<P> One example of the durable nature of silk over other fabrics is demonstrated by the recovery in 1840 of silk garments from a wreck of 1782:' The most durable article found has been silk; for besides pieces of cloaks and lace, a pair of black satin breeches, and a large satin waistcoat with flaps, were got up, of which the silk was perfect, but the lining entirely gone...from the thread giving way...No articles of dress of woollen cloth have yet been found .' </P> <P> Silk is a poor conductor of electricity and thus susceptible to static cling . </P> <P> Unwashed silk chiffon may shrink up to 8% due to a relaxation of the fiber macrostructure, so silk should either be washed prior to garment construction, or dry cleaned . Dry cleaning may still shrink the chiffon up to 4% . Occasionally, this shrinkage can be reversed by a gentle steaming with a press cloth . There is almost no gradual shrinkage nor shrinkage due to molecular - level deformation . </P> <P> Natural and synthetic silk is known to manifest piezoelectric properties in proteins, probably due to its molecular structure . </P>

Where does the most expensive silk come from