With the passing era, the pure silk fabric market has widened a lot and forgery in this industry is even growing at a faster rate. Our innocent customers sometimes get trapped and cheated because of the lack of knowledge regarding the identification of pure silk fabric.
We areproviding you with some basic tips on how to identify pure silk saree from that of artificial/art silk saree because we want you to be smart enough while buying pure banarasi.
Bleach Test -Pure Silk or Mulberry Silk dissolves 100% in bleach.
Artificial Silk or Polyester does not change.
Burn Test- Pure Silk burns with transparency and smells like burnt hair and the burned part is crispy and could even be crushed into ashes. Pure Silk burns slowly when it comes in contact with fire but won’t catch fire and stops burning instantly when the flame is removed.
Artificial silk crumbles while burning, smells like burning plastic & will drip forming a black ball of residue which is not ash. It can catch fire and continues to burn with high flames even after the fire is removed.
Warmth Test -Pure silk gives a warm feeling when rubbed with fingers.
Artificial or synthetic silk does not give that warmth feeling when rubbed with fingers.
Lustre Test - Pure silk color looks different from different angles.
Artificial silk gives a white shine no matter from whatever angle you see.
Weave Test - Pure silk fabric carries irregularity and has a rough texture & this is what makes it unique.
Artificial silk is even throughout the fabric and gives a finished look.
Ring Test -Pure Silk is flexible & smooth in nature so it can easily slip out from ring (applicable on light silk only).
Artificial or synthetic silk won’t be able to pass through finger ring. It will bunch up and may even at times get stuck in the ring.
Silk Kothi endeavors every attempt to make our customers aware about the various types of banarasi silk fabrics, the techniques & patterns, the identification of pure fabric so that you always end up buying the best banarasi's.
FAQs
Pure silk should feel smooth, soft, and slightly cool to the touch. Synthetic silks, on the other hand, may feel slippery or excessively smooth. Sheen and Luster:Silk's natural luster is hard to replicate in synthetic fabrics. Hold the saree under natural light and observe its sheen.
How can you tell if a silk saree is pure? ›
Pure Silk burns slowly when it comes in contact with fire but won't catch fire and stops burning instantly when the flame is removed. Artificial silk crumbles while burning, smells like burning plastic & will drip forming a black ball of residue which is not ash.
How to identify real silk? ›
Natural silk will not flame up, and a burnt bit of fabric will have scorched black fibers that crumble between your fingers. Synthetic imitations (right) will burst into flame and leave behind a hardened black mass that cannot be crumbled between your fingers.
How to distinguish between pure silk saree and artificial silk saree? ›
∙ Natural and artificial silk can be distinguished using the flame test. Natural silk burns with a flame and gives off an odour similar to burning hair when exposed to fire. Artificial silk melts and shrinks, giving off a pungent odour when burnt.
What are the qualities of pure silk saree? ›
The natural tensile strength of silk (it is a protein!), despite its smoothness and luster, is absolutely unique, and so is the depth of its texture, its absorbency and pliability. It is not slippery or flimsy like synthetic materials, and is commercially extracted in white/ off-white yarn.
What does fake silk look like? ›
Fake silk will have a 'white sheen' (like plastic) from all angles, whereas silk fibres will only shimmer from a combination of light and angles. Fake silk is also stiffer, whereas real silk often has a 'water-like' slink. All bunched up. Very good fake silk, will feel like silk to the touch.
Does pure silk wrinkle easily? ›
Silk is not especially wrinkle prone, however it can easily become wrinkled when folded up in a drawer or packed away in a tight suitcase. Silk is a natural fiber, which means that it is not as wrinkle resistant as other fabrics made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon.
What does cheap silk feel like? ›
Cheaper types of silk tend to have more elasticity in them and aren't as durable and luxurious when it comes to the touch. This is down to the thread count within the silk and its momme weight. More expensive silks have a higher momme weight, giving them that thick, luxurious feel whilst remaining lightweight and airy.
How can you tell if silk marks are fake? ›
Burn Test – Pure Silk vs Fake Silk
The ash will be black and powdery, and the fabric will shrink away from the flame. On the other hand, if the fabric is not silk, it will have a chemical smell, and it will melt, shrink and forms a hard ball, and it will continue to burn if not stopped.
What is the difference between silk and pure silk? ›
Blended silk can still be of good quality, but it may not be as soft or durable as pure silk. Pure silk has better quality, better feel, and more delicate gloss, but of course it is more expensive.
You may wonder if all silk is shiny on both sides? Not necessarily if you have a printed or woven silk item. With a silk weave the pattern will appear fuzzier on the reverse whereas a printed pattern will be much more evident on one side compared to the other.
Is Banarasi silk real silk? ›
As a member of Silk Mark Organisation of India, Samyakk assures you that this product bears the Silk Mark certificate as a proof of product being made from pure natural silk.
How can I know my Kanchipuram saree is original? ›
Original Kanchipuram sarees take genuine craftsmanship as they are handwoven by master weavers, and use natural mulberry silk for their intricate weaving techniques. Keep an eye out for a Silk Mark certification from the Central Silk Board of India, and you can be sure that the saree you buy is of genuine quality.
Is pure silk soft or hard? ›
Silk has a smooth, soft texture that is not slippery, unlike many synthetic fibers. Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, but it loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. It has a good moisture regain of 11%.
Which type of silk saree is best? ›
The best quality of silk for a saree is typically considered to be pure mulberry silk. An example of a high-quality silk for a saree is "Kanchipuram silk" from Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, durability, and lustrous appearance.
How do you maintain a pure silk saree? ›
Wash them in cold water.
Always soak your silk sarees in mild detergents and hand wash them without using harsh brushes or bristles on them. If there is a stubborn mark you need to get rid of, get them dry cleaned. But avoid anything that can be harsh on the fabric surface.
What is the difference between fine silk and pure silk? ›
Blended silk can still be of good quality, but it may not be as soft or durable as pure silk. Pure silk has better quality, better feel, and more delicate gloss, but of course it is more expensive. The quality of blended yarn is not as good, the feel and gloss are worse, but the price is more affordable.
What is the difference between raw silk and pure silk? ›
Raw silk, being more naturally processed, seems to not be finely processed as it has not undergone a process of 3–4 days by silkworms, while on the other hand, pure silk is manufactured through a natural process that has multiple steps and results in forming the smoothest cloth ever.
