Excellence
of Indian craftsman has been recognized world over throughout the ages.
Indian Jewelery is one of the most suitable examples of Indian
craftsmanship. Jewelry in India, in fact, also carries the cultural
connotations with it. Man and woman, both, have been wearing jewelry for
ages. A woman is also traditionally gifted Indian jewellery on the
auspicious occasion of her wedding. It's gifted from both her parents and
her in-laws. Very simple logic is behind this tradition. Along with the
obvious purpose of ornamentation, the jewellery is her safeguard against odd
times. In absence of an income of her own, she also can trade in her
jewellery if the need arises. It doesn't mean that Indian woman does not
like her ornaments well crafted.
Various Kinds of
Jewelry in India
All the markets in India have its own share of gold and silversmiths and
Indian jewelry is famous all over the world. Tourists prefer Indian jewelry
because of its beautiful ethnic and modern style, well-carved by expert
craftsmen. Here are some famous forms of jewellery in India.
Gold Jewellery
The yellow mettle is a favourite among the women of Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra. Gold is considered
auspicious, not to mention a status symbol. Even the humblest bride down
south has some of this shiny metal in her trousseau. Although machine-made
trinkets are fast catching on, handcrafted gold jewellery in India is still
very much in vogue. Major difference between the south Indian jewellery and
north Indian jewelry is in the detail, delicacy and motifs. Whereas north
Indians think small is beautiful, south Indians believe certainly otherwise.
Silver Jewellery
Various kinds of adornments in silver include : hansli or the choker; tikka
or the spherical pendant for the forehead; nath or the nose ring which may
be attached with a chain to the adjacent jhumka; dangling earrings called
jhumkas; a series of bracelets called kadas; payals or anklets with tiny
bells on them; and finally the chakti or toe rings of the married women. Men
in Rajasthan usually wear chokers, earrings and bracelets too. These designs
represent a lovely blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, as are the karigars
(craftsmen) who may be a Hindu or a Muslim. Another favourite is silver
jewellery with ornate tribal designs. One of the latest additions to the
repertoire is silver studded with semi-precious stones. The most happening
centers of silver jewellery in India include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal
Pradesh and Ladakh.
Diamond Jewelry
Diamond jewelry in India is also much popular and in demand. Diamonds also
mean some good lifetime investments. Apart from this, a diamond forms a
unique part of your identity. There are a number of diamond jewelry
manufacturing centres in India where they produce diamond jewelry blending
the traditional Indian touches with contemporary style.
Gems Jewelry
You just need to consult any palmist and astrologer, and you prescribed
precisely the clarity and carat required to ward off the evil eye or reverse
a spell of ill-luck. Rubies, garnets, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, corals
and turquoise are some of the good buys here. The artisans of Jaipur and
Calcutta have honed to perfection the craft of cutting and polishing stones
to achieve the most gleaming facets.
Kundan Jewelry
Cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur are famous for the age-old technique of
setting gems in gold called Kundan. Precious stones like diamonds, emeralds
and rubies are set in gold and silver in the Mughal-inspired art. Gems are
not secured by a rim or claw but bedded in a surround of gold leaf.
Meenakari Jewelry
Enameling or Meenakari was basically meant to protect gold. It's so soft
and malleable in its pure state that it can easily wear away. The technique
however came to be used for all sorts of objet d'art. Enameling, here, means
a champleve technique. It means in simple English that a recess is hollowed
out in the surface of gold or silver to take in a mineral. As for example,
Cobalt Oxide, gives a blue color, and then fired into the depression. It
leaves a thin line separating the segments of color. These patterns are
generally floral and colored in red, green and blue which can be seen on
small jewellery and kumkum boxes.
Gems & Jewelry Trade Shows in India
India is also known for its many gems and jewelry exhibitions where you can
feast your eyes upon a wide range of jewelry items in India. Hyderabad, New
Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are the main cities where these jewelry shows
are held. Some of the major gems and jewelry exhibitions in India are as
follows.
» South India Jewellery Show (SIJS), Bangalore
» Indian International Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show
(IIFJAS), Mumbai
» Times Shagun-New Delhi, New Delhi
» Jewels New Delhi, New Delhi
» Beauty & Trendz Ahead, New Delhi
» The JCK Show, New Delhi
» Hyderabad Jewellery Pearl & Gem Fair, Hyderabad
