The UNYA Silk Journal
The Silk Momme Guide
Everything worth knowing about momme — the measure that separates fine silk from the rest, and why every UNYA piece is 22 momme mulberry silk.
What does momme mean?
Momme (pronounced “moe-me”, abbreviated mm) is the traditional unit used to weigh silk. It measures how many pounds a piece of silk fabric 45 inches wide and 100 yards long weighs — so a 22 momme silk simply carries more silk thread in every inch than a 16 momme one. Where cotton is judged by thread count, real silk is judged by momme.
Reading the momme scale
Most silk sold for sleep sits between 16 and 25 momme. Below 19, the fabric is lighter and more delicate — lovely to touch, but thinner and less durable with nightly use. From 19 to 25, silk gains body: it drapes more heavily, resists friction better and lasts for years of regular washing. Above 25, silk becomes dense and considerably more expensive, with little added comfort for sleep essentials.
Why UNYA uses 22 momme
22 momme is the point where softness and strength meet. It is dense enough to feel substantial against the skin, to hold its lustre wash after wash, and to withstand nightly friction from hair and skin — yet still light, cool and breathable. That is why every UNYA sleep mask, pillowcase and scrunchie is cut from 22 momme mulberry silk, OEKO-TEX certified.
Momme is not thread count
Thread count tells you how many threads are woven into a square inch of cotton; it says nothing useful about silk. A silk product advertised only by thread count — or with no momme weight at all — is often a sign of satin (a weave, usually polyester) rather than real mulberry silk. If a label does not say momme, ask.
How to recognise quality silk
Look for three things together: the fibre (100% mulberry silk, the longest and most uniform silk fibre), the weight (ideally 19–25 momme, clearly stated), and independent certification such as OEKO-TEX, which verifies the fabric has been tested against harmful substances. UNYA silk carries all three.
Momme, answered
For pillowcases, sleep masks and scrunchies, 19 to 25 momme is the quality range — 22 momme is widely considered the ideal balance of softness, durability and breathability. All UNYA pieces are 22 momme.
Not for sleep. Above 25 momme, silk becomes heavier and much more expensive without feeling better against skin or hair — the extra density suits upholstery more than beauty sleep.
Silk is a natural fibre; satin is a weave, most often made of polyester. Satin can look similar but does not offer silk's breathability, temperature regulation or gentleness on hair and skin. Real silk is measured in momme — satin is not.
100% mulberry silk in a 22 momme weight, OEKO-TEX certified — across every sleep mask, pillowcase and scrunchie.