Silk is an extremely fine, continuous animal fibre. It is primarily extracted from the cocoon of the silkworm in China, Japan and India, and, with a fibre density of 12 to 25 micrometres, has a fineness that is similar to viscose (in comparison: human hair has a diameter of approx. 70 micrometres). Silk is available in a variety of qualities: from rougher noil silk, which is similar to linen, through to smoother schappe silk and the exclusive mulberry silk. However, silk is always soft to the touch, has a changing, shimmering shine, and is temperature-regulating, tear-resistant and non-crease. The most well-known silk fabrics are the jacquard silk with its woven rather than printed designs, and the smooth silk-satin with its precious, brilliant shine.