| The fact that Indian jewelry tradition dates back | | | | pearls, citrine, amethyst, turquoise, moonstone, |
| to thousands of years proves the description of | | | | peridot, and other stones. The most widely |
| Shakuntala's Indian jewelry by the great poet | | | | sought after is the diamond. This gem named |
| Kalidasa. It is interesting to note that both men | | | | after a Greek word "Adamas" means |
| and women of ancient times wore Indian jewelry | | | | unconquerable, suggesting the eternity of love. |
| made of gold, silver, copper, ivory, and precious | | | | Thus, diamonds are mostly salable as anniversary |
| and semi-precious stones. The description of the | | | | gifts, wedding rings, engagement rings, as wedding |
| Indian jewelry can be found in the great epics of | | | | bands, and so on. The ability to generate some of |
| Ramayana and the Mahabharata and also in the | | | | the finest designs by the artisans of the past |
| code of Manu that defines various duties of the | | | | speaks loudly of the unmatched caliber of the |
| goldsmith. As a result of this, India has been a | | | | artisans. In smaller places, the goldsmith may |
| leading exporter of gemstones and even | | | | perform all the processes involved in producing a |
| manufactured jewelry. In India the jewelries act | | | | finished piece. In cities, the different operations |
| as ornaments made virtually for every part of | | | | are undertaken by separate people-the goldsmith |
| the body. There are jewelries for the head, hair, | | | | prepares the skeletal framework, the chatera |
| ears, neck, wrists, arms, fingers, hips, ankles, and | | | | engraves, the kundansaaz or jaria sets the |
| toes. Just name it, they have it. The desire to | | | | stones, while the meenasaaz enamels it. Today |
| adorn one's self in these jewelries is to satisfy the | | | | the Indian jewelry has two major trends in the |
| thirst to beautify one's self. Nevertheless, the | | | | market. The modern look, which is fragile and less |
| Indian jewelry served also as an identity marker, | | | | ornate and "the back to the Indian look," |
| as security, and as a symbol of social contracts. | | | | represented by the old pieces of Moghul and |
| But for Hindus, their Indian jewelry is associated | | | | ancient Indian jewelry, or imitations of these in |
| with many of their religious ceremonies. There are | | | | modern mediums. Indian jewelry has even |
| different regions in India that have their own | | | | become a passion with most women, especially |
| jewelry making styles that are unique only to | | | | Indian women as it is an integral part of her life. |
| them. In Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, they are | | | | Though it may not always be made in gold or |
| known for their fine filigree work using silver. | | | | silver or set with diamonds or other precious |
| Jaipur is known for the art of enameling or | | | | stones. Indian jewelry not only preserves its |
| meenakari. Temple jewelry can be found in | | | | beauty but also increases life! So what is it about |
| Nagercoil, whereas kundan is a trademark of Delhi. | | | | traditional or old Indian jewelry that remains |
| Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal | | | | attractive for years, one might wonder! The |
| Pradesh are all known for the wide variety of | | | | answer is, "They have shone through to stand |
| beads they offer. The Indian jewelry is set with | | | | the test of time. |