Indian Jewelry History

The story of Indian jewelry goes back over 5000 years to the prehistoric past. Different regions of India have Jewelry making styles unique to them. In Orissa and Andhra Pradesh fine filigree work in silver, in Jaipur the delicate art of enameling or meenakari, the temple jewelry of Nagercoil and, Kundan or the setting of semi-precious or precious stones in gold from Delhi are now famous the world over. The wide variety of silver beads found all over India, especially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh are also well known. In India ornaments are made for practically every part of the body. Such a variety of ornaments bear testimony to the excellent skill of the jewelers and crafts people of India. Jewelry in Gold, diamonds, silver, sterling silver, precious stones and semi-precious stones is a rage all over the world. Nose rings, ear rings, bracelets, Necklace, crowns, rings, anklets, amulets and necklaces, in any metal and styles can be found in India. The Meenakari and Kundan styles of jewelry making which have been influenced by the Mughal dynasty are usually used in combination to make jewelry pieces that can be worn as chokers and necklaces. The temple jewelry of Nagercoil consists of traditional gold ornaments studded with red and green semi-precious stones. These were typically used as offerings to the Gods and hence the name. Today, some of these designs are being made in silver and then washed with gold.