Tradition of Jewelry in India
The amulet necklaces
famous for their magical and protective attributes have now become an object
of fashion. The heavy belly chains used for checking the weight gain by
the queens as well as the king too has become a much-demanded jewelry in
present time for its sheer grace. The anklets, which were worn usually
without the hollow balls set at the lower end before the Mughal intrusion,
were given a different face by adding that tinkle to them. Various types
of anklets have been introduced and developed down the years that include
anklet with gemstone, ring anklets and much more. Apart from these traditional
indian jewelry, the modern section of jewelry includes sleek and light
jewelry like pendant and ring sets, ring and earring sets, earring and
ring sets, armlets, key rings and bangles. In bangles one gets a thousand
designs in different materials from metal to glass, stone, wood, shell,
lac and much more. However one of the most beautiful and ingenious bangles
are produced in Nathdwara Rajasthan.
This place
has a tradition of enameling on silver. This technique, enameling, is very
popular in Rajasthan. The designs are first etched on the surface on which
enameling is to be done. The surface is then fully burnished with agate.
The various stones are then filled in their respective places. The piece
is now placed on a mica plate and kept in the furnace. The mica plate is
used to prevent its direct contact with fire. Colours are applied according
to their hardness. The ones, which require more heat, are filled in first
and so on. When it is taken out from the furnace finally, it is rubbed
with a file very gently and cleaned with lemon juice or tamarind to give
the shine. It is a very long and painstaking process, yet the craftsmen
have very expert and swift hands in producing lovely enameled jewelry in
Rajasthan.
Besides being beautiful
and attractive, the gems have a tremendous healing power. They influence
the very self of the person wearing them. The effect can be extremely beneficial
if the compatibility is right between the stone and the wearer.
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