Handmade Jewelry Making in India- A art as old as time

The jewellery of India is as old as the country’s history and narrates the story as a striking expression of the country’s aesthetic and cultural history that is 5000 years old. The small amount of jewels that have lasted from distinct periods and distinct parts of the country, mentions in literature and texts on gemology, myths, folklores and chronicles provide for the evidence of a tradition that is unparalleled in the world.

For more than 2,000 years, India was the one and only supplier of gemstones to the world. Golconda diamonds, sapphires from Kashmir and pearls from the Gulf of Mannar were desired which lead to merchants drawing across land and sea to India. The rulers valued jewels as a statement of power, prosperity and prestige. But for Indian women, jewellery was, and is, in many parts well-thought-out to be a symbol of social and economic security, the importance of which will almost at all times appreciate and never depreciate.

The story of India’s captivation with jewellery dates back to 5,000 years ago in the Indus Valley. During those times, India was the prime manufacturer and exporter of beads to the rest of the world. India was also known to be home to the diamonds and invented the diamond drill thereafter, which was later taught to the Romans. The craftsmen of the Indus Valley Civilisation used semi-precious material like carnelian, agate, turquoise, faience, steatite and feldspar, molding them into tubular or barrel shapes and embellishing them with carvings, bands, dots and distinctive patterns, or setting them meticulously with gold.

Inferring by the jewellery they made and wore, the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation were an exceptionally sophisticated lot with a finely developed appealing sense, supported by intricate engineering skills.

The advent of Mughal rule further embellished the world of Indian jewellery. The fusion of Indian and Central Asian styles and patterns resulted in a great outburst of ornamentation, elegant and exquisite, and of a lush extravagance never seen before. Although traces of enameling in jewellery (the reverse side of each jewel is covered with intricate enamel work) have been found at the ancient town of Taxila, this technique reached its zenith only under the Mughals.
Ancient Indian designs were gently modified to incorporate various geometrical, floral and nature-inspired designs. The combination of crescent and stem – earrings had a small stem at the top of a crescent from which a fish was suspended, and further led to a bunch of pearls – became a regular feature of Mughal jewelry.
The repetitive color palette of green, red and white in Mughal designs corresponds to the intensive use of emeralds, rubies and diamonds. As much as these gems were a symbol of the opulence and dignity of the empire, they were also treasured as protective talismans. Emeralds were extremely popular with the Mughal Court and the emperors referred to them as “Tears of the Moon.”

Several designer jewelry stores in Mumbai are known to offer their customers the intricate jewelry designs that extract its essence from the jewelry of ancient times. Their designs and craftsmanship depict the exclusivity of a piece. These designer jewelry stores in Mumbai often use the technique that was used in the olden days so as to maintain the essence of the whole process that is delivered in the ornament. There are handmade jewelry stores in Bangalore that have existed for over a century’s time and promise to keep the essence of traditional art of jewelry making. One can visit these stores if they are keen on owning a jewelry piece that depicts the richness of ancient times.

Author Bio

The author has a deep interest in the Indian history and the art of handmade jewelry making since the trivial times. Her love for traditional jewelry makes her research and write about this intricate profession of jewelry making.