Day 02 of 21
Craft of Cloth · Silk family · At the fibre level
The Four Indian Silks, Examined
Day 2 of 21. Silk is one word for four very different fibres. Mulberry is the smooth, classical silk you know.
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Today's Lesson Begins
Why four silks, all from one country, behave like four different fibres
🪞
AT THE FIBRE LEVEL
Day 2 · Silk family
The Four Indian Silks, Examined
Mulberry to Eri. Sheen, weight, weave.
The Idea
Silk is one word for four very different fibres.
India is the only country in the world that produces all four classical silk varieties — Mulberry, Tussar, Muga, and Eri. Each comes from a different silkworm, feeding on a different leaf, spinning a different cocoon. The single thing that decides how the silk drapes, shines, and ages: which worm spun it.
Mulberry is the smooth, classical silk you know. Tussar is rough and golden. Muga has a natural gold shimmer that outlasts the saree. Eri is woven without killing the worm — that's why it's called peace silk.
The depth ladder
Four silks, ranked by sheen and softness
From peaceful Eri at the gentle end to Muga's golden longevity at the top, each silk has a different personality.
Sheen level (relative)
Woven without killing the worm
Calm
Coarser hand · golden-beige cast
Earthy
Smooth, even, the silk we all know
Classic
Natural gold shimmer · gets shinier with wash
Heirloom
India produces all four · Muga is found only in Assam
Side by side
What each silk feels like
Same word — silk — four different cloths. Your customer can tell the difference once you give her the words.
🍃
Matte
Mark
Eri
Assam, Meghalaya · peace silk
Soft
🌾
Honey
Mark
Tussar
Jharkhand, Bihar · wild silk
Earthy
✨
Bright
Mark
Mulberry
Karnataka, Bengal · classical
Classical
👑
Golden
Mark
Muga
Assam only · GI-tagged silk
Heirloom
In a customer DM
How to explain it
When she asks "isn't all silk the same?"
Don't say "this one is better." Name the worm, name the leaf, name the cocoon — and let the price explain itself.
"This is Muga silk, ma'am — only made in Assam. The worm feeds on a wild tree, and the silk has a natural gold tone. Most sarees fade with washing. Muga gets brighter. That's why it costs what it does."
Today's anchor: All silk is not the same silk. Mulberry is the smooth classical one. Tussar is the rough honey-coloured wild silk. Muga is Assam's natural gold. Eri is peace silk — woven without killing the worm. Different worms, different stories, different prices.
Day 2 Quiz · 3 Questions
Answer to mark your attendance
Get all three right and you stay in the running for the top-3 craft gift.
Question 1
Which silk is naturally gold-coloured and gets shinier with every wash?
A
Mulberry
B
Tussar
C
Muga
D
Eri
Question 2
Why is Eri called "peace silk"?
A
It is dyed only with vegetable dye
B
The silkworm is allowed to leave the cocoon — it isn't killed
C
It is the cheapest silk in India
D
It is woven only by women weavers
Question 3
A customer asks why your Muga saree is twice the price of your Mulberry one. The honest reply:
A
"Muga is rare — it's made only in Assam, the worm feeds on a wild tree, and the gold shine stays for decades."
B
"Mulberry is for daily wear, Muga is for special occasions."
C
"It's imported silk, ma'am."
D
"All natural silks cost more."
WhatsApp Number
+91
Same number you used on Day 1 — your ranking and Craft Depth certificate go here.
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