The artistic delicacy and elaborateness of Rajasthani Jewelry made of purest and a finest material is world-renowned. Rajasthan became famous for its Jewelry from the very early times, being an important source of precious and semi precious stones.
The women take pride in their traditional Jewelry and Rajasthani womenfolk cherish their heritage. The pieces of Jewelry are often heirlooms and passed down in families. The Rakhri, Bindi and Borla are the main head ornaments of the women of the state. Besides these, they use an assortment of jeweled pins, clips and hair brooches, necklace, earrings, anklets and an adornment to decorate each body part.
© Sunita Shekhawat
The craftsmen of Jaipur, known for their high quality enamel work, use of enamel colours such as red, blue, white, black, green, yellow and golden which are derived from minerals. In Rajasthan, unique ornaments are created by combining Kundan and Meenakari styles of jewelry crafting. The embedded stones stand out in the enameled pieces and their brilliance is set off by the intricate designs and superior craftsmanship. The various communities involved in crafting were the chiterias (designers), the ghaarias (the engravers), the meenakar and the sunar (the goldsmiths). Creatively crafted pieces of Jewelry use combinations of enameling and kundan work which are unique to Rajasthan. Kundan is the art of setting stones in Jewelry. The cavities in which the stones are to be embedded are filled with gold of high purity. Uncut stones are then usually set skillfully in kundan style and are noted for its purity of colour and the evenness with which it is applied. The motifs, usually figures of birds, animals, landscapes, flowers and esoteric symbols are cut skillfully.
Pratapgarh in Rajasthan has a type of quasi-enameling called tewa, which is extremely fine gold work done on a base of green enamel. Enameling is also done in Nathdwara where enameled beads in colourful hues are used to make beautiful necklaces in silver or gilded metal. Rajasthan is also famous for products of German silver lacquered and inlaid on wood, and, to a small extent, in leather.
Jaipur is an important centre for stone-cutting or lapidary work where precious stones are cut and polished with great skill. Goldsmiths have made gold Jewelry since ages in this region. Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Jade, Garnets, Agate, Amethyst, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline Topaz, Lapis lazuli, Carnelian...the kaleidoscopic hues of the precious and semiprecious stones used in Rajasthani ornaments flash and the brilliance of these are only rivaled by the beauty of the women who wear the ornaments.
Kundan Meena Jewelry
Not surprisingly, there is a high usage of these gems and stones in the local jewelry making industry. This forms the basis of the kundan ornaments of the state. Jaipur and Jodhpur are especially famed for their accomplished artisans and the glittering markets of sparkling and splendid jewelry. Johari Bazar of Jaipur showcases the exclusive creations in semiprecious, precious and studded ornamentation.
