Usually associated with the aristocrats and royalty in India, Zari work and Mirror Work is amongst the most famous and complex techniques of metal embroidery. 

The word 'zari' is said to have originated in a small Persian village of the same name. It was brought to India by the Persian migrants between 1700-1100 B.C., during the Rigvedic period. Under the rule of Emperor Akbar in the Mughal Era, this embroidery especially grew famous. After that, when Aurangzeb ruled, the Zari embroidery went through a decline, becoming extinct. The reason for this was the high production costs since the craftsmen could not afford to carry forward this art form by themselves.

However, after India's independence from British rule, the government approached several steps to promote the infamous Zari embroidery work. Since then, it has become a part of the culture of many Indian states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, etc.

Zari work is done by twisting flattened metallic strips made from gold, silver, or nowadays, metallic polyester, around yarn made of silk, cotton, polyester, or other kinds of materials.

The sparkling dazzle of the threads is increased by passing it through a brightener, giving it a more aesthetically pleasing and elegant look.

There are different forms of Zari work – zardozi, kamdani, mina work, and gota work.

Zardozi refers to typically more heavy and detailed embroidery, done for wedding outfits, coats, etc. The embellishments include gold threads, seed pearls, and beads.

Kamdani is a lighter embroidery done for items like scarves and caps. Regular thread and flattened wire are pressed down to create a satin stitch effect on the fabric, called 'hazara butti'. 

Mina work uses gold threads to mimic enamel work. In gota work, gota ribbons are woven with flattened gold or silver wire and silk or cotton threads to use as a trim on garments and textiles.

The main process involves the usage of tools like curved hooks, needles, sequins, sitaraas, glass/plastic beads, and Dabka thread, which is basically a thin coiled wire. Craftsmen trace the desired design over the fabric, preferably silk, velvet and satin. The cloth is stretched properly over a wooden frame, after which the embroidery begins. A needle is utilised for pulling out each zari element, and it is added back into the actual design by pushing the needle back into the fabric.

Zari can be categorised into three types, the different types of thread used, making it distinctive from the other.

Real zari is expensive since it is made out of real gold and silver. Imitation zari is made from thin silver electroplated copper wire, and metallic zari is created using slit polyester metallised film.

Both real and imitation zari are made to order by craftsmen, while customers can buy metallic zari directly off the store shelves.

Shine and elegance are important elements of any Zari embroidered garment, making its maintenance essential. The garments should be encased in soft cotton or muslin, and customers should also make sure to dry clean their garments from time to time.