Griffin silk is pure silk thread from the middle of the cocoon so that it is cleaner, stronger and more even in thread size than from the outer or inner layers. The silk is made up into 2m lengths and a special wire needle is woven into the doubled-over twist. This means that the needle will pass much more smoothly through the fine hole which is drilled in a real pearl. Real silk cannot be surpassed for stringing of beads. The 'hang' is unmistakable and so much better than if any other thread is used, and the knots go tighter and therefore look much less obtrusive. Size 3 is 0.50mm. It is a good compromise between fineness (ease of threading back through the end pearls when using the bouillon method) and strength.