10 Easy Ways to Identify Original Kanjivaram Silk Sarees in Minutes

Kanjivaram silk sarees are a delight, a pristine luxury to wear and a joy to look at. They are created of rich silk, with elaborate patterns and bright colours. The fabric of a Kanjivaram silk saree relishes legendary prestige throughout India and across the globe, owing to the finesse and skill of the weavers. Also, it is of no surprise that it’s found in the trousseau of every Indian bride.

The hallmark of Kanjeevaram silk sarees is the rich colours and zari work on the hem and pallu. The zari work is done with silver yarns dipped in gold. Each saree design is a royal-looking masterpiece made with utmost love. It is the vision and ambition of the weaver that is woven into the material. Each Kanchipuram silk saree is unique, the colours are striking, rich and luxuriant hence gaining interest of both national and international customers.

With the peak in popularity of Kanjivaram silk Sarees, there has also been an upsurge in the number of fake sarees in the market. At Mirraw, we tenaciously work with skilled craftspeople to ensure that we deliver nothing but the best. Here are some tips to help you identify an Original Kanjivaram Silk Sarees in Minutes:

How do you identify an authentic Kanjivaram silk saree?

The Silk Mark

Original Kanchipuram silk sarees come from true craftsmanship as they are handwoven by specialist weavers, and use natural mulberry silk for their complex weaving styles. While identifying an original silk Kanjeevaram saree, keep an eye out for a Silk Mark certificate from the Central Silk Board of India, and you can be confident that the saree you are buying is authentic. This label not only represents genuineness but also comes with a notable hologram and a QR code for validation. This makes it effortless to establish the authenticity of the saree with just a swift scan.

Texture, feel and touch

An original Kanjivaram silk saree is made from virgin mulberry silk, which is distinct in consistency and texture from replicas. Original silk has a genuine sheen that is entirely distinguishable. It feels cool to the touch at first and then warms up with prolonged touch, adding to its sumptuous feel. If you rub your hand on a pure Kanchipuram silk saree, you will feel the luxury in its evenly smooth fabric, the softness almost immediately followed by a particular warmth. Counterfeits, in contrast to the authentic Kanchipuram saree, are likely to have a coarse texture and have no change in temperature when rubbed. 

The Zari work

The ‘zari work’ of a Kanjeevaram silk saree is its detailed embroidered portion, made up of red threads dipped in real gold or silver. You can test the purity of the zari with a magnet; fake zari will be attracted due to the existence of a metal alloy. This zari work is the decorative weaving into the saree, and it is an essential part of the Kanchipuram silk saree. The zari used in a pure Kanchipuram saree is made of real gold or silver, and it is interwoven into the saree utilising an age-old called the korvai method.

The shimmer and lustre

The shine test is the easiest way to identify an original Kanjivaram silk saree. An authentic handloom saree will have a brilliance and shine that can never be matched by artificial silk. Since the real Kanchipuram silk saree is made with pure mulberry silk and woven with real gold zari, it shines differently and gorgeously when viewed from different angles. However, if you look at artificial silk it tends to have an excessively shiny appearance.

Burn test

Although not very feasible, you can also identify the authenticity of an original silk Kanjeevaram saree by burning a few threads from it. While effective, the burn test should be conducted with vigilance. It’s best to do this on a tiny, hidden part of the saree to avoid visible damage. Pure mulberry silk threads when burnt, smell like burnt hair and form a powdery ash. However, threads of a fake silk saree will leave a residue that is sticky and not ashy.

Weaves of an original Kanjivaram silk saree

The weave of Original Kanjeevaram silk sarees is brought to life by Korvai, a knotting and interlocking technique that interweaves the body and the pallu, which are hand-woven individually. This hand-weaving creates many intriguing, inaccurate designs and patterns. They often feature contrasting borders. The body and pallu are typically woven separately and then interlocked, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship. In contrast, power loom sarees are evenly and accurately woven. Found a blurred zig-zag or an uneven pattern in your Kanchipuram saree? — there’s your real Kanchipuram silk saree.

Smoothness of the edges

As you buy your Kanjeevaram silk saree, rub your hands on its edges. A pure silk saree will have smooth edges and will have a more finished look. Fake sarees might have frayed or ragged edges, suggesting inferior quality.

Do not forget the thread count

The higher the thread count, the more luxurious and long-lasting the saree. Authentic Kanjivaram Silk Sarees are well known for their luxurious, premium quality and high thread count, normally around 80-120 per inch. A Kanjeevaram saree with a lower thread count is most likely to be a fake.

Color Bleed Test

Try rubbing a small, wet cotton ball on your Kanjivaram saree to check if the colour bleeds. Genuine Kanchipuram silk sarees normally do not bleed colour while fake ones will.

Price Indicator

Genuine Kanjivaram silk sarees are fairly expensive due to the premium quality fabrics and craftsmanship applied. Be careful of bargains and discounts that seem too good to be true, as they might indicate counterfeit sarees.

As we dive into the values of history and authenticity, we have a stunning selection of  Kanjivaram Silk Sarees that are individually and meticulously crafted with time, skill, and talent. These sarees deserve to be passed down to future generations as heirloom treasures. 

To own a timeless drape of grace and class, have a look at our selection of glamorous Kanjivaram silk sarees.