Ethnic Indian Jewelery

Introduction

The convention of embellishing herself has been the greatest charm for any woman on this earth. And Indian women are no exception to it. The tradition of Jewelery in India is a long affair of over 5000 years. Indian jewelery has become an inseparable part of an Indian woman's life. Known for its variety, elegance and intricate expertise, the jewelry of India has won over many hearts and has been a perennial source of inspiration for many. The art of adorning oneself is not restricted to women only. History is an evidence that even men love to adorn themselves with pieces of jewelery. Indian Jewelery is more than a mere ornament., the divinity and aesthetic essence is intact to it.

Origin

The tradition of jewelery making is not new to India but it was introduced and propagated long before. Since primitive times, the indigenous style of jewelry making has set the Indian Jewelery convention apart form others. The skillful artisans had taken inspiration from the objects around them and molded a trivial thing as seeds, feathers, leaves, berries, fruits, flowers, animal bones, claws and teeth into a beautiful ornament. Every possible thing around the human being was transmuted into a artistic creation to beautify him. Such jeweleries are even today worn by many. The excavations at Mohenjodaro and other sites of the Indus Valley civilization are an evidence to the rich legacy of hand made ornaments of that time.

History

Metals like gold, silver, brass, copper, ivory, precious and semi precious stones were skillfully transformed to exquisite jewelery pieces. Our much revered epics also give glimpses of their love for ornaments. Manusmiriti lays some obligations of goldsmith. With the commencement of the third century B.C. India had gained the status of being an exporter of gems and precious stones. History holds it that jewelery was not only meant for humans but the idols of Gods and Goddesses, ceremonial horses and elephants were even adorned with jeweleries of gold. 

Evolution 

Kings envied each other and always to get hold of possession of mold exquisite jeweleries. India was looked upon as a Golden bird for its massive treasure of gold, gems and stones. In those times, silver was the bulwark of Indian jewelery. Silver jewelery was considered more elegant and beautiful. Temples, and other splendid edifices encouraged different types of ornaments fragrant with sandalwood beads, the prayer beads and rudraksh. Jewelery was regarded as the most profitable investment as it could be easily converted into cash.