Definition of Silk
Silk is an animal fiber produced by the larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori used as building material for cocoons and webs. The shimmering appearance for which silk is treasured comes from the fibers’ triangular prism-like structure which allows the silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles.
In a commercial definition, silk refers to a filament from cocoons produced by the caterpillars of several moth species of the genus Bombyx, commonly called silkworms. Silk is a continuous filament around each cocoon. It is freed by softening the cocoon in water and then locating the filament end; the filaments from several cocoons are unwound at the same time, sometimes with a slight twist, to form a single strand. In the process called throwing, several very thin strands are twisted together to make thicker, stronger yarn.
Silk was discovered in China sometime before 2700 BC, and the secret of its production was closely guarded for millennia. Along with jade and spices, silk was the primary commodity traded along the Silk Road beginning about 100 BC. Many other synthetic fibers such as nylon have replaced silk in many applications, but silk remains an important luxury material for clothing.
For centuries silk has appropriately enjoyed the reputation as a sensuous, luxurious fabric, often associated with wealth and success. There are three different types of silk thread: the silk resulting from silkworm farming which is the most regular and most used; the tussah silk obtained from silkworm cocoons which live and breed naturally and which produce a thick and irregular silk thread; and double silk (shantung) obtained from the natural phenomenon of two silkworms working together one single cocoon and which produce a unique silk thread with iridescent fibers.t is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man.
Silk naturally reflects light which allows an unparalleled brilliance and a great richness in shades. The elasticity of the silk thread gives the cloth a particular resistance and, when it comes into contact with air, the material maintains its freshness and needs no ironing. Given its softness, silk allows the perfect molding of the material as well as elegant draping over the body. It is also hypoallergenic and maintains body heat to keep you warm on chilly days and nights.