November_2011

Page 56

TULIP

SPECIAL

JEWELLERY – HISTORY AND GLITZ

Indians have been using jewellery for adornment, since centuries. The significance in the country is evident from the fact that for many s occasions, jewellery forms a part of gifting. In India, jewellery is considered more auspicious for and among women‌

T

raditionally, jewellery has always been linked with wealth, power and status. To accentuate their feminine beauty, they use jewellery made of gold, silver and diamonds. Talking about the significance of jewelry in the life of women in India, they are gifted jewellery in different phases of life such as, at birth, at coming of age, in marriage, on becoming a mother, etc. Certain ornaments, such as - Mangalsutra, Nath (nose ring), toe rings, Maangtika, Bangles, Necklaces, etc. are quintessential for married Indian women. From the practice of generations, these gifts are still continuing without any abruption. Jewellery gifted to women at the time of her marriage is called Stridhan i.e. wealth of women, which in short

is symbol of wealth, power and femininity. Jewellery design is so versatile in India that it varies from state to state. If some jewelry is so much popular in one state, it might not necessarily be popular in another state. Incidentally, even today, gold is the metal most widely used for bridal ornaments and over the last decade, these are increasingly being studded with diamonds. Carat is a unit of mass and is used to measure ornaments. Metals like Gold, normally is available in these mentioned carats – 18, 22 and 24. In Indian settings, a wedding has many more connota-


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.