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INDIA ––» Rajasthan
Gems & Jewelry ––» Gemstones
Gemstones
Rajasthan
excels in wide range of precious and semi-precious jewellery. Exquisite are
made in Jaipur and Jodhpur using emerald, diamond, pearl, garnet, agate and
lapiz lazuli.
Jaipur has been famous artisans specializing in cutting of precious and semi-precious
stones. The design and the way the stones are cut in Jaipur represents he admixture
of Mughal and Rajput styles. As opposed to the modern equipment used by European
lapidaries, Jaipur workers use simple tools, in spite of which their dexterity
and skill is remarkable.
A piece of jewellery very popular in Rajasthan is the navratna. This is a collection
of nine gems set together in a single piece of jewellery, either a pendant or
a ring. The gems were said to counteract the external and evil influences of
the planets and ensure good luck for those who were them. Pearls were also considered
extremely lucky to wear and emperors even ate ground pearls as medicine.( They
are still used in some medicines).
Pearl veils covered the faces of brides and grooms. A large number of traditional
designs in jewellery are still very popular. Many in cheaper metals for the
common man, and precious stones are replaced by coloured glass or semi precious
stones.
The jewellery of Rajasthan has rich tradition that has imbibed the best brought
in by the Mughals without losing its own distinct character. As Birdwood comments
In nothing do the people of India display their naturally gorgeous and costly
taste, so much as in their jewellery and jewelled arms which are not only fabricated
of the richest and rarest materials but wrought likewise with all elaborateness,
delicacy and splendor of design within the reach of art.
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