Is Mulberry Silk Real Silk? What You Need to Know Before Buying

Short answer: yes. Mulberry silk is real silk — and it's the highest quality silk available.

But the question isn't unreasonable. The word "silk" gets thrown around loosely in product marketing. "Silk satin," "silky smooth," "art silk" — these terms are designed to create confusion. So let's clear it up with actual facts about what mulberry silk is, how it's made, and why it costs what it costs.

What Makes Silk "Real"

Real silk is a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms. The key species is Bombyx mori, the domesticated silkworm that feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves. The worm spins a cocoon from a single continuous thread that can stretch up to 900 meters (nearly 3,000 feet).

This thread is made of two proteins:

• Fibroin (75-80%) — the structural protein that gives silk its strength and smoothness
• Sericin (20-25%) — a gummy coating that holds the cocoon together and has natural moisturizing and antibacterial properties

When we say "real silk," we mean fiber that came from a silkworm. Not polyester. Not rayon. Not nylon with a satin weave. Real, animal-derived protein fiber.

Mulberry silk is the most common and most refined type of real silk. It accounts for roughly 90% of the world's silk production.

Types of Real Silk (Not All Are Equal)

Here's where it gets interesting. There are several types of real silk:

Mulberry Silk (Grade 6A)

• Source: Bombyx mori silkworm, fed only mulberry leaves
• Fiber: Nearly perfectly round, uniform, white
• Quality: Finest, smoothest, most consistent
• Used in: Premium bonnets, scarves, pillowcases, luxury clothing

Tussah (Wild) Silk

• Source: Wild silkworms (various species), eat oak and other leaves
• Fiber: Coarser, darker, less uniform
• Quality: Still real silk, but rougher texture and less consistent
• Used in: Textured fabrics, lower-cost silk products

Eri Silk

• Source: Samia ricini silkworm
• Fiber: Cannot be reeled into long threads (harvested after the moth exits)
• Quality: Warmer, heavier than mulberry silk
• Used in: Blankets, shawls, heavier garments

Muga Silk

• Source: Antheraea assamensis, found only in Assam, India
• Fiber: Naturally golden colored, extremely durable
• Quality: Rare and expensive
• Used in: Traditional Indian garments

The bottom line: All of these are "real silk." Mulberry silk is the premium tier because of its uniformity, smoothness, and the controlled conditions under which it's produced.

Grading System: What 6A Means

Mulberry silk is graded from A to 6A, where 6A is the highest quality:

Grade	Fiber Quality	Uniformity	Typical Use
A-2A	Basic, may have imperfections	Low	Budget silk products
3A-4A	Good quality, minor variations	Medium	Mid-range clothing
5A	High quality, consistent	High	Quality accessories
6A	Top grade, near-perfect fibers	Very high	Premium accessories, medical silk

At Muriersilk, all products use 6A grade mulberry silk. The difference is visible and tactile — 6A silk has a more consistent sheen and feels noticeably smoother against skin.

What "Momme" Means

You'll see momme weight (written as "mm" or "momme") on silk product descriptions. This measures silk density.

• 16-19 momme: Lightweight, good for scarves and linings
• 19-22 momme: Standard for pillowcases, bonnets, eye masks
• 22-25 momme: Heavy, durable, ideal for bedding and accessories
• 25-33 momme: Very heavy, maximum durability (our sleeping gloves are 33 momme)

Higher momme = denser silk = more durable. It also tends to block light better and retain its smooth texture longer.

How to Tell If Your Silk Is Real

If you're not sure about a product's claims, there are a few tests:

The Price Test

Real mulberry silk products rarely cost less than $25 for small items (scrunchies, eye masks) or less than $60 for larger items (bonnets, pillowcases). If a "silk" bonnet costs $12, it's almost certainly polyester satin.

The Touch Test

Real silk feels cool to the touch — not room temperature, noticeably cool. It warms up quickly when you hold it. Polyester feels the same temperature as its surroundings.

The Burn Test

Cut a small thread from a hidden seam.

• Real silk: Burns slowly, curls into a ball, smells like burning hair. Ash crumbles easily.
• Polyester: Melts, curls into hard plastic bead, smells like burning plastic.

The Ring Test

Pull the fabric through a ring (a finger ring works). Real silk slides through smoothly and springs back without wrinkling. Polyester catches and creates static.

The Label Test

Look for: "100% mulberry silk" and a momme weight. If the label says "satin," "silk satin," "silk-like," or "art silk" — it's not real silk.

Common Fakes and Misleading Terms

Term	What It Actually Is
Satin	A weave pattern, usually polyester
Silk satin	Sometimes real silk in satin weave, sometimes marketing for polyester
Art silk	Rayon or viscose — not silk at all
Silk-like	Definitely not silk
Charmeuse	A weave pattern (can be silk or polyester charmeuse)
Habotai	A lightweight silk weave — this one IS real silk

The safest approach: look for "100% mulberry silk" plus a momme weight on the product description or care label.

Why Mulberry Silk Costs More

Real mulberry silk is expensive because of the production process:

1. Controlled farming: Bombyx mori silkworms are raised in controlled environments and fed only fresh mulberry leaves.
2. Single-thread extraction: Each cocoon yields about 300-900 meters of continuous thread. Extracting it without breaking requires skill and patience.
3. Grading: Only the finest fibers make it to 6A grade. Lower-quality fibers go into cheaper products.
4. Finishing: The silk is degummed (sericin partially removed), dyed, and woven — each step requires specialized handling.

A single silk bonnet uses silk from approximately 2,000-3,000 cocoons. That's the labor and biology behind the price.

Related Reading

• Best Silk Bonnets for Sleeping in 2026 — Now that you know what real silk is, find the best bonnet for your hair.
• 9 Benefits of Sleeping on Silk — Why the amino acid structure of silk matters for your skin and hair.
• How to Wash Silk: The Complete Care Guide — Real silk needs real care. Here's how.
• Silk vs Satin Bonnet — The most common "fake silk" confusion explained in detail.