Kanchipuram Silk Sarees Get Pricier in 2025 as Gold and Silver Costs Soar
The timeless beauty of Kanchipuram silk sarees now comes with a heavier price tag. Rising gold and silver rates have pushed production costs to record highs, making these traditional treasures more expensive than ever.
Each Kanchipuram saree — known for its intricate zari work — is woven with a blend of 0.5% gold, 40% silver, 35.5% copper, and 24% silk threads, giving it both grace and grandeur. But with gold prices crossing ₹90,000 per sovereign and silver touching ₹1.65 lakh per kilogram, the cost of weaving one saree has nearly doubled.
Once affordable between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000, even a simple silk saree now starts around ₹20,000, while those with rich zari borders and traditional motifs can soar beyond ₹2 lakh.
For the more than 30,000 weavers in Kanchipuram who depend on this centuries-old craft, the price hike is a double-edged sword — production costs have skyrocketed, but sales have slowed, especially among middle-class buyers planning for weddings and festivals.
“People still love Kanchipuram silk, but fewer can afford it now,” says a master weaver from the region. “The artistry remains the same, but the raw materials have become too costly.”
