Silk Fabric Cost: What You Really Pay for Real Silk in India

When you buy silk fabric, a natural fiber produced by silkworms, prized for its shine, drape, and luxury feel. Also known as mulberry silk, it's one of the most sought-after textiles in India and around the world. But here’s the truth: not all silk is created equal, and the price you see on a label doesn’t always tell you what you’re really getting. In India, silk isn’t just a fabric—it’s a tradition, a regional economy, and sometimes, a scam. The cost of real silk can range from ₹300 to over ₹5,000 per meter, and the difference isn’t just about quality—it’s about origin, process, and honesty.

Most silk in India comes from states like Karnataka, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, where sericulture has been practiced for centuries. Mulberry silk, the highest grade, made from Bombyx mori silkworms fed on mulberry leaves, makes up nearly 90% of India’s silk output and commands the highest price. Then there’s tussar silk, a wild silk from forest-dwelling silkworms, coarser but rich in texture and often cheaper, popular in tribal and ethnic wear. And don’t be fooled by ‘silk-like’ polyester blends—they look shiny, feel smooth, and cost a fraction, but they don’t breathe, age well, or carry the same cultural weight. Real silk takes 10,000 silkworms to make one kilogram of fiber. That labor, that time, that care—it all adds up.

What drives the cost? It’s not just the worms. It’s the hand-reeling process in rural villages, the dyeing with natural pigments, the handloom weaving that can take days for a single saree, and the middlemen who mark up prices at every stage. In Surat, India’s textile hub, you’ll find silk factories churning out mass-produced fabric for export. In Kanchipuram, a single handwoven silk saree can cost ₹1 lakh because of its zari work and generations of skill. Meanwhile, online sellers offer ‘pure silk’ for ₹499—but if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t silk at all. The silk fabric cost you pay should reflect the story behind it. Whether you’re buying for a wedding, a business, or just to own something real, knowing the difference saves you from overpaying—or being cheated.

Below, you’ll find real posts that dig into the people, places, and policies shaping India’s silk industry—from the textile factories of Surat to the government schemes that support weavers. You’ll see what’s driving prices today, who’s making what, and how to spot the real thing. No fluff. Just facts you can use.