If you are looking to buy silk bed linen or a silk pillowcase, you will often come across specifications such as 19, 22, or 25 momme, as well as designations like 6A. These terms are often understood as quality grades – yet in reality, they describe different properties of silk.
The short answer: Momme describes the fabric weight of silk. A higher momme count means more silk material per unit of fabric area, but not automatically a higher quality. 6A, on the other hand, refers to the classification of raw silk. For the quality of a finished silk product, fiber, yarn, weaving, dyeing, and workmanship are also decisive.
What does momme mean for silk?
Momme – often abbreviated as mm – is a traditional unit of weight for silk fabrics. It describes how much a defined area of the fabric weighs.
The higher the momme count, the more silk material is generally contained in a comparable area of fabric. A 22 momme fabric is therefore heavier than a comparable 19 momme fabric.
However, this does not automatically mean that the heavier fabric is of better quality.
How many grams per square meter correspond to a momme count?
Momme can be roughly converted into grams per square meter. This results in the following reference values:
| Momme | approx. fabric weight |
|---|---|
| 16 Momme | approx. 69 g/m² |
| 19 Momme | approx. 82 g/m² |
| 22 Momme | approx. 95 g/m² |
| 25 Momme | approx. 108 g/m² |
These values primarily show the difference in fabric weight. On their own, they are not an assessment of silk quality.
Is 22 or 25 momme better than 19 momme?
No. More momme does not automatically mean better silk.
A fabric with 22 or 25 momme contains more material per area and therefore often feels heavier and denser. However, a high-quality 19 momme fabric can be better crafted than a heavier silk fabric.
Which momme count makes sense also depends on the intended use. For bed linen and pillowcases, for example, a fine 19 momme silk fabric can offer a balanced ratio of fabric weight, suppleness, and lightness.
What does the quality of a silk fabric really depend on?
The quality of a finished silk fabric cannot be described by a single number. Relevant factors include:
- Type and quality of the silk fibers used,
- Uniformity of the yarn,
- Density and uniformity of the weave,
- Dyeing and colorfastness,
- Dimensional and shape stability of the fabric,
- Surface quality, as well as
- Workmanship and sewing quality of the finished product.
Momme is therefore only one characteristic of the silk fabric and should not be understood as a general quality grade.
What does 6A mean for silk?
The designation 6A is frequently used in conjunction with mulberry silk. It is important to distinguish between raw silk, silk fabric, and the finished silk product.
6A denotes a high classification within the grading of raw silk. This classification concerns properties of the silk material or the raw silk yarn produced from it.
Therefore, 6A does not automatically mean that a finished pillowcase or duvet cover possesses the "highest quality grade" overall.
Between raw silk and the finished product lie further processing steps such as yarn production, weaving, dyeing, finishing, cutting, and sewing. Each of these steps influences the quality of the final product.
Are 6A and momme the same thing?
No. Both terms describe different things:
| Term | What is described? |
|---|---|
| Momme | Fabric weight of a silk fabric |
| 6A | Classification of raw silk |
A specification such as "22 momme 6A mulberry silk" therefore combines different pieces of information. However, it does not replace an assessment of the quality of the finished product.
What is the difference between raw silk, silk fabric, and the finished product?
When assessing quality, it is helpful to distinguish between three levels:
1. Raw silk
This concerns the starting material and the quality of the silk yarn. Classifications such as 6A refer to this level.
2. Silk fabric
After weaving, factors such as fabric weight, weave pattern, uniformity, dyeing, and surface quality play a role. Momme belongs to this level because it describes the weight of the silk fabric.
3. Finished silk product
For a pillowcase or duvet cover, additional factors come into play: cutting, seams, zipper or other closure, dimensional accuracy, and the overall workmanship.
The quality of a finished product is therefore created by the interplay of all three levels.
What does mulberry silk have to do with momme?
These terms also describe different properties. Mulberry silk refers to the origin or type of silk, whereas momme refers to the fabric weight.
A fabric can, for example, be made of mulberry silk and weigh 19 or 22 momme at the same time.
How mulberry silk differs from tussah or wild silk is explained in our guide "Mulberry silk or wild silk? Differences and usage explained".
How do you recognize high-quality silk?
A single specification like momme, 6A, or "mulberry silk" is not enough to judge the overall quality of a finished product.
When purchasing, several pieces of information should therefore be taken into account: clear material labeling, verifiable details regarding the silk type and fabric weight, and neat workmanship of the finished product.
Luster, feel, or a high price alone, however, prove neither the authenticity nor the quality of a silk fabric.
You can find further criteria in our guide "How do you recognize real silk? Features, material information, and quality".
Which momme count is suitable for silk pillowcases?
For silk pillowcases, 19 momme is a frequently used fabric weight. The fabric can remain light and supple while providing enough material for daily use.
22 or 25 momme result in heavier and denser fabrics. Whether this higher fabric weight is personally preferred is primarily a question of the desired feel and the product – not automatically a question of "better" or "worse."
You can find our various sizes and colors under Silk pillowcases made of mulberry silk.
Which momme count is suitable for silk bed linen?
For silk bed linen, too, the highest momme count is not automatically the best choice. Bed linen should not only be sufficiently dense but also pleasantly light and supple.
ORIGNEE® uses 19 momme mulberry silk for many classic silk bed linen products. The fabric weight is deliberately considered in conjunction with other quality characteristics of the material and the workmanship.
You can find our duvet covers and pillowcases under Silk bed linen made of mulberry silk.
What standards exist for silk?
Depending on the production stage, different technical standards can be relevant when assessing silk. A distinction must be made as to whether raw silk, silk fabric, or a finished textile product is being tested.
A single standard or a single classification therefore does not automatically describe all the properties of a finished silk product.
For consumers, in addition to technical test values, transparent material specifications, fabric weight, workmanship, and verifiable product information are particularly helpful.
Conclusion: Momme is important – but not the whole of quality
Momme describes the fabric weight of silk and not its overall quality. 22 or 25 momme are heavier than 19 momme, but not necessarily higher quality because of it.
The designation 6A should also not be understood as a quality grade for a complete silk product. It relates to a different stage of silk production.
Those wanting to assess silk bed linen or a silk pillowcase should therefore consider several factors together: silk type, raw material, fabric weight, weaving, dyeing, and the workmanship of the finished product.
Frequently asked questions about momme and silk quality
What does 19 momme mean for silk?
19 momme describes the weight of the silk fabric. It corresponds to approximately 82 g/m² and is frequently used for silk bed linen and silk pillowcases.
Is 22 momme better than 19 momme?
Not automatically. 22 momme initially only means that the fabric is heavier. The quality additionally depends on the silk fiber, yarn, weaving, dyeing, and workmanship.
Is 25 momme the best silk?
No. 25 momme denotes a higher fabric weight, but not a general quality grade. Depending on the product, a lighter silk fabric can be just as high-quality or more suitable.
What does 6A mulberry silk mean?
6A is a classification that refers to raw silk. It should not be confused with momme and should not be understood as the sole quality assessment of a finished pillowcase or duvet cover.
Is mulberry silk better than wild silk?
Both types of silk differ in origin, fiber structure, and typical usage. Which is more suitable depends on the respective product. Mulberry silk is frequently used for particularly smooth silk fabrics, while wild silk can also be used for certain bedding items.
