How to Buy a Genuine Silk Saree Online — The Complete Expert Guide

Buying a silk saree online should feel joyful, not confusing.

But today, buyers are flooded with ads claiming:

  • “Pure silk saree ₹3,999”
  • “Kanchipuram silk ₹4,999”
  • “Premium silk festival sale”

At the same time, authentic stores sell silk sarees for ₹15,000, ₹30,000, even ₹1 lakh.

So what is the truth?

This guide will help you understand:

  • What real silk actually is
  • Why genuine silk cannot be cheap
  • How to identify original silk
  • How to avoid fake “silk-look” sarees
  • How to buy silk with confidence

At Sampradaya Designer Studio, we believe every buyer deserves clarity before they spend their hard-earned money.

Genuine pure silk saree with rich zari and traditional weaving

1. What “Pure Silk” Really Means

Many sarees sold online are called “silk”, but they are not pure silk.

They are often:

  • Art silk (polyester)
  • Viscose silk
  • Synthetic blends
  • Powerloom-woven fabrics (which may use either pure silk or artificial silk)

These look shiny, but they are not real silk.

Pure silk comes from natural mulberry silkworms. It has:

  • A soft, breathable feel
  • Natural warmth in winter and coolness in summer
  • Gentle creases that fall back smoothly
  • A rich, organic shine (not plastic shine)

If a saree feels slippery like plastic, does not crease softly, or feels cold and stiff — it is not pure silk.

2. Why Pure Silk Sarees Can Never Cost ₹3,000–₹5,000

This is the most important truth every buyer must know.

Silk yarn: Pure mulberry silk yarn itself is expensive. Even before weaving starts, the raw material costs thousands of rupees.

Zari: Real zari is made from silver. Fake zari uses plastic or copper. Real zari alone can cost more than ₹5,000 in one saree.

Handloom weaving: A true handloom saree takes 7–15 days of skilled artisan work.

Design & finishing: Borders, pallus, dyeing, quality checks all add cost.

That is why a genuine silk saree can never be ₹3,000 or ₹5,000.

Comparison between pure silk and artificial silk saree fabric

3. Handloom vs Powerloom — Why It Matters

Handloom silk sarees are woven by artisans, are breathable, and age beautifully.

Powerloom sarees are machine-made, stiffer, and have a shorter life.

Handloom weaving of pure silk saree by Indian artisan

4. Silk Mark Certification — Your Safety Net

Silk Mark is India’s official certification for pure silk. A certified saree has a Silk Mark label and traceable code.

Silk Mark certification label on a pure silk saree

5. How to Identify Real Silk at Home

  • Touch test: Real silk feels warm and soft
  • Crease test: Real silk creases and recovers
  • Light test: Real silk has a gentle glow
  • Sound test: Rubbing makes a soft crunch

6. Zari — The Hidden Truth

Fake zari peels, rusts and turns black. Real zari lasts decades.

Close-up of real zari border on a pure silk saree

7. Why Pure Silk Becomes an Heirloom

Cheap silk dies. Real silk lives and gets passed from mothers to daughters.

8. How to Care for Silk After You Buy

  • Store in cotton or muslin
  • Never store in plastic
  • Refold every few months
  • Keep away from moisture
  • Dry clean only when needed
Proper storage of pure silk sarees in breathable cotton cloth

9. A Simple Buyer’s Checklist

  • ✔ Is it Silk Mark certified?
  • ✔ Is it handloom?
  • ✔ Is the zari real?
  • ✔ Is the price realistic?
  • ✔ Is care guidance given?

A Calm Way to Buy Silk: When you understand silk, no one can mislead you. This knowledge stays with you for life.

 

🇮🇳 Are you an NRI shopping from abroad?

If you are in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore or anywhere outside India and want to buy authentic silk sarees with video call shopping, stitching and international delivery —

👉 Start your NRI Saree Experience here

Back to blog