1. Fiber Content: Luxury bedding is generally produced using natural fibers such as cotton, linen or silk. Their irregularities and subtleties contribute to the natural beauty of fine bedding. The primary advantage of absorbency and porosity, makes natural fiber luxury bedding responsive to changes in temperature and humidity, thus ensuring maximum sleep comfort.

2. Cotton Quality: The quality of cotton used in luxury bedding ranges from long to extra-long staple (up to 17"), which affects the product's appearance, durability and price. The finest European luxury bedding is woven of extra-long staple, combed Egyptian cotton.

Cotton is an ancient fiber which dates back to about 2300 BCE in Peru. At the beginning of the 18th century, the former Southern Confederate states developed cotton growing. By the 19th century cotton was introduced in Egypt where the climate and soil conditions allowed for the longer fiber.

Linen Quality: Linen (flax) yarn is measured from the count (like cotton). After gathering the flax stalks, the plant undergoes a series of processings which separate the long staple fibers (from 60-90 cm) from the short ones. For an example of luxury linens produced from long-staple flax fibers, please see "Corinto" by Jesurum.

3.Thread Count & Yarn Count: Thread count is probably the most advertised attribute for fine bedding. It is not, however, the true indicator of quality. Thread count is simply the number of yarns in a square inch of fabric.

Knowing the quality of the fibers is more important than just the thread count. The best cottons are extra-long staple (ELS) Egyptian and Pima. Yarn count is a value that indicates thickness of the thread - the higher the number, the thinner the yarn, which results in a smoother "hand".

The finishing process is complex and indispensable as is improves the value of the raw materials.

The true quality of luxury bedding is determined by the raw material (i.e. cotton, linen or silk), the weaving and finishing process, and precision of the sewing.

4.Type of Weave: The type of weave used in fine bedding plays an integral part in the durability and quality of the finished product. Fabric weave is produced by the interlacing of yarns. The basic fabric weaves used in luxury bedding are plain and sateen.

In a plain weave each yarn alternately crosses over and under another, to produce a strong, even fabric. Example of an embroidered percale is Addis by Sahelia.

A sateen weave is used to produce smooth, lustrous, high thread count bedding with a thick, close texture. In this weave one yarn passes over four to eight alternate yarns in a staggered pattern. The number of yarns exposed on the surface of the fabric gives sateen it's characteristic sheen.

Examples of sateen are Luxury Nights by Christian Fischbacher and Anita Fine Bedding by Timas.