So what are the famous forms of Indian jewellery, how are they different from one another and how can you go about making the right selection and a perfect buy for yourself? Let’s have a look.
Kundan Jewellery:
This is one of the oldest forms of jewellery known in India, dating to as far back as the 16th century. Unique in its style, Kundan jewellery first saw its creation in the courts of Rajputs in Rajasthan and Gujarat where it was welcomed with a fast-growing demand for it. The intricacies involved in its making were developed and perfected under the royal patronage of the Mogul emperors who adorned the jewellery for its richness in beauty and variety. The trickiness in its creation lies in the technique used to set the gemstones into exquisitely designed Kundan, meaning pure gold. The elaborate steps to be followed in the making process demand very specific skill-sets and a fine eye for detail from the craftsmen.
Kundan jewellery dominates wedding collections these days, as brides-to-be love it for its extensive range in designs, use of vivid colors and inherent beauty and grace.
Meenakari Jewellery:
First introduced in India in the 16th century by the Maharaja of Rajasthan, Raja Man Singh, Meenakari is essentially enameling the metal surface of jewelry with colors. This art requires higher skill compared to other forms and its intricacy calls for application of technical mindset. The end product is always breathtakingly beautiful and works well with traditional Indian costumes. Often Kundan work is combined with Meenakari to give the piece of jewellery two equally beautiful surfaces.
Meenakari jewellery is also a favorite amongst brides for its ethnic appeal and extravagant appearance.
Stone Jewellery:
Worn for reasons ranging from spiritual to pure fashion, jewellery studded with gemstones is quiet famous amongst Indian men and women alike. In Indian astrology, different gemstones are categorized as birth-stones standing for each month of the year, and jewellery made with them is often worn as good-luck charm. Beautiful jewellery is created with precious and semi-precious stones to make ethnic ornaments as well as fashionable pieces of jewellery.
Navratna Jewellery:
Believed to bring good luck and fortune to the wearer, this form of jewellery is created by embedding nine auspicious stones into metal. According to Indian astrology, each planet watches over one of the nine gems and offer power. The navratna, meaning nine jewels, include diamond, ruby, emerald, coral, pearl, sapphire, garnet, topaz, and cat's eye.
Gold Jewellery:
Considered auspicious among Hindus and to be symbolic of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, gold finds immense usage in all forms of Indian jewellery.Although the use of it in making decorative ornaments has been recorded in the earliest of Indian civilizations, Gold jewellery received great attention and saw much progress under the Mughal rule, bringing it in notice of the world.
Today, no wedding collection is without Gold jewellery. And it’s a matter of great pride for Indians to adorn jewellery made in gold.
Bead Jewellery:
Quiet in-vogue today as fashion jewellery, the use of Bead jewellery is dated to as far back as the Indus valley civilization, some five thousand years ago. In the old days, this jewellery was made with beads of gold, silver, ivory and even wood. With the changing times, the material used to make beads has also changed. During the Mughal era, beads were made up of precious and semi-precious stones. They became more transparent and refined when Europeans came to India. The art of making beads is extremely intricate and a time consuming process, and has been perfected in India over many years.
These days, bead jewellery is available in many variants of shape, size, color and material ranging from glass and metal like sterling silver, to precious and semi-precious stones. And they have become quite a favorite amongst women of all ages and fashioned as both corporate as well as casual look.
Temple Jewellery:
This form of jewellery had first come into existence for decorating Indian gods and goddesses in the temple, and in the later years, had come to be adorned by temple dancers. Characterized by some of the finest handwork, the ornaments are made from gold and studded with red and green precious stones. The craft for making temple jewellery requires high-level of craftsmanship which makes them quite expensive.
Temple jewellery has become a necessity in Indian bridal collection. Also, during festivals and other special occasions, women wear this jewelllery as it is believed to be auspicious and bring good luck.
So it is that the inimitable art of jewelry-making mastered over thousands of years and perfected in the hands of many passionate craftsmen has come to be celebrated and known worldwide as Indian jewellery. You can visit famous Indian stores like Mangatrai Pearls and Jewellery or browse through their online catalogues to shop from the finest range of Indian jewellery.
Indian Jewellery
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