The legacy of jewelry making in India extends back thousands of years. Most historians believe that the origin of Indian jewelry predates the 4000 year old Indus Valley Civilization, to the period of the mythical war of the Mahabharatha. Modern Indian jewelry is undoubtedly an amalgam of several jewelry styles that were incorporated into the culture of the Indian sub-continent, with each dynastic rule or monarch bringing their own unique style into the region and making it popular. The most enduring styles that have stood the test of time include Kundan, Meenakari, temple Jewelry and filigree work.
In Kundan jewelry, made popular by the royalty of the Mughal dynasty, special gems and stones are mounted in pure gold, in sophisticated designs that range from floral motifs to traditional inlays. Traditionally, Kundan Jewelry is set with real, uncut diamonds. Nowadays, Kundan jewelry is usually available set in silver, together with glass replacing real diamonds and combined with other precious and semi-precious stones. Many retailers who sell Indian jewelry online report a high demand for Kundan jewelry, and it continues to be a wedding favorite.
Meenakari, a close cousin of the Kundan style, has its own origins within the royal houses of Rajasthan. Meenakari is actually a style of jewelry that mixes enameling with metals like gold and silver so as to produce a spectacular array of exquisite jewelry that continue to be stylish even today. The Rajasthan Royals adopted the beauty of the Kundan style and infused it with portions of Meenakari to produce Jadau, a striking combination of stone and enamel work.
The legacy of temple jewelry extends back to the Chola dynasty of the south. Created to adorn the idols of gods and goddesses in the Hindu temples of the south, temple jewelry soon became a favorite of royals and court dancers. Handmade and inlaid having precious gem stones like rubies, emeralds and pearls, the craft of temple jewelry continues to be in the hands of handful of artisans in the Nagercoil area, who continue to fashion beautiful pieces of jewelry utilizing skills that were handed down by their ancestors. This sought-after style is usually stocked by a lot of retailers of Indian jewelry online, as it is a must-have for students of Indian dance styles like Bharathnatyam and Kuchipudi.
Filigree work has its roots within the eastern region, particularly in Orissa and Bengal. Filigree is a style that concerns heating metal, usually silver or gold, which is then beaten to form fine wire and worked into delicate jewelry. Usually, filigree work depicts different gods and goddesses, but to keep up with modern trends, artisans are now making nature inspired pieces that include floral motifs and abstract designs.
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While all of the above are representative of expensive hand-crafted styles, many retailers of Indian jewelry online offer a wide range of affordable, factory-manufactured pieces of Indian jewelry that simulate the beauty of traditional jewelry, while substituting rare, precious metals and stones with more affordable options like silver and semi-precious stones. Visit the author's home page: http://bayareadogs.net
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