The history of jewelry making in India goes back many thousands of years. Many historians believe that the origin of Indian jewelry predates the 4000 year old Indus Valley Civilization, to the time of the mythical war of the Mahabharatha. Modern Indian jewelry is usually an amalgam of countless jewelry styles that were incorporated into the culture of the Indian sub-continent, with each dynastic rule or monarch bringing their own special 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, precious gemstones are mounted in pure gold, in detailed designs that range from floral motifs to traditional inlays. Usually, Kundan Jewelry is set with real, uncut diamonds. These days, Kundan jewelry is likewise available set in silver, along with glass replacing real diamonds and combined with other precious and semi-precious stones. Several retailers who sell Indian jewelry online report a high need for Kundan jewelry, and it remains a wedding favorite.
Meenakari, a close cousin of the Kundan style, does have its own origins inside 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 elements of Meenakari to create Jadau, a striking combination of stone and enamel work.
The legacy of temple jewelry goes back to the Chola dynasty of the south. Manufactured to adorn the idols of gods and goddesses in the Hindu temples of the south, temple jewelry shortly became a favorite of royals and also court dancers. Handmade as well as inlaid with precious stones like rubies, emeralds as well as pearls, the craft of temple jewelry is still in the hands of several artisans in the Nagercoil area, who continue to fashion beautiful pieces of jewelry using skills that were passed down by their ancestors. This sought-after style can be stocked by nearly all retailers of Indian jewelry online, which 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 involving 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.
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