; functions as an antidepressant and helps improve memory.
LEUCINE & ISOLEUCINE (Essential Amino Acid)
They provide ingredients for the manufacturing of other essential biochemical components in the body, some of which are utilized for the production of energy, stimulants to the upper brain and helping you to be more alert.
METHIONINE (Essential Amino Acid)
Is a principle supplier of sulfur which prevents disorders of the hair, skin and nails; helps lower cholesterol levels by increasing the liver's production of lecithin; reduces liver fat and protects the kidneys; a natural chelating agent for heavy metals; regulates the formation of ammonia and creates ammonia-free urine which reduces bladder irritation; influences hair follicles and promotes hair growth.
CYSTINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Functions as an antioxidant and is a powerful aid to the body in protection against radiation and pollution It can help slow down the aging process, deactivate free radicals, neutralize toxins, aids in protein synthesis and presents cellular change. It is necessary for the formation of the skin, which aids in recovery from burns and surgical operations. Hair and skin are made up 10-14% Cystine.
TRYPTOPHAN (Essential Amino Acid)
A natural relaxant, helps alleviate insomnia by inducing normal sleep; reduces anxiety & depression; helps in the treatment of migraine headaches; helps the immune system; helps reduce the risk of artery & heart spasms; works with Lysine in reducing cholesterol levels.
TAURINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Helps stabilize the excitability of membranes which is very important in the control of epileptic seizures Taurine and sulfur are considered to be factors necessary for the control of many biochemical changes that take place in the aging process; aids in the clearing of free radical wastes.
HISTIDINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid)
Is found abundantly in hemoglobin; has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, allergic diseases, ulcers & anemia. A deficiency can cause poor hearing.
Amino acids are not taken individually but as a group, as nature does
Silk Terminology
- Cultivated Silk: harvested from worms from captivity. It is the highest quality. The strongest natural fiber.
- Mulberry Silk: highest quality silk available. Silkworms fed exclusive diet of mulberry leaves. Resulting in uniform light color, rounded and finer fibers.
- Wild Silk: harvested from silkworms that grows in the wild, shorter fibers, wide range of colors from light ivory to darker tan colors. It is less expensive and not as durable as cultivated silk.
- Tussah Silk: a type of wild silk that typically comes from India or China.
- Thrown or Reeled Silk: a process done by hand to unwind the silk filament from the cocoon. Primarily used to process cultivated silk.
- Spun or Cut Silk: silk with shorter fibers that is often taken from the inside portion of cocoon which is considered the weak part. Generally it is rougher to the touch and less elastic. Mostly made from wild silk.
- Silk Floss: silk floss is exclusively used for filling material. It is obtained from cocoons and it is hand stretched and layered evenly to the desired size and thickness. Silk filling is extremely soft and lighter, there are no chemicals involved in the silk floss processing.
- Raw Silk: silk fiber’s outer gummy layer Sericin that hasn’t been removed.
- Moonlight Silk: is the silk farmed in China, Latitude 30∘, where is the most propitious geographical latitude to grow Mulberry Silk, the purest, whitest and no chemical added silk.
- Silk Blend: silk is blended with other fibers to form yarns that are both strong and have silk luster.
