Is That Real silk? How to Tell If a Fabric is Pure Silk

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A lot of people believe they are buying pure silk, but without having any prior knowledge of how to tell real silk apart, you run the risk of buying cheap quality shiny fabric or synthetic fabric blends.

Here are three quick ways to find out, even if you aren't an expert.

• The Touch Test: Real Silk feels buttery soft, cool to the touch, and glides through your fingers. Fake silk usually feels stiff, plasticky or too smooth.

  Tip: Crush it gently - real silk wrinkles easily, then smooths out.

• The Light Trick: Hold the Silk upto a light source. Real Silk has a subtle, natural sheen. Fake Silk is overly shiny, with a white or yellowish glare.

Tip: Move it around, real Silk's luster shifts as the light hits it.

• The Burn Test (Only with scraps): Real Silk burns slowly, smells like burnt hair and leaves a crispy ash. Fake Silk melts, smells like plastic and forms a hard black bead.

Note: Do this only with permission and never on a finished piece.

Remember, real Silk is a luxury fabric and always comes with a high price tag. If it's relatively cheap, it's most likely an artificial fabric. Once you can tell real Silk apart, you protect your investment and elevate your crafted pieces.