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The crowning glory of diamonds
India is a vast pool of talent as far as cutting and polishing of diamonds are concerned. India and Indians have always been fascinated by precious jewellery. While gold and silver are the traditional metals for making jewellery, of late, fashion jewellery has come to encompass much more.
More than half of the world exports of cut and polished diamonds is from India. Chances are that nine of ten diamonds in the world would have been cut and polished in India. The cutting and polishing of diamonds and precious stones is one of the oldest traditions in India and the skill and creativity of the workmanship is acknowledged the world over. India was the first country to mine diamonds, cut and polish them and also trade them. For 2,700 years, from 9 BC to 18 AD, India was the leading producer of diamonds, it is said!
Gems and Jewellery industry is the leading foreign exchange earner for the country. It is also one of the fastest growing industries in the country at the rate of approximately 15 % every year, and employs over 1 million people.
India's domestic consumption of precious metal and gems is also pretty high. Exports, under the commodity group 'Gems and Jewellery' include
· Diamonds
· Precious / Semiprecious stones or coloured gemstones
· Gold jewellery
· Pearls
· Non-gold jewellery
· Synthetic stones Costume / fashion jewellery.
Although figuring high on in the exports of diamonds, India still has only a minuscule percentage of the US " 105 billion world finished jewellery market. Thus there is tremendous potential. India's main advantage is the enormous and highly-talented artisan force. The finest jewellery is made in gold and is studded with precious stones and pearls. Most of the jewellery in India is hand made. Again, every state has its own unique style of jewellery. The kundan and minakari work of Rajasthan and Delhi, the precious-stone encrusted heavy jewellery of the southern states, the filigree work of Orissa, the hollow bead work of Maharashtra, are all unique in themselves. In the northern states a lot of silver jewellery is also made.
Of late, many have been manufacturing light and delicate jewellery to cater to the taste of the modern women. And in this respect, it must be added that platinum, or white gold as it is called, is gaining a lot of favour.
FASHION JEWELLERY
What's IN this season
Experts say that chunky jewellery is the flavour of the season. Diamonds are very much in vogue. Large sized diamond chokers are in huge demand. Apparently, the trend is to have all shapes and sizes of diamonds on the same piece! In earrings too, size seems to dominate. Large, umbrella-shaped jhumkas or chandelier earrings are as much in fashion as ever. People in the know comment that never will go out of fashion! Cascading necklaces, large bangles, in short, everything life size, seems to be the trend! An exception is the maang-teeka or the ornament worn in the parting of the hair, over the forehead. While this may be biggish, it might be a better idea to have a delicate piece, in yes, diamond, so that one can wear it on other occasions too.
In the less expensive category, for both formal and informal occasions, wooden jewellery is very much in, whether by itself or teamed up with silver or kundan. For a different and very chic look, you could group wood with precious stones like rubies, emeralds and corals or stones in greens, oranges and turquoise. Thick colourful bracelets are also going to be very popular.
Flora and fauna too seem to figure high in the area of jewellery! Flowers, feathers, butterfly shapes, corals, shells, horn, all are going to be the rage this coming season. So this time around, the look is to be either deliciously rich or invitingly natural, take your pick! You cannot go wrong with either.
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