At Mulberry Park Silks, we work hard to teach our clients about the benefits of sleeping on pure silk as well as how to get the best value when buying silk bedding and accessories. But unfortunately, the popularity of silk has attracted far too many unscrupulous merchants to the marketplace. The average consumer likely doesn't know how to tell whether silk bedding or accessories are real; bad-faith companies exploit that by passing off fake or low-quality silk as the real thing. You deserve better.

That's why the Mulberry Park Silks team has put together this essential guide to identifying authentic silk. We'll show you how to tell if fabric is silk, including how to tell silk from polyester or other satin materials by look, feel, labels, and price. We'll even discuss the legendary "silk burn test" and debunk the myth of the "silk ring test." Read on to learn more about how to tell if silk is real and make sure you're getting only pure, genuine silk sheets, bedding, and accessories!

How to tell if Silk is real...

8 Ways to Identify Real Silk

1. What Does the Product Description Say?

In order to recognize genuine silk when you see it, you need to check the product description thoroughly. Unlike synthetic silk listings, a real silk description will include the words 100% pure mulberry silk. Keywords like "silky" or "silkyfeel" often show up in listings for products made of materials like rayon, polyester, or cotton but are rarely used to describe real silk fiber. If you are searching on Amazon, check the "Silk" box under the bedding material drop-down menu to filter out all items that are not pure silk. You should also look for details in the description, such as the grade of silk and weight (known as "momme").

What Does Momme Weight Have to Do With It?

Pro Tip: When shopping for genuine silk, look for the term, momme (pronounced “mom-ee”) weight. This Japanese unit of measurement indicates the weight of silk fabric and helps shoppers understand its thickness and density. Mulberry Park Silks offers three options: lightweight 19 Momme, medium-weight 22 Momme, and heavyweight, densely woven 30 Momme silk. While reputable silk bedding brands often disclose momme weight, its absence does not necessarily mean the fabric is blended or inferior. If a seller doesn't provide this information, it's worth asking. Momme weight is also different from silk grade. All Mulberry Park Silks silk products are made from 100% pure Grade 6A mulberry silk, a premium grade associated with long, uniform silk filaments, consistent luster, and excellent strength. Understanding both momme weight and silk grade can help you make a more informed purchase. Start by reading the product description and eliminating anything that isn't 100% genuine mulberry silk. 

2. What Does Silk Look Like and Is It Different from Satin?

Silk is defined by its luster, which softly catches and reflects light. Synthetic fabric cannot replicate that look. Synthetic silk tends to look shiny rather than lustrous.

Genuine silk is always lustrous, never shiny. Fake silk is shiny.

3. What Does Genuine Silk Fabric Feel Like?

 Silk is soft on both sides. Although silk and satin are both smooth and uniformly shiny on the front, satin tends to be slipperier than silk. The back side of polyester satin fabric will feel "harder" and similar to plastic, whereas the reverse of true silk charmeuse is still soft, although with a duller finish. Real silk absorbs water quickly and darkens slightly.

4. What Does the Label of Authentic Silk Say?

The label for genuine, natural silk will say "100% pure silk" or "100% pure mulberry silk." The label may even mention the specific grade of silk and its momme weight (higher momme weight means the fabric is more densely woven and the silk thread is thicker and stronger, indicating better quality silk).

All Mulberry Park Silks products are made from 100% mulberry silk in the highest grade (6A). We produce silk bedding and accessories in 19, 22, and 30 momme weights. Artificial silk  may be labeled with terms such as "silky," "silk satin," "satin weave," or "silk weave." Of course, if you see the terms "synthetic," "polyester," or "artificial," you can be sure the fabric is NOT silk.

5. Are You Buying from a Trustworthy Company?

Look at the company's website. Where are they located? Do they list a customer service phone number? Do they fully disclose the silk's quality details on the website? Do they have a well-curated inventory of silk items that shows they are experts in the silk business? How are their customer reviews? Don't hesitate to pick up the phone and ask questions! As we mentioned earlier, many unscrupulous companies attempt to pass off synthetic fabric like polyester as genuine silk. You can avoid these "silk oil salesmen" and their artificial silk by purchasing your silk pillowcase, bedding, and accessories from a reputable company.

Many disreputable "silk" companies are offshore and have no U.S. address or reliable customer service number. They have no established history, keep limited inventory, and provide few, if any, details about their products. Mulberry Park Silks is a U.S.-based company headquartered in Branford, CT, that is dedicated to selling silk pillowcases , bedding, and accessories. Our showroom is open to the public to see and touch all our silk products. Our charmeuse silk product line includes items such as a silk sleep mask and a silk duvet cover . We are proud of everything we sell and stand behind our products in terms of quality and value. We would be happy to answer any and all questions about our silk, and welcome you to chat, email, or call us at 800-860-1924 - Shop Silk Bedding .

6. Is There OEKO-TEX or Other Independent Product Safety Certification?

Pure mulberry silk is naturally hypoallergenic and won't irritate even the most sensitive skin. But you should also look to see if the silk you are purchasing is certified by an independent testing and accreditation program, such as OEKO-TEX, for safety against multiple substances. While synthetic fibers and fabrics can be certified by OEKO-TEX, it is a costly and involved process. You will not find it on a synthetic fabric falsely represented as silk. OEKO-TEX® certified fabrics will either be labeled or listed on the company website.

