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Is silk vegan? Are there other fabrics besides leather and wool that aren't vegan?

Silk is not vegan. It is a viscous protein substance secreted from the glands of silkworms which hardens into silk on contact with air. This soft, lustrous fiber is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. In order to retain a single, unbroken filament, the silkworm is killed before it can emerge from the cocoon and break the thread. Slaughtering silkworms for their silk is done by boiling, baking, or steaming the live worm directly in its cocoon. When the worm is in this chrysalis stage it is not dead; it is transforming. Therefore, we must believe on faith that its sentience remains intact. To assume otherwise would be unconscionable.

Selective breeding over many generations has expunged the moth's ability to fly. Certain chrysalis are kept aside to allow the moths to emerge and mate. After the female lays her eggs, she is crushed and inspected for diseases. If she appears diseased, her eggs are immediately destroyed. After mating, the males are dumped into a basket and discarded as refuse. According to research conducted by Beauty Without Cruelty, India, approximately fifteen hundred chrysalis are killed to produce one hundred grams of pure silk.

Depending on the weave, style, design, or place where it is woven, silk may be called different names in the marketplace. Some common euphemisms for certain types of woven silk are pure chiffon, pure georgette, organza, pure crepe, pure satin, and raw silk. When buying clothing (including the lining and trim), ties, handkerchiefs, handbags, hats, ribbons, curtains, upholstered furniture, embroidered items, and typewriter/printer ribbons, check the label for fabric content. Chiffon, georgette, crepe, and satin may also be made of synthetic fibers.

The skin, fleece, feathers, shells, hair, or body parts of any animal, bird, fish, or insect are not considered vegan. This includes fur, down, camel's hair, mohair, angora, tortoiseshell, snakeskin, ivory, bone, pearls, and so forth. The list of animals and their body parts used for human garments and accessories is extensive. When shopping, just use your common sense, and don't purchase something if you don't know its origin; hold off until you can investigate it further. There are many vegan alternatives for practically all of these animal-based commodities, for example faux pearls, rayon instead of silk, synthetic fiberfill instead of down, polar fleece instead of wool, and taugua nut instead of ivory.