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If you’re considering investing in a silk duvet, you’ve probably noticed a wide range of prices. From “good value” options to luxury splurges, what drives those differences? At Silkweb, we believe in transparency, so here’s a clear breakdown of factors that affect cost — and when spending more can be worth it.
The single biggest factor in cost is what the duvet is filled with, and how that silk is processed.
| Feature | Mulberry Silk | Tussah Silk (Wild Silk) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin / Rearing | Silkworms (Bombyx mori) reared in controlled farms, fed only mulberry leaves. This yields longer, more uniform fibres. | Wild (or semi-wild) silkworms feeding on oak or other trees. More variation in fibre. |
| Fibre Length, Fineness & Texture | Long, fine, smooth fibres. Very soft, often with a glossy, light colour. | Shorter, coarser fibres; more irregular texture; often natural golden-brown/yellowish unless bleached. Less glossy. |
| Durability & Feel | More durable in terms of maintaining softness, less pilling, more “luxury” skin feel. Needs more delicate care. | More rugged, possibly better in some environmental conditions; though not as soft, still breathable and useful. May feel more textured; often lower cost. |
Because of those differences, a duvet filled with high-grade long-fibre mulberry silk will cost more than one filled with tussah silk (or silk waste / short fibres).
Even with the same silk filling, the material of the cover can meaningfully affect price, performance, and upkeep. On Silkweb we offer two main options:
Cotton-cased silk duvet – silk filling, cotton outer shell.
Silk-cased silk duvet – both filling and shell are silk.
Here are the trade-offs:
| Factor | Cotton Case | Silk Case |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower: cotton (even good quality) is cheaper per square metre than silk casing. Less delicate manufacturing. | Higher: silk fabric is considerably more expensive. Also more exacting work needed. |
| Feel & Luxury | Cotton is soft (especially high thread-count cotton), breathable. But doesn’t have the same drape, gloss, or “cool-to-touch” feel as silk. | Silk case enhances that luxury feel: smoother surface, better drape, cooler to the skin. More sheen, more elegance. |
| Maintenance | Easier to clean, more durable. Cotton holds up better to handling and more frequent washing (if washing is possible). | Requires more delicate care. Silk casing is more likely to need dry cleaning or spot cleaning. Susceptible to damage if treated roughly. |
| Hypoallergenic / Breathability | Your silk filling will still provide natural hypoallergenic, moisture-regulating benefits. Cotton case is breathable though more absorbent. | Silk case adds to the hypoallergenic profile: fewer fibres irritating skin, more moisture wicking, less likelihood of trapping moisture. |
Beyond silk type and casing, other technical features influence cost:
Fill weight (tog / grams per square metre): Heavier weight = more silk inside = higher cost. If you want an all-season or winter duvet, you’ll need more layers / more silk, raising price.
Number of layers & how they’re arranged: Some silk duvets are made by layering silk floss, stretching by hand, letting air pockets form. That gives loft, warmth, and breathability. Machine-filled / chopped short-fibre silk tends to be cheaper but less lofty.
Stitching and construction: Quilting, stitching, overall finish affect cost. More labour per duvet = higher price. Also quality of stitch, including “inspection zips” for checking filling, etc.
Case fabric weight / “momme” or quality metrics: For silk casings especially, the momme (a measure of silk weight/thickness) matters. Cases below a certain momme can be less durable. Likewise, thread count and weave in cotton cases (sateen, percale) affect feel and cost.
Ethical sourcing: Mulberry silk farms, animal welfare, labour standards etc. Costs are higher if silk is fairly sourced, eco-friendly, low pesticide etc.
Certifications: OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, etc. These involve cost but give assurances which many customers value.
Handwork / Craftsmanship: Hand extraction of silk, hand sewing, custom finishes — all add to cost.
Packaging, import, shipping: Silk is delicate and often imported; transport, tariffs, quality control add to final consumer price.
To bring together the silk types and cost implications:
Mulberry silk tends to cost more due to length of fibres, smoother texture, purity of colour, and more refined production.
Tussah silk, being wild, less uniform, often needing additional processing (bleaching, spinning shorter fibres), is typically cheaper. However, the trade-offs are in texture, colour, and sometimes durability.
For many buyers, tussah offers “good enough” silk benefits at a lower price; for others seeking maximum softness, long life, and that top-tier silk feel, mulberry is worth the premium.
To help you decide, here are two of our offerings that balance the factors above. (Prices are illustrative; actual pricing may vary.)
Cotton Cased Silk Duvet — silk filling (long fibre mulberry silk), cotton shell. Lower cost option; easier care; still breathable and hypoallergenic due to the silk filling.
Silk Cased Silk Duvet — both shell and filling silk; more luxurious feel, lighter “touch”, better moisture wicking / cool touch; higher price; more delicate to maintain.
Here are some guidelines if you’re wondering whether to opt for the “higher end”:
| If you value … | Go for higher cost / silk case / mulberry / heavier fill |
|---|---|
| Softness & next-to-skin luxury | Silk case + high momme mulberry, long fibre |
| Cool sleep in warm climate or hot sleeper | Silk case + breathable construction + lighter but well made fill |
| Hypoallergenic properties & skin sensitivity | Mulberry silk + good casing + certifications |
| Durability & ease of care | Cotton case + slightly heavier silk that’s treated properly + good stitching |
Conversely, if you mostly care about getting good thermal regulation, decent softness, and don’t mind something more rugged, a cotton-cased duvet with tussah or mid-grade mulberry silk may give most of the benefit at lower cost.
Silk duvets are an investment. The more you understand what goes into them (type of silk, casing, fill weight, construction, ethics), the more informed a choice you can make. What matters most is your personal preferences: how you like to sleep, how much maintenance you’re prepared for, and whether you want the absolute top luxury or a strong value.
At Silkweb, whether you choose our cotton cased mulberry silk filled duvet or go for the ultra-luxury of our silk cased silk duvet, you’ll be getting quality materials, thoughtful craftsmanship, and the natural benefits of silk. We hope this guide helps you make the right choice for your sleep.