All Mulberry Park Silks products have been OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified for safety and purity through all phases of production. See the label here. You can learn more about our silk and OEKO-TEX here .

7. What Is the Price Point for natural silk VS. artificial silk?

If the price is too good to be true, it's likely not real silk. A general guideline is that if a silk pillowcase, for example, is priced under $20, it is probably fake silk material (polyester) or a cheap blend. Genuine silk will come in a range of prices based on quality and weight. We recommend doing comparison shopping among reputable silk companies to educate yourself about price points.

At Mulberry Park Silks, our products are well-priced and a wonderful value for their quality. We are very transparent about the factors that go into pricing our silk, including the weave, quality of silk, weight, and safety. You can read more about all these variables that factor into silk pricing or give us a call to discuss at any time.

8. A Few Simple Tests to Check for Authenticity

Though some can feel the difference by a simple touch test, for most people, determining the difference between natural and artificial silk requires a little more than relying on their eyes and fingers. Below are three tests that can help you know for certain if the silk is real or made of synthetic materials.

The Water Test

The water test is as easy as it sounds. Simply drop a single water droplet onto the surface of your fabric. Because silk is a natural protein fiber, it absorbs moisture differently than synthetics, meaning a water droplet will soak into the fiber much more quickly than its polyester counterpart, temporarily darkening the spot. Fake silk will repel water, and it will bead up on the surface, taking much longer to absorb. If a single thread of silk can conspicuously be removed, you can try teh bleach-water test, which entails adding a single thread or small piece of silk to a mixture of bleach and water (50/50). If the silk thread completely disspears/ dissolves, it is genuine silk. Polyester satin will remain nearly unchanged after being submerged in bleach due to its manufacturing process and petroleum content.

Debunking the"Silk Ring Test"

If you haven't heard of the old wives' tale known as the "silk ring test", allow us to explain what it is and why it is not the most effective way to determine silk's authenticity. Using a wedding ring or a similar smooth ring, you would gently pull a lightweight silk through it. The idea behind the ring test was that you could tell if an item was real silk because it would pass through a ring without catching or bunching. While this "may" be effective for telling if a small scarf is silk, it is NOT a good way to evaluate a larger item such as a silk pillowcase, sheet, or a silk duvet cover. Furthermore, even genuine silk items may not pass this test, making it unreliable. When it comes to knowing how to test silk, we think the burn test is far more reliable .

The Burn Test

We've saved the most exciting way of determining real silk vs. synthetic silk for last: the silk burn test. Does silk burn? Yes, and in a very specific way. Like hair, silk is a natural, protein-based fiber. Real silk burns slowly and in an irregular fashion, creates a soft gray ash, and smells like burnt hair. In contrast, synthetic imitations and artificial fabrics will essentially melt like plastic.

Don't burn your good silk items! Really, just don't do it. But if you want to perform the burn test for yourself, we'll be happy to send you a small swatch sample . Make sure to perform the test only under fire-safe conditions, such as outside in a clean fire pit, and follow all safety guidelines. (But again: Request a swatch sample. Do NOT burn your genuine silk pillowcase or bedding!)

Never Settle for Anything Other Than Genuine 100% Pure Silk

When it comes to evaluating pure mulberry silk vs. satin, there's really no competition. Real silk is lightweight yet drapes fluidly around the body. Only silk provides the beauty, health, and overall wellness benefits you desire. Silk prevents bedhead, tangles, and hair breakage; minimizes sleep wrinkles; keeps hair and skin moisturized; and naturally regulates body temperature for comfortable sleep. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and resistant to dust mites and other allergens. It's even wonderful for  babies!

Genuine Silk Bedding is Easy to Care For

Even better, most genuine silk—like the silk pillowcases and bedding sold at Mulberry Park Silks—can be easily washed by machine at home following these simple directions:

• Wash silk sheets separately in a 'silk-only' load

• Turn the silk pillowcases inside out

• Use mesh laundry bags when washing your silk bedding to prevent snags and tears inside the machine

• Wash on a gentle or "silk" cycle in cool water

• Silk can weaken when wet and is sensitive to abrasion and harsh chemicals. Never use fabric softener or bleach on genuine silk

• Don't put your silk sheets in the dryer. Hang your silk to dry indoors or outside, away from direct sunlight (the sun can cause silk to fade)

• Ironing silk is not necessary. If you choose to iron, follow these directions for ironing silk bedding without damaging it.

We also recommend using a detergent specifically made for washing silk, such as Heritage Park Silk and Wool Laundry Detergent. This pH-neutral formula is made to effectively clean protein-based fabrics without damaging the fibers.

Where to Buy Real Silk in the United States

If you're looking for truly authentic silk, we invite you to discover Mulberry Park Silks. As a silk-only company, we specialize exclusively in 100% mulberry silk at Grade 6A quality, the highest grade available. Every product is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, meaning it's been tested and verified free of harmful substances, and we are completely transparent about our quality standards and pricing so you always know exactly what you're getting.

What also sets us apart is that we are fully USA-based, with our headquarters, warehouse, and customer service all located in Branford, CT (no offshore support, no automated runaround). You can pick up the phone and speak directly with our team of silk experts, who are always ready to help you find exactly what you need.