Collection: Cashmere Collection

Distinguishing natural silk from synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon can be challenging, as synthetic fibers are often made to mimic the look and feel of silk. Here are some reliable methods to help identify real silk:

1. Burn Test
• How to do it: Take a small thread from an inconspicuous area and carefully burn it with a lighter.
• Real Silk Reaction: Natural silk will burn slowly and smell like burning hair due to its protein composition. It will produce a small, brittle ash that crumbles easily.
• Synthetic Reaction: Synthetic fibers will usually melt rather than burn, producing a chemical or plastic-like smell and leaving behind a hard, melted bead rather than ash.

2. Touch and Feel Test
• Real Silk: Natural silk feels soft, smooth, and warm to the touch. When you rub it between your fingers, it will warm up quickly and glide smoothly.
• Synthetic Silk: Synthetic fabrics often feel cooler and have a more slippery or even “plastic” feel. They usually don’t warm up as quickly as real silk does when rubbed.

3. Shine and Appearance
• Real Silk: Natural silk has a subtle, elegant luster that reflects light at different angles, giving it a soft shimmer. The shine on silk is often more complex, with a “two-tone” effect.
• Synthetic Silk: Synthetic fabrics can appear overly shiny or metallic, and their luster is often uniform without the depth or changing hues seen in real silk.

4. Wrinkle Test
• Real Silk: Natural silk will wrinkle when you squeeze it in your hand. The wrinkles should disappear relatively quickly when smoothed out.
• Synthetic Silk: Synthetics often spring back into shape immediately after being wrinkled or may not wrinkle as easily as silk does.

5. Water Drop Test
• Real Silk: Place a small drop of water on the fabric. Natural silk absorbs water slowly and leaves a darkened spot that fades as it dries.
• Synthetic Silk: Synthetics typically do not absorb water in the same way and may not darken or dry almost instantly.

6. Sound Test (Rustle Test)
• Real Silk: When you rub natural silk fabric together, it produces a faint rustling sound, sometimes referred to as a “scroop” sound. This sound is unique to silk due to the way the fibers are woven.
• Synthetic Silk: Synthetics are usually quieter and do not produce the same rustling sound.

Real silk can become slightly electrified under certain conditions, though it generally resists static electricity due to its natural properties. Here are the conditions and factors that can lead to a mild static buildup in silk:

1. Dry, Low-Humidity Environments
• In very dry conditions, such as during winter or in artificially heated spaces, the lack of moisture in the air can prevent silk from absorbing enough humidity. This dryness reduces its ability to dissipate electric charges, making silk more prone to static buildup.
• While real silk absorbs moisture better than synthetics, when the air is very dry, it can still retain a mild static charge.

2. Friction from Rubbing Against Synthetic Materials
• Silk can pick up static if it rubs against synthetic materials, like polyester, nylon, or plastic. Friction from movement, especially in a dry environment, can cause electrons to transfer between silk and synthetic fabrics, leading to a minor static charge.
• For example, wearing a silk blouse under a synthetic sweater can cause mild static buildup as the two materials rub together.

3. Washing and Drying Methods
• Washing silk with synthetic fabrics or using a tumble dryer can lead to static buildup, as the friction in the dryer increases the chance of electron transfer. To avoid this, it’s best to air dry silk or dry it separately from synthetics.

4. Blended Silk Fabrics
• If silk is blended with synthetic fibers, it may have a higher chance of becoming electrified. Blends often combine silk with materials like polyester to reduce costs, but this can increase the likelihood of static.

1. Humidifier: Using a humidifier in the room can prevent static buildup by adding moisture to the air

2. Misting with Water: Lightly misting the fabric or rubbing it with a damp cloth can help discharge any static charge on the silk.

3. Anti-Static Spray: A gentle anti-static spray can be applied, though this should be done with caution on delicate silk fabrics.

4. Metal Hanger Trick: Running a metal hanger over the silk can help discharge static buildup without harming the fabric.

Yes, silk can shrink if exposed to hot water or high heat. To prevent this, always wash it in cold or lukewarm water and avoid using the dryer.