Is Silk Expensive? 

Last Updated on January 17, 2023

Yes, silk is an expensive fabric that has been used for centuries, not only for its beauty but for its quality. It is known for being expensive due to the time, effort, and skill involved.

In addition, silk is so highly sought after because it is exceptionally soft and has a natural sheen that gives it a luxurious feel. Despite its elegant nature, silk is surprisingly ideal for clothing, bedding, and other home goods.

Why is Silk So Expensive?

Silk has been valued for centuries for its luxurious feel and luxurious look. It has been a status symbol for many centuries.

Silk’s high cost is due to the expensive production process of finding, harvesting, and spinning silk fibers into yarn. The amount of time and labor involved in the process makes silk an expensive material, but it is worth the investment due to its durability and quality.

How Expensive is Silk?

The price of silk usually varies between 80-100$ per yard. Mulberry silk costs 60$ per yard.

How Can You Tell if Silk is Real? – Real Silk vs. Fake Silk

Silk has been used for generations as a luxury fabric. It can add elegance to any garment. But with the availability of synthetic fabrics, it can be hard to tell if what you buy is genuine silk. Here are some hints to help you recognize real silk:

1. Look at the fabric

Real silk should have a subtle sheen on the surface, which should be soft and smooth to the touch. Genuine silk should look smooth and have a smooth texture.

2. Check for Quality

Real silk fabrics are usually high-quality, with fine stitching along the edges and even seams throughout.

3. Burn Test

Gently take a strand of the fabric and hold it to an open flame. Real silk produces ash that is crisp, dark, and easily turned into a powder. After removing the flame source, real silk will rapidly self-extinguish and smell like burning human hair.

4. Rub Test

Take two strands of the material and rub them together briskly for about 30 seconds. If there is static electricity on pieces of the fabric, then it is real silk.

5. Test the silk’s Voice

It is yet another technique to examine the authenticity of silk. When rubbed, true silk typically makes a sound. It’s known as the silk voice. If silk is quiet, it is artificial and not real silk.

What Does Fake Silk Look Like? 

Polyester, rayon, mercerized cotton, a combination of these materials, or a combination of rayon and silk, are all used to create fake silk. In fake silk, neither the warps nor the wefts will be uniform in thickness, and the thread will be uneven. It’s expected that the colors won’t be uniform and will have faults.

Does Silk Last a Long Time? 

When it comes to fabrics, silk is among the most long-lasting options. It generally lasts for a lifetime if properly cared for and can even remain in good condition beyond the lifetime. It is a luxurious fabric known for its softness and strength, making it an ideal choice for dressy attire. Its natural quality makes it easier to care for and keeps it looking new for longer.

Is It Cruel to Buy Silk?

The debate about the cruelty behind producing silk has been ongoing for many years. The answer is somewhat complicated. In some cases, the silkworm is not harmed during production because silk is derived from the stem rather than the cocoon. 

But, indeed, it is cruel to produce silk. In recent years there have been various reports of workers using unethical practices when harvesting silk, such as boiling the cocoons alive. Each year, millions of silkworms are boiled alive to obtain their cocoons – a cruel cycle.

Besides, sometimes worms are kept in small, overcrowded cages and only fed mulberry leaves for their short lifespans. This can lead to malnutrition and cannibalism, causing significant suffering to the worms. 

In addition, as they reach adulthood, silkworms spontaneously chew their way out of the cocoon. Thus, silkworms are being killed to maintain the thread’s value, length, and quality.

For these reasons, many people consider the silk production process inherently cruel to the silkworms. Thus consumers who consider themselves ethical find buying silk cruel.

Final Words

Silk has become a fashion staple over the years. From dresses to suits, it’s everywhere. But does its cost really worth it? Silk is a natural fiber produced from the cocoon of the mulberry moth. The raw material is then processed into yarn or thread before being woven into fabric.

Silk is indeed very expensive compared to other fabrics. But it also has usefulness, such as absorbing moisture and retaining heat. Invest in nice pieces rather than cheap copies if you want to dress in silk.