This paper investigates the history of artificial weighting on silk fabrics and fibers through a survey of the textile literature of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The practice of adulteration began in the 18th century and continued into the 20th. The addition of various acids, mineral salts and an assortment of exotic adulterants to silk materials has resulted in a rapid destruction of the fibers and fabric. This seemingly unavoidable destruction is characterized by brittleness and loss of tensile strength. Various hypotheses are presented to explain the fiber damages resulting from the adulterants. These historical remedies for adulterant tendering are discussed.