This was because Hindu astrologers believed that each gemstone had a distinctive property and had to be handled with care. In the old days, it would have been considered outrageous to mix and match an assortment of colored gems. The most popular bears the jewel-encrusted Sanskrit word “Om” - considered the most sacred syllable from which all other sound emerges - strung on a beaded chain. Ladoo, an Indian sweetmeat, often represented by a cluster of rubies or yellow sapphires.Īnother favorite descendant of ancient spiritual jewelry is a good luck talisman. In some poses he carries a ladoo, an Indian sweetmeat, often represented by a cluster of rubies or yellow sapphires. This god is constantly evolving, and has been depicted in as many as 32 unusual and distinct designs. One of the most popular Hindu motifs in spiritual jewelry is the Ganesha - the divine elephant-headed god who is renowned for his ability to bestow luck and good fortune. These bejeweled idols of gods and goddesses are now often worn on the hands, hips, and neck as pendants, bracelets, belts, and brooches. The common motifs in spiritual jewelry were inspired by Hindu mythology, and, despite the fickle dictates of fashion, they remain essentially the same today. Jewelry/photo courtesy Vummidi Bangaru Jewelers, Chennai, South India.
It was considered providential for both men and women to wear precious gems for all celebrations, especially while attending weddings and at times of prayer, so distinctive ornaments were designed to cater to these occasions.Ī popular traditional jewelry design from north India called Rakudi, often seen in temple jewelry. Spiritual jewelry evolved due to social and religious dictates. All of these varieties used a great deal of colored stones to enhance their look. The traditional antique Indian jewelry range could be broadly classified into three categories: spiritual, bridalwear, and the temple jewelry described above. Not only was it considered auspicious to purchase jewelry, but it also served as a practical and reliable investment. Every rich family had their own private designer, and, in some cases, they would even source out the gemstones personally in their travels to Myanmar (formerly Burma) and overseas. They rarely ventured beyond pearls, rubies, and emeralds, and these were always interlaced with gold and diamonds in an ostentatious setting. However, when it came to choosing the actual gems, women took the conservative approach. In the old days, more was definitely better. Jewelry and photos courtesy Vummidi Bangaru Jewelers, Chennai, South India. Eventually, it became fashionable for Indian women to sport those antique styles, which got absorbed into the bridal trousseau and worn on special occasions.Ī modern interpretation of a traditional jasmine flower design with unpolished rubies. While such jewelry was initially made simply as decorations for the goddesses, later it was worn by temple dancers. Statues of heavy-busted women were adorned with chunky, beaded necklaces bearing intricate filigree designs dozens of oversized, gem-studded bracelets earrings that resembled clusters of dangling grapes thick anklets and jewel-encrusted nose rings.
Going back even further, Indian Hindus have a history of crafting rich and ornate temple jewelry for their pantheon of gods and goddesses. It was during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-1600s that the Taj Mahal was built, decked with gemstones of all types - a luxury that is said to have severely taxed his treasury and earned him the ire of his sons. In addition to art, they had a profound influence on architecture. The Mughals - Muslim invaders from the Middle East - swept through northern India in the early 1500s, radically changing the politics and culture of the region. It could be said to have reached its peak in the Mughal era. India’s love affair with precious gems dates back thousands of years. An Indian woman’s best friend is most likely to be her ruby ring, or the string of pearls her mother gave her for her tenth birthday, or perhaps the giant garnet earrings that have been family heirlooms for over six generations.Ī contemporary design featuring emeralds and unpolished diamonds, used for formal evening wear. Read on for more details.įorget diamonds. This article describes how India fell in love with precious gems and the role of precious gems in India’s culture.
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