Beyond Luxury: The 5A Grade Silk Behind Our Artisan Silk Accessories
Folk FormQuick answer: 5A is the second-highest grade of raw silk thread under the GB/T 1797-2008 standard. It describes how even, clean and consistent the thread is, not the finished scarf, print or hem. We start Folk Form scarves from 5A mulberry silk, as specified by our supplier, then print and finish them by hand.
What does 5A grade silk actually mean?
It is a grade for raw silk thread, and it sits second from the top of the GB/T 1797-2008 raw silk standard. The grade looks at how even, clean and consistent in thickness the thread is. It says nothing about the finished scarf, the print or the hem.
That distinction matters, because "5A" is often printed on labels as if it described the whole product. For us, it is a supplier specification: it tells you where the thread started, not how the piece was finished. The finishing you judge on the cloth itself.
How can you tell good silk from shiny silk?
Check four things you can see and feel in a shop or at home.
- Luster. Good silk glows softly and shifts with the light. A hard, flat shine usually means polyester.
- Drape. Hold a corner and let it fall. Silk hangs in a heavy, fluid line. Stiff cloth stands out from your hand.
- Print. Turn it over. On a hand-printed scarf the color should go through to the back almost as strongly as the front.
- Weight. Momme is silk's weight unit. Ours is 16 momme, about 69 g/m2, heavy enough to hold a knot. What Is Momme Silk? explains it.
For a longer checklist, see What Makes a Luxury Silk Scarf.
What do the dragon motifs carry?
Our dragon comes from the Ly Dynasty (1009 to 1225) and the carved stone of the Thang Long citadel in Hanoi. It is drawn with a soft body and no scales, as a wish for strength, wisdom and a good year. The meaning is explained in What the Ly Dynasty Dragon Means, and printing is covered in Hand Screen-Printed vs Digital.
If you would rather test these four points on a piece you can hold, begin with the 26 inch silk scarves, the size most people reach for first, or with a jacquard silk necktie when the gift is for him. Our scarves are 16 momme mulberry silk, hand screen-printed in Hanoi and rolled at the hem by hand, so luster, drape and print can all be judged on the cloth itself. (Either one is 5% off with BLOG5 in the discount field.)
Which piece should you test it on?
If you are unsure, choose the 26 in (65 cm) scarf at $97, the size most people reach for first. For a man, a jacquard silk necktie starts at $142. Browse the 26 inch scarves, the silk neckties and silk gifts for him, or the full scarf collection. A silk piece also fits the 12th anniversary, when silk is the traditional gift.
How do you care for natural silk?
Dry cleaning is safest. By hand, use cool water and a little mild shampoo, never wring, and dry in the shade. Iron the reverse on low heat while damp. How to Wash a Silk Scarf by Hand has the steps. To learn who makes it, see about Folk Form, and find more in all our guides.
The 5A Grade Silk Behind Our Artisan Accessories: what people ask
What does 5A grade silk actually mean?
5A is a grade of raw silk thread, second from the top in the GB/T 1797-2008 standard. It reflects how even and clean the thread is and how consistent its thickness is, and it is a supplier specification, not a lab result.
Does 5A silk describe the finished scarf or tie?
No. The grade describes the thread only, not the print or the hem. That is why we describe the 16 momme weight, the hand printing and the hand-rolled edges separately.
How can I tell good silk from the merely shiny kind?
Check luster, drape, print and weight. Good silk has a soft glow that shifts with the light, hangs in a heavy fluid line, and shows the print on the reverse side almost as strongly as the front.
How should I care for a silk scarf or tie?
Dry clean ties. For a scarf, dry cleaning is safest; by hand use cool water and a little mild shampoo, never wring, and dry in the shade. Iron the reverse on low heat while damp.
