One of the world’s rarest silks is Muga since it is only found in Assam, India. It is an unusual type of mulberry silk, which comes from trees in the genus Morinda rather than the European mulberry or silk cocoons, and has a lighter and more translucent color. This fiber is made through a traditional hand-carding process that takes approximately 12 hours.
What is Muga silk?
Muga silk is made from the dried leaves of a mulberry tree. This type of plant grows in the state of Assam, in India. The leaves are picked and rolled into small balls with a machine and then separated from the other fibers. The balls are dyed, spun into threads, and woven into fabrics. At this point, Muga silk is ready to be sold to end consumers or used for commercial purposes such as sewing or crafting.
What’s the difference between Muga silk and other silks?
Typically, most silks have been produced through a chemical bleaching process that turns the fibers white. Muga silk, on the other hand, is naturally a more cream or off-white color. This process also gives it a much finer texture than other silks. Only about 1 in 100 cocoons produces Muga silk, so it isn’t easy to harvest since you cannot determine whether the cocoon will produce the silk before reeling. Some of these cocoons can be as long as 12 inches.
How can I find out more about this particular type of silk?
When looking for a Muga scarf or shawl, ensure it has been certified by the Muga Silk Promotion Council in India. This organization was founded in 2006 and gave certificates to Muga silk products that meet specific requirements. Muga silk fibers are also sold by the yard, and you can find them. Remember, though, that these prices may not be very accurate since these items have been sitting around in people’s attics or closets for a while and may have yet been cleaned or inspected.
Why is it expensive?
Muga silk was costly, so only products for the wealthy were produced. However, this has changed, and now Muga silk can be purchased for reasonable prices. One of the best places to buy Muga silk is in India, especially if you want an authentic product. Most online stores that sell Muga silk will have to have a manufacturer’s certificate to be considered genuine. Many online retailers sell fabric and yarn, although they may only sometimes have this certificate to ensure authenticity. So the only way to ensure you get something genuine is by visiting an actual store and inspecting their products before bringing them back home.
Conclusion:
Muga silk is a delicately beautiful material from an endangered plant and only occurs in just one part of the world. You cannot find something like this often, but if you do, you definitely want it for yourself or someone special in your life. These products are usually expensive since they are hard to find and produce.