Ayurvastram Indian Silks: Types

India, being the world's second largest producer and supplier of silk has an old, almost traditional, silk industry with its history going way way back in time. Being the "Queen of Textiles", silk has always been an exquisite piece of clothing, that once it has been a tool to mark social classes, being affordable only for the upper classes, worn as a royalty symbol during functions and festivals in the Indian society.

Silk has four different types, as according to what the silkworm feeds on. These four types are mulberry, tassar, eri, and muga.

Mulberry

This type is the most widely produced so it comprises most of the silk out in the market today. The name came from the plant which the Bombyx mori silkworms that produce this type of silk solely feed on. Bombyx mori silkworms are grown indoors and are highly domesticated.

Tassar

Tassar silk is produced by Antheraea mylitta silkworms that feed on Asan and Arjun food plants. These silks are usually used for interiors and furnishings rather than clothes as they are also less shiny than the mulberry silk. Also, unlike mulberry, the silkworms are reared outdoors, mainly on trees.

A finer variety of tassar silk is now being produced by Antheraea proyeli silkworms that feed on oak trees, giving the name to the silks as oak tassar.

Eri

Known also as Errandi or Endi, this type of silk is spun from open-ended cocoons, making it unique from the other types. It is produced by another domesticated silkworm, the Philosamia ricini, which mainly eats castor leaves. However, eri silks are mainly more personal uses of the tribes that produced it.

Muga

Muga silks are naturally golden yellow in color. They are produced by Antheraea assamensis silkworms, which are semi-domesticated that eat Som and Soalu plants' leaves. Also, these silks are highly valuable as they are an important part of the Assam state's traditions and culture.

Ayurvastram, being a line for women’s high fashion accessories, it is no surprise that it uses quality and indigenous silks in making the scarves available in the website. These silk scarves are available in 38 different styles and designs you can choose from like plain long, printed, solid color wraps, designer, embroidered silk sheer, long printed, and pure silk.

Also, Ayurvastram products are made from 100 percent Indian silks which are eco-friendly and helpful to the continuously blooming silk industry of the country.