Wondering how to distinguish real silk from artificial? Here are a few tests you can perform, as well as some popular myths about silk! In today's world, where the offer of accessories is extremely rich, choosing the perfect silk scarf can…
In today's world, where the offer of accessories is extremely rich, choosing the perfect silk scarf can be a difficult task. The differences between real silk and its artificial imitation are subtle, but crucial for the quality and durability of the product. Today, we will look at how to distinguish real silk from artificial, so that every purchase is informed and satisfying.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the increase in online shopping has led to a lot of companies deceiving customers and providing incorrect product compositions – something that should be silk is just an artificial blend. We are witnessing a flood of fake silks on eBay and Amazon, and the problem is that buyers simply have no idea what they are buying and from whom. Many online companies, outside of marketplaces, also present their brand in a way that makes them seem trustworthy, yet the actual products they sell are not at all.
Here are a few tests that can show the difference between real silk and artificial:
Burning test
Unfortunately, the most reliable test for distinguishing artificial from real silk is the burning test. Of course, no private customer will want to do this to their beautiful new scarf – but as a brand, we always perform such a test on a selected product with every new order.
When performing the burn test, pay attention to:
Visual effects: Silk tends to burn slowly and with a small flame.
Smell: Burning silk smells the same as burning hair.
Touch: Feel the tiny dark beads with your fingertips. They easily crumble into powder.
This is a method of determining if a fiber is a protein. Besides mulberry silk, the most common protein fibers are wild silk, cashmere, and wool.
Another test is:
HCIO disinfectant/bleach test
In HCIO, real silk completely dissolves – so this is another test that is unfortunately not suitable for a private customer.
Another issue is checking the company selling silk products. It's worth checking tabs like "About Me," "About Us," "FAQ" – information should be found there about where the brand sources its materials. If they don't share any information anywhere, that should be a "red flag."
We invite you to our tabs:"about us", "FAQ".
Tests for distinguishing real silk from artificial are very popular, but they simply don't work! Here are some myths you may have heard.
Myth 1: The "sheen" of real and artificial silk is different
Distinguishing artificial silk from real silk can be quite difficult based on sight alone. Even silk experts can have trouble with this. It's a myth that real silk changes color depending on the light hitting it, while artificial silk has a white sheen regardless of everything. However, the sheen and luster of silk can vary depending on the fabric. For example, habotai silk does not have a shiny appearance but is 100% real silk. Twill silk and satin-finished silk also have a completely different sheen perception.
Myth 2: Real silk feels warm when rubbed
Rubbing almost any fabric will generate warmth to the touch due to basic friction. Different rubbing speeds also cause different levels of warmth, so it's not a standardized test that can be performed every time and yield reliable results. Furthermore, there are about 30 types of real silk available, and each will have a different temperature when rubbed.
Myth 3: The color of real silk doesn't fade because it doesn't contain chemicals
No fabric is completely free of chemicals, and experts agree that real silk tends to fade even more. Some tests suggest that if you dip silk in detergent and the color doesn't bleed into the water, it's real silk. However, this depends on the intensity and specific color.
Myth 4: The ring test
Ring tests are most commonly used for pashminas, but not for all types of silk. The highest grade of cashmere can be detected by the ring test. Silk can come in various sizes and thicknesses, so a simple silk scarf might pass, but certainly not a thicker silk sheet.
Myth 5: Silk produced in China is fake
80% of all global real silk production takes place in China, so this is definitely a myth. It's much more likely that silk imported from China is real. Additionally, silk originally comes from China, where silkworms were raised and silk was produced for many centuries. The first mentions of silk date back to ancient Chinese texts from around 2700 BCE.
Myth 6: Silk doesn't wrinkle
The most popular types of silk are actually less prone to wrinkles, e.g., Charmeuse. However, thinner silks tend to wrinkle more than other types. Although silk fiber is definitely the smoothest natural fiber, silk sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases can wrinkle. Of course, they are so pleasant to the touch and have so many benefits that it doesn't matter much!
When buying a silk scarf or silk accessories, it's worth paying attention to the aspects mentioned above. Sine Silk always ensures the highest quality and authenticity, offering silk products that delight not only with their beauty but also with their durability.
