Simple methods for identifying real silk fabric:
- Visual Inspection: Examine the fabric's sheen for a soft and bright appearance, check for even and vibrant colors without variations or discrepancies. Look for any pulled threads, and inspect for defects like broken warp or missing weft.
- Touch: Feel if the fabric is soft and smooth, check for any dragging sensation when rubbing the silk. If these sensations are absent, it may not be real silk.
- Friction: Dry real silk, when rubbed against each other, produces a crisp sound known as "silk rustle." If there is no rustling sound, it may be synthetic fabric instead of real silk.
- Burning: Extract a strand of silk yarn from the fabric's edge and ignite it with a match. Real silk burns slowly, curls into a ball, emits an odor similar to burning hair or feathers, and leaves behind a blackish-brown powdery residue upon touching. The burning ceases once the silk is removed from the flame.
