10.29.08
Posted in Jewellery
at 3:05 pm
The popular adage `old is gold’ holds true for Indian jewellery as traditional and antique designs make a comeback amidst a swelling clientele, writes ARCHANA RAGHURAM.
FIVE THOUSAND years ago was born the desire to adorn oneself and thus took root Indian jewellery. India being a “gem-bearing” country has been a treasure trove of various precious stones and has enticed many a traveller, trader and invader alike.
Transgressing through time and history, Indian jewellery has not remained just a craft, but evolved into an art - both in design and workmanship. For the rulers, jewels were a statement of power, prosperity and prestige. But for the Indian woman, jewellery was and is, even today in many parts considered as a security, the value of which will almost always accentuate, never depreciate.
Temple jewellery: Classical and traditional in its appearance, temple jewellery is commonly associated with dancers practicing the dance form of Bharatanatyam or Kuchipudi. Temple jewellery is characterised by some of the finest handwork, painfully crafted by skilled craftsmen and jewellers. Due to the finesse required in crafting it, the time required to deliver the jewellery may sometimes even go up to a year, depending on the number of pieces required. But one sight at the final product and most of customers will forget the agony of their wait.
From earrings to necklaces to pieces for adorning the hair, feet, hip and even the plait, the temple jewellery that is custom-made, according to the measurements of the customer, is surely an enviable possession.
Made with uncut rubies (pucchakallu), emeralds, uncut diamonds (param), pearls, sapphire and other precious stones with the foundation in gold.
The price range could be anywhere between Rs. 80,000 for a pair of jhumkas (earrings) to several lakhs for necklaces and other specialised items. A set for a dancer, meeting all her requirements for the perfect adornment could be between Rs. 8,00,000 to Rs. 15,00,000.
Says Kirtilal’s manager Gunashekar, “the reason for the expensive nature of temple jewellery is obviously the making charge, which itself is almost one-third of the total cost.”
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Posted in Jewellery
at 3:03 pm
Even today, the original temple jewellery is made only by certain craftsmen, who have to follow stringent requirements during the course of making it, like maintaining a cool temperature (as heat could damage the delicate gold threading), total concentration on each set due to the intricacy involved (which means taking up only one order at a time), and so on.
Antique jewellery: In contrast to its name, it actually relates to the present trend and is in reality considered more of fancy jewellery. Says Gunashekar, “the real antique jewellery is only that which is passed on through the ages. What we now craft in the name of antique jewellery is actually the modern day jewellery in gold or silver, which goes through a process of oxidising and is sometimes buried in a pot of clay, to give it a dull look.”
“Antique silver is an offshoot of this process,” he says. In lieu of its uncommon appearance, wherein the shine of gold is conspicuous by its absence, a very select clientele desires antique jewellery.
The price of antique gold or antique silver is usually Rs.150 to Rs. 200 more than the normal price per gram. “In contrast, real antiques are totally priceless and the price per gram could range anywhere between Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 per gram,” the manager of the upscale jewellery mart adds.
Minakari jewellery: Minakari or enamelling a unique combination of gems, enamel pigments and precious stones, was born as a result of Shah Jahan’s aesthetic vision that transformed enamelling into a sophisticated art. The outcome was a range of items, from jewellery to imperial thrones. The motifs used in the original minakari work were flowers, plants, scrolling vines and animal forms, amongst others.
Minakari jewellery is sought after more, by people in North India. The price starts from Rs. 3,000 for the simplest form of jewellery
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10.25.08
Posted in Fashion, Jewellery
at 1:59 pm
Back in the day, you were all about the plastic spider rings — admit it. It’s okay — we were, too. Because, hey, jewelry is jewelry, right? And we love jewelry, especially when it’s fun and festive.
Source:blogcdn
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09.08.08
Posted in Fashion, Jewellery
at 6:31 pm
The competition in the branded jewellery segment in India is bound to mount up with the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Retail Limited (RRL) recently declaring to make a foray by opening 300 exclusive ‘Reliance Jewels’ outlets across the country in the coming three years. Infact, the company has already launched its very first showroom at Jayanagar in Bangalore.
Sprawled over three storeys and covering an area of 6,000 sq ft, the Reliance Jewels store at Bangalore proffers as many as 10,000 designs of elegantly created jewellery pieces. It is learnt that the jewellery collection here have been assimilated from different parts of India. The availability of a wide range of gold and diamond jewellery makes Reliance Jewels a one-stop shopping venue for buyers of fine jewellery.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the very first Reliance Jewels Store, the company executives underscored that Reliance has strived to offer an impressive range of quality products at competitive price to customers from the very inception. And that Reliance jewellery too would embrace the same policy. It’s learnt that by 2010, Reliance targets to surpass Tata’s Tanishq, which is the leading player in the Indian branded jewellery market currently.
The gold jewellery at all Reliance jewellery stores will consist of Kolkata Filigree, Rajkot minakari jewellery, Kundan from Jaipur, Temple jewellery from Kerala, Jadau from Amritsar and so on. Even in Diamond jewellery, Reliance Jewels will offer only the best. One will find the widest variety of Diamond jewellery designs here ranging from simple daily wear to party wear items to celebrate every special occasion in a person’s life.
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