How to Spot Authentic Kashmiri Aari Embroidery vs Fake

Walk into any online marketplace today and you will find hundreds of listings claiming to sell authentic Kashmiri aari embroidery. The truth is, most of them are not.

📷

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER] Side-by-side comparison: authentic Kashmiri aari embroidery vs machine-printed fake

Alt text: "Real vs fake Kashmiri aari embroidery side by side comparison"

What Makes Aari Embroidery Authentic

Genuine aari is done with a hooked needle, pulling thread up through the fabric in a continuous loop stitch. No machine can replicate this look exactly.

How to Identify the Difference

📷

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER] Macro close-up of genuine aari hook stitch on Kashmiri fabric

Alt text: "Close-up showing the characteristic loop-stitch of authentic aari embroidery"

Look at the back of the fabric. Authentic aari shows clean, consistent loop stitches on the reverse. Machine embroidery shows overlapping thread locks.

▶️

[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER] 3 ways to spot fake aari embroidery at home — quick test (45 sec)

Great for Reels · Show the thread pull test, back side check, and hook stitch pattern

When in doubt, buy from GI-certified Kashmir Origin stores where every piece is verified authentic.

Back to blog