Mulberry silk is the finest and most widely produced silk in the world, spun by the Bombyx mori silkworm, which feeds exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry tree. That single-source diet is what sets it apart: it produces long, smooth, uniform fibers, which is why mulberry silk is softer, stronger and more lustrous than any other silk on the market.
As silk specialists with over 20 years of experience, we work with 6A-grade, long-strand mul...
Mulberry silk is the finest and most widely produced silk in the world, spun by the Bombyx mori silkworm, which feeds exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry tree. That single-source diet is what sets it apart: it produces long, smooth, uniform fibers, which is why mulberry silk is softer, stronger and more lustrous than any other silk on the market.
As silk specialists with over 20 years of experience, we work with 6A-grade, long-strand mulberry silk every day, and this is the question we're asked more than almost any other. This guide covers what mulberry silk actually is, how it's made, what the grading and momme figures mean, and how to buy it with confidence. If you'd like to feel the difference for yourself, explore our silk bedding collection.
Mulberry silk is a natural protein fiber produced by the domesticated Bombyx mori silkworm. It takes its name from the mulberry tree, since this is the only food source the silkworm is fed. That controlled, single-species diet is what gives mulberry silk its defining qualities: longer, cleaner, more consistent filaments than silk from moths with a varied diet. It's why mulberry silk is considered the highest quality silk available and accounts for the vast majority of the world's silk production today.
In practical terms, this means an exceptional softness, a natural sheen rather than a synthetic shine, and a surprising strength given how delicate the fabric feels. It's the reason mulberry silk is the material of choice for fine bedding, sleepwear and high-end apparel worldwide.
Mulberry silk is made of two natural proteins. Fibroin is the structural filament that forms the thread itself, giving silk its strength and smoothness. Sericin is a natural gum that binds the filaments together inside the cocoon and is largely removed during processing. Because silk is protein-based, its structure has more in common with human hair and skin than with any plant or synthetic fiber – a large part of why it feels so comfortable against the body and why it behaves so differently from cotton once you're sleeping on it.
This is also where the idea of pure mulberry silk matters. Genuine mulberry silk is 100% fibroin filament from the Bombyx mori cocoon. Blends, silk-look synthetics and silk-cotton mixes are all sold in ways that can make them easy to mistake for the real thing, which is why checking the fiber content is the first thing worth doing before you buy – more on that below.
Mulberry silk originates in China, where sericulture (the practice of raising silkworms to produce silk) dates back more than 5,000 years. The Bombyx mori silkworm has been bred for this purpose for so long that it no longer survives in the wild; it depends entirely on cultivation and a diet of mulberry leaves. Production spread gradually across East Asia, and by the 13th century Italian traders had carried the material into Europe, where it went on to become a fabric of nobility and, eventually, one of the world's most established luxury textiles. Today mulberry silk is produced in several countries, but the process itself: feeding, cocoon, reel, weave – has changed remarkably little.
At around five to six weeks old, the silkworm begins spinning its cocoon from a single, continuous filament that can run to roughly a kilometer in length. That's the detail that explains mulberry silk's exceptional smoothness: fewer joins mean fewer weak points and a more even thread. Once the cocoon is complete, the filaments are unraveled, or reeled, cleaned to remove the sericin gum, and woven into fabric.
The distinction that matters most here is between long-strand and short-strand silk. Long-strand silk uses the full, unbroken filament, producing the smooth, durable fabric used in fine bedding. Short-strand silk is spun from broken or leftover fibers and is noticeably less smooth and less hard-wearing. All Gingerlily silk is long-strand.
There's also a gentler harvesting method worth knowing about. Traditional mulberry silk production requires the cocoon to be boiled before the moth emerges, meaning the moth doesn't survive – though the silkworms are then used as a valuable food source, providing nutrition within local communities. An alternative method allows the moth to leave the cocoon naturally, around ten days later than silk is traditionally harvested. This is known as peace silk, and it's rarely used commercially because it yields far less silk for considerably more labor – which is why it typically costs close to double the price of standard mulberry silk.
No. Mulberry silk is the most refined type of silk, but it isn't the only one, and the differences come down to what the silkworm eats and how the cocoon is harvested.
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Silk Type |
Source |
Fiber & Texture |
Best For |
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Mulberry silk |
Bombyx mori, fed exclusively on mulberry leaves |
Long, smooth, uniform filament |
Fine bedding, sleepwear, luxury apparel |
|
Tussah (wild) silk |
Wild silkworms feeding on oak and other leaves |
Shorter, coarser, naturally golden-brown |
Textured scarves, casual apparel |
|
Eri and muga silk |
Other wild silkworm varieties |
Rougher, less uniform, distinct character |
Specialty textiles, regional weaving |
|
Charmeuse |
A weave, typically of mulberry silk |
Glossy face, matte reverse |
Silk garments and linings |
|
Satin |
A weave, usually synthetic polyester |
Mirror-like sheen, not a natural fiber |
Budget bedding and apparel (not genuine silk) |
Tussah silk comes from silkworms that feed on oak and other leaves in the wild, and because the moth breaks its own cocoon to emerge, the resulting fibers are shorter and coarser, with a natural golden-brown tone. Eri and muga are other wild varieties, valued for their character but less uniform than mulberry. Charmeuse and satin aren't silk types at all – they're weaves. Charmeuse is usually mulberry silk woven to give a glossy front and matte back, while most satin sold today is synthetic polyester rather than silk of any kind, which is a common source of confusion when shopping.
So when people ask whether mulberry silk is "better" than regular silk, the honest answer is that fiber length and consistency are what separate it from every other type – and that's exactly what produces the softness, sheen and durability mulberry silk is known for.
For a closer look at how each type compares, see our guide to the different types of silk.
