Yep, sleeping on a bed of silk is just as appealing as it sounds. Silk makes for a luxurious fabric that's cool, breathable, gentle on skin and hair, and baby-soft to the touch.

Humans have been domesticating silkworms (baby Bombyx mori moths) for their silk for thousands of years.

When they reach the larva, or caterpillar, stage, these worms feed almost exclusively on the leaves from mulberry trees. Once full, the silkworms construct impossibly intricate cocoons out of the fine silk threads of their saliva.

Those threads are what we eventually turn into silk: Producers will place these cocoons out in the sun to kill off the larvae (silk isn't vegan!) and then begin the process of spinning their fibers into yarn.

It takes upward of 2,000 tiny silkworms to create 1 pound of silk, which is one reason the material is so expensive.

The process to turn their silk into usable yarn is also time- and energy-intensive, further ratcheting up the price.

Mulberry silk, which is made using this traditional process, is considered the highest quality silk you can buy because of its uniform color and soft feel. If you want the real deal, and are willing to pay for it, look for 100% mulberry silk.

Silk's weight and density are measured in momme (a Japanese unit of weight equal to 3.75 grams). The higher your mulberry silk's momme (mm), the thicker and more durable—and likely, more expensive—it is. Silk usually falls between 15 to 30 momme, with 19 mm being the average starting point.

If you're on a budget but still want the lush feel of silk, go for a lighter-weight option. You can also opt for a silk mix or satin instead.

Satin is a weaving technique that leads to a smooth and glossy fabric that feels similar to silk but can be made from synthetic materials like polyester and rayon.

Those who are concerned with the environmental impact of their silk sheets should look for ones that were made in an energy-efficient factory (remember, they take a lot of water, power, and resources to make) and/or dyed using natural materials instead of environmentally damaging synthetic colors.

While they require some upfront investment, with proper care, silk sheets should last you well over a decade.

Since silk is moisture-wicking, you can get away with washing them slightly less frequently than cotton sheets, but you should still tend to them every two weeks or so to prevent stains.

Most silk can be machine washed on a cold, gentle cycle and hung out to air dry, but always check with the manufacturer to be sure.