Eri vs. Mulberry Silk: Key Differences, Costs, and Qualities

I’ve been fascinated with silk for as long as I can remember. The luxurious feel, the vibrant colors and patterns – silk has always seemed magical to me.

As I’ve learned more about different types of silk fabrics over the years, I’ve come to especially appreciate two varieties – Eri and Mulberry.

These silks have unique production methods, quality characteristics, costs, and end uses.

If you’re looking to add some silk into your life, whether for fashion, home décor, or other purposes, it’s helpful to understand the key distinctions between Eri and Mulberry silk.

Join me as I explore and compare these two incredible fabrics.

Origins and Production Processes

Understanding Eri Silk and Mulberry Silk Production

Eri silk fabric comes from the domesticated Eri silkworm, while Mulberry silk is produced by the cultivated Bombyx mori silkworm which feeds exclusively on the leaves of Mulberry trees.

Let’s look closer at how each type of silk is made:

Eri Silk Production

Eri silkworms feed on castor plants and can be reared outdoors without much human interference.
The cultivation of Eri silkworms provides income for tribal families in India.
Eri cocoons are open-mouthed and the worms can escape, so the silk has to be reeled from the cocoon before the moth emerges.
It takes about 3-4 days to harvest Eri silk once the cocoons start forming.
For example, the Garo tribal community in India produces golden yellow Eri silk that is valued for its organic and ethical production.

I found out which state is the leading producer of eri silk, and it was enlightening.

Mulberry Silk Production

Mulberry silkworms are sensitive to environmental factors so they are reared indoors under strictly controlled conditions.
The silkworms are fed fresh Mulberry leaves harvested multiple times per day.
Mulberry cocoons are made of a continuous silk filament that is soft and lustrous.
The cocoons are boiled or exposed to steam before the silk is unreeled.
Sericulture farms in China and India are major Mulberry silk producers known for consistent quality and refinements in cultivation techniques.

The key difference in Eri and Mulberry silk cultivation and harvesting is that Eri production involves less human intervention and industrialization.

As such, Eri silk reflects traditional handmade craftsmanship.

Distinct Characteristics of Eri Silk

Now that we know how they’re made, let’s explore Eri and Mulberry silk qualities.

Texture and Appearance

Eri silk has a thicker, crisper texture than Mulberry silk.
It has a lovely natural gold tint with occasional sparkles from mineral traces.
Eri fabric is not as uniformly smooth as refined Mulberry silk. It has more slubs and irregularities that add antique character.

Durability and Strength

As a wildcrafted fabric, Eri silk is extremely durable and wrinkle-resistant.
It is stronger than Mulberry silk and does not tear or disintegrate easily.
Eri silk maintains strength and sheen even after repeated washing.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

With minimal human interference, Eri silk production has a low environmental impact.
It provides sustainable livelihood for indigenous silkworm rearers.
Eri silk represents an ethical, cruelty-free textile due to traditional open-mouthed harvesting techniques.

Distinct Characteristics of Mulberry Silk

Now let’s explore what sets Mulberry silk apart:

Texture and Appearance

Mulberry silk has a refined, smooth, and luxurious texture.
It has a pure white color and an elegant, subtle luster.
High quality Mulberry silk is consistent in thickness without slubs.

Durability and Strength

Mulberry silk is not as strong as Eri silk, but still reasonably durable.
It becomes weaker when wet so care must be taken when washing.
Over time, Mulberry silk may lose some sheen and be more prone to snags or tears.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Intensive farming of Mulberry silkworms has associated environmental impacts.
Some Mulberry silk production uses chemical pesticides on plants.
Most Mulberry silk relies on industrialized harvesting processes without cruelty-free oversight.

This comparison shows that Eri and Mulberry silk have quite different natural properties based on their production methods.

Cost Comparison

Another major difference between Eri and Mulberry silk is the cost.

Why Eri Silk is More Expensive

There are a few reasons why Eri silk commands a higher price:

Limited Supply – There are far fewer Eri silk producers than Mulberry silk farms.
Intensive Labor – Each step in handmade Eri production requires skilled artisans.
Low Yields – 10-25 Eri cocoons are required to make one sari compared to over 3,000 Mulberry cocoons.
Ethical Production – Fair wages and profits are allocated across Eri silk production chains.
Premium Natural Materials – Unadulterated golden Eri silk is valued for its wild, untouched origins.

