Metallic thread, historically flattened silver or gold wound on a silk core, now most often a metallised polyester. It is what gives Indian borders their weight and their shine.

Discs stitched to a ground, flat or cupped. Flat discs lie quiet and catch light only as the wearer moves, cupped ones throw light constantly, and that choice changes a garment more than the colour does.

What is the difference between zari and sequin work?

Zari: Metallic thread, historically flattened silver or gold wound on a silk core, now most often a metallised polyester. It is what gives Indian borders their weight and their shine. Sequin work: Discs stitched to a ground, flat or cupped. Flat discs lie quiet and catch light only as the wearer moves, cupped ones throw light constantly, and that choice changes a garment more than the colour does.

Zari or sequin work?

Two ways of putting shine on a border: metallic thread woven through, or discs stitched on. What each one does to a garment.

Written by Jugal Kachiwala, who runs the retail arm

Last updated 24 August 2026

	Zarialso: Zardozi thread	Sequin workalso: Sitara
What it is	Metallic thread, historically flattened silver or gold wound on a silk core, now most often a metallised polyester. It is what gives Indian borders their weight and their shine.	Discs stitched to a ground, flat or cupped. Flat discs lie quiet and catch light only as the wearer moves, cupped ones throw light constantly, and that choice changes a garment more than the colour does.
Designs counted	115by material: metallic zari	15by technique: sequin
From	₹30	₹600
Widths	5–100 mm	22–100 mm
Colours stocked	63Silver, Antique Gold, Pearl, Rose Gold +59	31Multicolour, Brown, Maroon, Cerise +27
See them	Zari trims and borders	Sequin trims and laces

Every figure is read from the catalogue as this page is built, across all designs carrying the attribute named — not a sample of them, and not the category totals in the menu, which count a shelf rather than a technique. The descriptions are the trade definitions from our glossary.

In short

What is zari?: Metallic thread, historically flattened silver or gold wound on a silk core, now most often a metallised polyester. It is what gives Indian borders their weight and their shine.
What is sequin work?: Discs stitched to a ground, flat or cupped. Flat discs lie quiet and catch light only as the wearer moves, cupped ones throw light constantly, and that choice changes a garment more than the colour does.
What is the difference between zari and sequin work?: Zari: Metallic thread, historically flattened silver or gold wound on a silk core, now most often a metallised polyester. It is what gives Indian borders their weight and their shine. Sequin work: Discs stitched to a ground, flat or cupped. Flat discs lie quiet and catch light only as the wearer moves, cupped ones throw light constantly, and that choice changes a garment more than the colour does.

About the author

Jugal Kachiwala

Retail, Lami Trims

Jugal Kachiwala has worked with the output of Lami Trims' looms since 2023, and runs the mill's retail arm. The designs on this site come off the company's own jacquard and embroidery machines in Surat; these guides are the answers the shop gives buyers who write in asking how much to order, how to attach a border, or how to wash what they have bought.

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