Introduction
Ever been unsure if that beautiful saree is real silk? The luxurious feel of pure silk makes a saree a valuable heirloom indeed. However, people still don’t know how to identify a pure silk saree. Having prior knowledge about pure silk identification can save them from falling prey to sellers scamming them. In this guide, we will provide clear methods for identifying pure silk sarees from real ones. Buying real silk sarees will help the wearer effortlessly move and grace every occasion with confidence.
II. Visual Inspection: The First Step
● Luster and Sheen:
● The triangular prism-like structure of pure silk gives it a shimmering quality. The multi-colored sheen you notice in this silk visual test is because of pure silk’s unique structure.
● Pure silk reflects light differently than synthetics because of light refracting from different angles. While pure silk produces a multitude of colors, synthetic silk only has a white colored shine.
● Pure silk fabric has a subtle and natural shine in contrast with the artificial shine of polyester.
● Weave and Texture:
● The three fundamental types of silk weave include satin, plain, and twill weave. Pure silk can have variations in thickness depending on the weave type.
● Pure silk fabric has a smooth and soft texture but some sections of a pure silk fabric will be thicker than others.
● Cheap imitation silk fabrics have a perfectly smooth texture with even thickness in weave and no irregularities in texture.
● Color Variations:
● Pure silk changes color when the onlooker views it from different angles. The iridescent appearance of pure silk stands out from fake silk’s whitish appearance.
● Pure silk has lustrous rainbow-like colors, while synthetic silk has a flat and uniform appearance.
III. The Tactile Test: Feel the Difference
● Warmth:
● Real silk warms to the touch. Pure silk will change with the change in temperature when you do a silk touch test.
● In contrast with the warm feel of pure silk, synthetic silk does not change with the change in temperature when you rub silk between fingers.
● Smoothness and Softness:
● Real silk has a good feel of smoothness to it. The fabric has a waxy feel. Pure silk sarees can be a little difficult to drape because it's smooth. It can be challenging to create neat drapes because this saree flows naturally.
● A pure silk saree is on the smoother end. It is not slippery like synthetic silk. A traditional pure silk saree can even be difficult to drape compared to a synthetic silk saree.
● Crinkle Test:
● Pure silk will make a scrunchy noise when you rub the fabric against each other. The snow crunch-like noise will tell you if a saree is of pure silk quality or not.
● The dull and muffled sound of fabric compared to a scrunchy noise will tell you it's a synthetic silk saree and not a pure silk one.
IV. The Burn Test: A Reliable Method
● Safety Precautions:
● A fabric burn test should be performed safely in an area with proper ventilation. Make sure you conduct the burn test in an area away from flammable materials.
● You can perform the burn test with a small sample of silk fabric. Cut a small piece of fabric, i.e., 1-2 inches square. You can use tweezers to hold the silk fabric. You can burn this fabric and analyze its residue to understand its type.
● Burning Characteristics:
● Real silk burns with the smell of burning hair or feathers. Pure silk fiber is rich in natural fiber protein, and that’s why it burns slowly with a smell similar to burning hair.
● Pure silk produces a fine and brittle ash. This soft-black ash can be easily crushed.
● Synthetic silk melts to produce a strong chemical odor or a plastic-like smell.
● After-Burn Residue:
● The powdery ash left by silk leaves a soft and black after-burn residue similar to what’s left after burning hair. Synthetics leave a hard-bead residue with a sticky feel similar to a plastic-like bob.
V. Expert Tips and Considerations
● Buying from Reputable Sources:
● Marketplaces are flooded with fake silk sarees and the main problem is customers are unaware about the growing silk scam. Trusted retailers do sell pure silk sarees for reasonable prices that are mostly unaffordable for many. Sarees made with this incredibly expensive textile should only be purchased from a retailer after doing their proper background research.
● The silk authenticity of a saree can be determined by a primary certification label by the Indian Government called “Silk Mark.” The Silk Mark Organization of India is responsible for the certification process of this label after conducting an authentic silk test.
● Price as an Indicator:
● Pure silk is made from silkworm cocoons. Companies use natural as well as labor-intensive methods to make real silk sarees. These sarees are generally more expensive compared to cheap man-made materials like polyester silk.
● Buyers should be wary of the low prices of silk sarees. Real silk sarees usually cost ten times more compared to the cost of fake silk sarees. It is unlikely to find pure silk sarees at a bargain price. Genuine silk sarees are always high-priced.
● Blends:
● Silk blends are made from combinations of different materials with pure silk fibers. Blended silk came into existence to make silk sarees durable, smooth, and affordable for everyone. You can identify a silk blend from pure silk through the burn test.
● Synthetic silk blends will melt and drop to the burn test. They will create a distinct chemical odor which will indicate the presence of non-silk fibers like cotton blend, polyester blend, rayon blend, etc.
● Experience and Practice:
● Distinguishing between real silk vs fake silk becomes easier with practice. At first, it can be tricky to identify from a single aspect in mind. You can always go to a contemporary store and investigate the garment construction with the tactics we have shared. You can check labels, texture, blend, smell, and more to identify pure silk.
VI. Conclusion
You can identify pure silk from fake silk through visual inspection, the tactile test, and the silk burn test. Knowing how to tell real silk apart from synthetic silk sarees can save you from getting scammed by inauthentic retailers and marketplaces flooded with fake silks. Use the above-mentioned tips to save yourself from investing money in fake imitation silk. Real silk is something that cannot be replicated, and that’s what makes it a worthwhile investment. Enjoy the luxury of Silk Mark-certified sarees from reputable online stores like Chhunchi.