The benefits of mulberry silk go beyond how it looks and feels. As a smooth, natural protein fiber, it behaves very differently from cotton or synthetics once it's on your bed.
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Raw silk is graded on a scale running from the lowest classifications up through C, B and A, then through 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A. 6A is the highest grade of mulberry silk available.
Grading assesses the raw silk before it's woven, based on the qualities that determine how the finished fabric will look, feel and last:
In practice, higher-grade mulberry silk resists snagging and fraying, holds its sheen for longer, and feels noticeably smoother against the skin. Lower grades use shorter or less uniform fibers, which is why cheaper silk can pill, dull or wear through far sooner than it should.
All Gingerlily products are made from 6A-grade mulberry silk, and our bedding also carries OEKO-TEX certification, confirming it has been independently tested for harmful substances. It's the same grade we've worked with for over 20 years, and the standard we won't go below.
Shop 6A-grade silk bedding.
Momme, written as mm and pronounced "mom-ee," measures silk's weight and density, in the same way thread count is used for cotton. One momme is roughly 3.75 grams per square meter, so a higher momme number means a heavier, denser fabric.
Grade and momme are often confused, but they measure different things. Grade describes the quality of the raw fiber; momme describes the weight of the finished fabric. Silk can be high grade and lightweight, or heavier and lower grade, so it's worth checking both figures rather than assuming one implies the other.
For silk bedding, momme generally runs from about 19 to 25, and all of these are suitable – the difference is one of weight and drape, not quality:
Below roughly 16 momme, silk becomes too sheer for bedding and suits scarves or lightweight garments better. Above 25, the fabric starts to lose the fluidity that makes silk feel distinctive in the first place.
Every piece of Gingerlily bed linen is woven at 19 momme from 6A-grade silk – the sweet spot for a fabric that drapes beautifully without ever feeling flimsy.
Mulberry silk commands a premium for good reason. It takes roughly 5,500 cocoons to produce a single kilogram of raw silk, and those silkworms are fed a controlled diet of mulberry leaves throughout their growth cycle. The threads are then carefully reeled, cleaned and woven by hand at several stages – a process that simply can't be rushed or mechanized without losing quality.
Combine that labor intensity with mulberry silk's exceptional strength, softness and sheen, along with the natural benefits covered above, and the premium price reflects a material that performs and lasts in a way synthetic or blended alternatives don't.
A handful of checks will tell you most of what you need to know before you buy.
Every Gingerlily product ticks each of these boxes as standard, so there's no guesswork involved. Shop the full silk collection.
Mulberry silk asks for a little extra care, but it's far less high-maintenance than people expect. Wash at a cool temperature – no more than 30°C (86°F) – using a mild detergent formulated for silk, and skip the tumble dryer entirely. Air dry away from direct sunlight and radiators, and iron on a cool setting if needed. Handled this way, silk bedding holds its softness, sheen and shape wash after wash.
For a full room-by-room and product-by-product breakdown, see our guide to caring for your silk.
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Today, mulberry silk is most commonly found in bedding, sleepwear and accessories, where its natural properties do the most for how you look, feel and sleep.
Mulberry silk transforms how a bed performs as much as how it looks. Silk pillowcases, duvet covers and sheets are the natural starting point, and silk-filled comforters extend the same temperature-regulating benefits to what's inside the cover, not just on top of it. Gingerlily's comforters come in summer, all-seasons and winter weights, designed to work independently or combine – the summer weight buttons and ties directly to the all-seasons or winter weight for a genuinely flexible layering system, and couples with different temperature preferences can also choose a half & half comforter with a different fill weight on each side.
Silk carries the same benefits off the bed and into your daily routine. Dressing gowns, eye masks and hair accessories bring the same softness to your evening and morning routine.
All Gingerlily products are crafted from 6A-grade, long-strand mulberry silk, whatever you choose.
Now you have the full picture – what mulberry silk is, how it's graded, what momme to look for, and how to buy it with confidence. Designed in London and crafted from 6A-grade mulberry silk for more than 20 years, Gingerlily's collection is built to bring that quality into your home. Explore the full silk bedding collection.
Genuine mulberry silk feels soft and slightly warm to the touch, with a subtle, natural sheen that looks similar on both sides of the fabric – synthetic satin has a harsher, mirror-like shine that's usually brighter on one side than the other. Check the label for "100% mulberry silk" rather than vague terms like "silk-like" or "satin," look for a stated grade (6A is highest) and momme weight (19–25 for bedding), and check for OEKO-TEX or similar certification. If a seller won't confirm the grade or momme, that's a reliable sign the product isn't genuine long-strand mulberry silk.
A well-made, 6A-grade silk-filled product, such as a duvet or pillow, will easily last 10 years or more with proper care. Unlike down or synthetic fills, which lose loft and performance over time, silk maintains its strength and temperature-regulating properties throughout its lifespan. Silk bed linen, such as sheets and pillowcases, can also offer excellent longevity, though this depends more on factors like usage, friction and care – washing at a cool temperature with a mild silk detergent and never tumble drying will help it last as long as possible.
Yes, mulberry silk is naturally hypoallergenic and one of the most skin-friendly fabrics available. It resists dust mites and common allergens, doesn't draw moisture from the skin the way cotton can, and its smooth fiber surface reduces the friction that irritates sensitive or reactive skin overnight.
Mulberry silk costs more than tussah, eri or other wild silks because of both quality and labor. It takes roughly 5,500 cocoons to produce a single kilogram of raw silk, and Bombyx mori silkworms are fed a controlled mulberry-leaf diet throughout their growth cycle, unlike wild silkworms that forage freely. The result is a longer, cleaner, more uniform filament, which is more labor-intensive to produce but delivers the softness, strength and sheen that set mulberry silk apart.
