Mommes(mm) is a unit traditionally used to measure the quality of silk fabrics. One Momme = 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter.
The usual range of momme weights for different weaves of silk are:
Gauze—3 to 5 mm Organza-4 to 6 mm Habotai—12 to 16 mm
Crepe de Chine - 12 to 16 mm
Charmeuse - 12 to 30 mm
Chiffon-6 to 8 mm (can be made in double thickness, i.e. 12 to 16 mm)
Raw silk-35 to 40 mm (heavier silk appear more "wooly")
The higher the momme weight, the better?
Momme(mm)=Density
19mm=19lbs 100 yards of silk
Momme measures the density of silk. The density of the threads in the 25 momme variety of silk is also significantly higher than that of the 22 momme or 19 momme. Our 25 momme silk pillowcase boasts of a thread count of 750, while our 22 momme silk pillowcase has a thread count of 600+ and 19mm silk pillowcase has a thread count of only 400. More threads = more durable and expensive.
Yes and no. It depends. Typically, the higher the momme weight, the more durable the weave, the more luxurious the fabric is, the more suitable it is for heavy-duty use, and the longer the shelf-life. Generally, all silks can be washed, and the heavier ones can be washed repeatedly. The heavier the silk, the more opaque it becomes. This can vary even between the same kind of silk.
For example, lightweight charmeuse is translucent when used in clothing, but 30-momme Charmeuse is opaque. Therefore, it doesn't mean that you must always buy silk products with higher momme weight. For instance, it would be too heavy to wear a 25mm silk sleepwear for the night, but a 19mm silk sleepwear would be less durable. In other words, it is a question of making proper choices according to your own needs.
What is the best momme weight of silk bedding?
The higher the weight in Momme, the better the silk bedding is for bedding. Sheets between 19-25 momme are considered ideal. Silk with momme weights lower than 19 is not suitable for producing quality silk bedding linen. Beware of sellers trying to trick you into buying inferior quality sheets without declaring the momme weight. Always ask for this measurement before you purchase the silk bedding.
Here at Lilysilk, we offer three different momme weight classes. Starting from the entry-level 19 momme, Lilysilk offers intermediate 22 momme and luxury 25 momme weight classes for your choosing.
What is thread count?
Thread count or threads per inch (TPI) measures the coarseness or fineness of certain fabrics, most notably cotton. While it is not the definitive measurement of the quality of silk fabrics, it is suitable for reference when you purchase silk online. It is measured by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric or one square centimeter, including both the length (warp) and width (weft) threads. The thread count is the number of lines counted along two sides (up and across) of the square inch, added together.
What are the thread counts of LILYSILK's bedding sets?
Thread count is not as important in silk products as cotton, as silk threads can vary significantly in terms of diameter and length. However, it is still something that should be noted when purchasing silk. For silk products with the same momme weight, the one with a higher thread count is usually considered to be better. Typically, 19mm silk has a thread count of 300-350, Lilysilk's 19mm silk usually has a minimum thread-count of 400, which is already what some would refer to as "luxurious," our 22mm has a thread-count of 600 and our 25mm silk an even higher 750, which is why we insist that our products are indeed the best on the market.