How Much Does a Handwoven Silk Saree Cost? A Price Guide for 2026

The price of a handwoven silk saree ranges from approximately ₹5,000 for a simple cotton silk to over ₹5,00,000 for a rare Patan Patola or antique Kanjivaram. This guide breaks down what drives saree pricing — silk quality, zari type, weaving complexity, and artisan time — and provides realistic price ranges for every major weave type in 2025. At The Saffron House, we price our sarees transparently, sourcing directly from weavers to avoid middleman markups.

By Meera, Founder & CEO of The Saffron House

What Determines the Price of a Handwoven Saree?

Four factors drive the cost of a handwoven silk saree:

1. Silk quality. Pure mulberry silk is the finest and most expensive. Within mulberry silk, the thickness of the thread (denier), the tightness of the twist, and the quality of the raw silk all affect price. A Kanjivaram uses thicker, more expensive silk than a Mysore silk saree, which is why Kanjivarams cost more even before zari is added.

2. Zari type and quantity. This is the single biggest price driver. Pure zari (real gold or silver on silk core) costs dramatically more than tested zari (copper alloy with gold/silver coating). A saree with heavy pure gold zari across the body, border, and pallu can cost ₹50,000+ in zari alone. Sarees with tested zari or limited zari work are more affordable.

3. Weaving complexity and time. A simple plain-body Kanjivaram might take 2–3 days to weave. A complex brocade with intricate pallu designs can take 2–4 weeks. A Patan Patola with double ikkat takes 4–6 months. The artisan's time directly correlates to price.

4. Rarity of the craft. Some weaving traditions have very few remaining practitioners. Patan Patola is woven by only a handful of families. Certain Paithani techniques are practised by a diminishing number of weavers. Scarcity drives price — these sarees appreciate over time as the crafts become rarer.

Price Guide by Saree Type (2025)

All prices are for authentic handwoven sarees. Power-loom imitations cost less but are not comparable in quality, durability, or investment value.

Saree Type	Price Range	What Drives the Price
Cotton Silk	₹5,000 – ₹20,000	Blend ratio, zari content, design complexity
Mysore Silk	₹8,000 – ₹30,000	Silk purity, border width, GI certification
Gadwal Silk	₹6,000 – ₹25,000	Cotton vs full-silk body, zari type
Tussar Silk	₹6,000 – ₹30,000	Silk quality, design technique, natural dyes
Bandhini	₹5,000 – ₹35,000	Number of tie-dye points, base fabric
Chikankari	₹8,000 – ₹50,000	Stitch density, base fabric (silk vs cotton)
Jamdani	₹10,000 – ₹60,000	Motif density, fineness of base muslin
Zari Kota	₹8,000 – ₹1,65,000	Zari proportion, tissue vs regular weave
Banarasi Silk	₹10,000 – ₹1,50,000+	Katan vs organza, zari purity, brocade complexity
Kanjivaram Silk	₹15,000 – ₹2,00,000+	Korvai vs attached border, zari purity, brocade
Paithani	₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000+	Interlocking weft complexity, weaving time
Patan Patola	₹1,00,000 – ₹5,00,000+	Double ikkat precision, months of weaving time, rarity

Why Handwoven Sarees Cost More Than Power-Loom

A power-loom can produce a "silk saree" in hours. A handwoven saree takes days, weeks, or months — and involves a skilled artisan's full attention throughout. The silk is often thicker and higher quality (power-looms use thinner threads to speed production), the zari is genuine rather than polyester imitation, and the weave has a depth and character that machines simply cannot replicate.

When you buy a handwoven saree, you are not just buying fabric — you are supporting a living craft tradition, paying for an artisan's skill developed over years of training, and acquiring a piece that will last decades (often generations) with proper care. Many of our customers' mothers and grandmothers still wear Kanjivarams purchased 30–40 years ago.

Shopping by Budget at The Saffron House

We organise our collections by price range so you can browse within your budget:

Under ₹20,000 — Cotton silks, Mysore silks, simpler Kanjivarams and Banarasis. Great for building an everyday saree wardrobe.

₹20,000 – ₹30,000 — Mid-range Kanjivarams, Korvai and Kora variants, Banarasi Katan and Georgette. The sweet spot for quality and value.

₹30,000 – ₹40,000 — Brocade Kanjivarams, Tissue variants, richer Banarasis. Ideal for weddings and special occasions.

₹40,000 – ₹50,000 — Premium Kanjivarams and Banarasis with elaborate zari work. Statement pieces.

Above ₹50,000 — Bridal Kanjivarams, heavy brocades, Paithanis, Patolas, and Collector's Edit pieces. Heirloom and investment sarees.