Pima vs Egyptian Cotton?

Question:What is the difference in softness between Pima and Egyptian cotton? I have very expensive cotton sheets and they seem to be very rough. I know where the cotton comes from, but what is the difference? Thanks.

Answers:
Please tell me you didn't go out and buy 600 threads per inch sheets! Sometimes this makes the fabric thicker, heavier and coarser.not to mention more expensive. I sent a set back from overstocks.com that my husband ordered online for that reason.

Both 100% Pima and Egyptian cotton are soft, and get softer with each wash...but there are many quality differences depending on the sheet manufacturer's specifications and processing of the long cotton fibers. (If blended with polyester the sheets will pill). The exact difference is explained by the origin in the web site below.

The best sheets I have found are from JC Penney's. They are cost effective on sale, extremely durable and get softer with each wash.

250 Thread Count
100% Egyptian cotton
"simply elegant"
pillowcase sku is 0 28828 04951-3