Not all silks are equal. The most well-known and popular type of silk is Mulberry Silk - while it is esteemed silk steeped in history as well as our preferred silk here at Gingerlily, it is not the only type of silk. There are actually several different types of silk, made from different sources and produced in different ways. We explain more about each of the different types of silk as well as why we think Mulberry silk is the finest silk to use in bedding and linens.

Charmeuse

Woven with a satin weave, Charmeuse is a soft lightweight fabric with a nice drape to it. Often confused with satin, Charmeuse also has a lustrous shine on one side and a dull matte finish on the other. The difference between the two is that Charmeuse is a shinier fabric.

Chiffon

A sheer, elegant fabric with a slightly rough gauze-like texture and a beautiful drape. Made from fine twisted fibers, Chiffon silk is a very lightweight fabric with a slight stretch to it.

Dupion Silk

A plain-weave, tightly woven double-thread silk with a crisp, textured appearance. Woven with different sized weft and warp threads produces a strong, durable fabric with a lustrous shine. Notice the occasional black speck which may run through the weave, this is part of the original cocoon of the silkworm.

Silk Satin

Oozing opulence, pure satin is a highly valuable material with a rich look and feel. The glossy, shiny surface is smooth to the touch and emits a mesmerizing shine.

Velvet

A luxurious, medium-to-heavy-weight silk fabric made with multiple warps and wefts. Unusually soft and creates a beautiful drape with a premium shine that catches the light in different ways.

Mulberry Silk

Mulberry Silk is the world’s favorite silk and accounts for around 90% of silk produced globally. It is so popular because it is thought to be the highest quality silk and is produced by the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori.