Good news: once you know what to look for, it’s not that hard to identify a genuine Kanchipuram silk saree. Here’s how you can become a confident buyer and make sure that what you spend is totally worth it.

The first thing you’ll notice with pure Kanchipuram silk is the texture. It feels rich, smooth, and slightly heavy. That weight comes from the quality of silk threads used—and from the zari (more on that in a second).

Semi silk sarees may feel rough, too light, or overly shiny (like plastic). Real silk has a natural sheen that’s elegant, not blinding and looks subtle.