For example, a high quality Eri silk sari from Assam, India can cost $800−2,500 while a fine Mulberry silk sari is priced between $500−1,000.

Cost Factors of Mulberry Silk

Mulberry silk is also viewed as a luxury material, though large-scale production makes it more affordable than Eri silk. Pricing considerations include:

Economies of Scale – High volume automated methods reduce production costs.
Government Subsidies – Some major silk producing countries subsidize Mulberry farming.
Variations in Grade – Mulberry silk price depends on factors like thread count and dyeing.
Consumer Demand – The high demand for refined Mulberry silk lets it command premium prices.

When comparing exact costs, the wild-harvested artisanal nature of Eri silk makes it about 1.5 to 2 times more expensive than cultivated Mulberry silk.

Applications and Uses

Eri and Mulberry silk are used in a diverse array of products, though they each tend to dominate certain industries.

Common Uses of Eri Silk

Saris
Scarves
Quilts
Shawls
Home Furnishings

For example, the Mishing tribe in India creates exclusive Eri silk shawls and mamdani chadors featuring vibrant embroidery.

Common Uses of Mulberry Silk

Evening Gowns
Lingerie
Ties
Dress Shirts
Bedding

Mulberry silk dominates the high fashion industry. Designers like Christian Dior use the luxurious fabric for haute couture gowns and dresses.

The exceptional sheen and drape make Mulberry silk well-suited for flowing garments.

Now that we’ve covered the diverse uses for Eri and Mulberry silk fabrics, let’s summarize the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Pros and Cons

Advantages and Disadvantages of Eri Silk

Pros

Sustainable and ethical production
Naturally golden color
Extremely durable and wrinkle-resistant
Environmentally friendly
Supports indigenous communities

Cons

Limited supply
More expensive
Irregular texture with slubs
Handwash or dry clean only
Challenging to dye

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mulberry Silk

Pros

Smooth, refined texture
Vibrant dye absorption
Drapes and shimmers beautifully
Hypoallergenic
Easy care
Widely available

Cons

Intensive farming methods
Chemical processing damages fibers
Relatively delicate and high maintenance
Bleaching produces waste
Boiling silkworms considered unethical

As shown above, both Eri and Mulberry silk have unique merits along with some drawbacks depending on your priorities.

Making the Right Choice

With such distinct production methods, qualities, costs, and applications – how do you decide between Eri and Mulberry silk? Here are a few key factors to consider:

Your Budget – If you have room in your budget, Eri silk offers an incredible combination of ethics, luxury, and investment value. If affordability is more important, Mulberry silk still has incredible beauty and versatility.
Garment Use – For special occasion apparel where texture and drape matter most, Mulberry silk is the best choice. For everyday wardrobe pieces needing more resilience, Eri silk is ideal.
Home Décor Purpose – If you want silk bedding or upholstery that will stand the test of time, durable Eri silk is preferable. For window treatments and lighter furnishing fabrics, standard Mulberry silk suffices.
Personal Values – If environmental impact and ethical production are priorities for you, unique Eri silk aligns with those principles. If you mainly care about product performance, cultivated Mulberry silk has sufficient strengths.
Gift Giving – As a one-of-a-kind ethical textile, golden Eri silk makes for a meaningful gift. For a traditional luxurious present, refined Mulberry silk never disappoints.

Analyze your specific needs and ideals to decide if the wild beauty of Eri silk or the cultivated luxury of Mulberry silk is better for you.

In some cases, there’s also an option to incorporate both into your home and closet!

I learned how eri silk compares to tussar silk and the differences were quite significant.

Conclusions

After learning extensively about Eri and Mulberry silk varieties, I’m simply in awe of both.

While the production stories and qualities vary widely, they result in fabrics of outstanding beauty and functionality.

Eri silk connects us to ancient indigenous craftsmanship for a truly magical garment. Mulberry silk exemplifies how even intensive farming can yield glorious and lasting luxury.

With some guidance on the distinctions, you can choose the right silk type to enhance your life.

I hope this guide gives you confidence to add more silk into your routines. Whether through the wildness of Eri or the refinement of Mulberry, let silk bring you a little everyday wonder.

Our world needs more conscientious enjoyment of nature’s gifts.