March 2nd, 2009 -- Posted in Indian Jewellery |
Making Of Native Indian Jewelry
Native Indian jewelry, especially the Navajo and Zuni variety, generated a growing interest for its magnificent design and manufacturing. It is based on a tradition that is not long, dating back to the mid-19th century. The emphasis here is on the silverware that is used in the manufacture of jewelry. It is a story that is worth seeking. It is an American legacy of the native Indians, from the time of the Spanish conquest. So in that sense it is a tradition that dates back to the time the founders of America….
Abd Laziz
To read the rest of this artilce please go to
http://ezinearticles.com/?Native-Indian-Jewelry-Making—Navajo-Silver-Jewelry&id=1267766
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February 28th, 2009 -- Posted in Indian Jewellery |
Buying and Wearing Genuine American Indian Jewelry & Crafts
Buying American Indian jewelry & crafts can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you’re considering a gift of American Indian jewelry & crafts for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here’s some information to help you get the best quality American Indian jewelry & crafts for your money, whether you’re shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.
Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver jewelry or the earth tones of Indian pottery, some information about American Indian arts and crafts can help you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous retailers are selling imitation American Indian arts and crafts to unwary consumers.
According to the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, any item produced after 1935 that is marketed as "Indian," "Native American" or "Alaska Native" must have been made by a member of a state or federally-recognized tribe or a certified Indian artisan. That is a non-member Indian artisan who is certified by the governing body of an Indian tribe.
3 Tips for Buying Genuine American Indian Jewelry & Crafts
1.Buy from an established dealer who gives a written guarantee or written verification of authenticity. Ask if your item comes with a certification tag. Not all authentic Indian arts and crafts carry this tag, but those that do are certified by the Department of the Interior (DOI) to be genuine. This sample tag identifies the artisan as a member of the Oklahoma Indian Arts and Crafts Cooperative. However, you may see a different name and logo appearing in the circle on the item you buy.
2.Get a receipt that includes information about the value of your purchase and any verbal representations by the salesperson. For example, if the salesperson tells you that the piece of jewelry you’re buying is sterling silver and natural turquoise and was handmade by an American Indian artisan, make sure this information is documented on your receipt.
3.Before buying American Indian arts and crafts at powwows, annual fairs, juried competitions, and other events, check the event requirements for information about the authenticity of the products for sale. Many events list their requirements in newspaper ads, promotional flyers and printed programs. If the event organizers don’t say anything about the authenticity of the American Indian arts and crafts for sale, get written verification for any item you buy that is sold as authentic.
About The Author
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of ‘How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.’ This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.
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February 21st, 2009 -- Posted in Indian Jewellery |
Native Indian jewelry, especially of the Navajo and Zuni variety,is generating increasing interest for its beautiful and stunning design and workmanship. It is based on a tradition that is not that long, going back to about the middle of the 19th century. The emphasis here is on the silverwork that is employed in the making of the jewelry. There is a fascinating history which is worth looking into. It is an American legacy of the native Indians, from the time of the Spanish Conquest. So in that sense it is a tradition that goes back to the founding times of America.
To read the rest of this article, please go to:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Native-Indian-Jewelry-Making—Navajo-Silver-Jewelry&id=1267766
Author: Abd Laziz
Abd Laziz writes articles and blogs on different topics. Native Indian jewelry making and Navajo jewelry are recent interests.
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February 5th, 2009 -- Posted in Indian Jewellery |
Marriages in India are synonymous to jewellery. The traditional jewellery of India is what makes the Indian weddings so rich and unique in their own manner. There are exclusive designs and works which complete the traditional look of the jewellery. The traditional gold jewellery is passed on for generations and families hold jewellery made many decades ago. The different jewellery includes armlets, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, earrings, fingerings, toe rings, nose rings, anklets, pendants and waistbands.
Different regions and cultures follow their unique designs and works. The south is known for its extensive temple based large deigns, the north is known for its exclusive carved designs, the west is known for its mirrored and stoned works and the east is famous for its beaded work. Many trends are taken from the Middle East regions but the designing is unique.
Pair of toe rings is a symbol of a married girl. These toe rings are usually made of silver and can even be studded with a stone. There are different styles of nose rings worn by women of different cultures. In the north they were large nose rings, sometimes the nose rings are bigger than the bangles they wear. The larger nose ring denotes the wealth of the husband. In the west nose rings are called nath, they are made of pearls and stones. Necklaces of traditional temple designs or the eminent kolhapuri sajh designs are sought after. North Indians cherish the traditional panchangal, which is a five ring connected gold jewellery for all the fingers in a hand. The waistband also known as kamarband is made out of gold or silver and is studded with precious stones. Earrings come in varied designs and types; there is the traditional long jhukams, which are long and bulky with detailed designing. The anklet is of two types; moveable and immovable. The flexible ones are made by joining rings of the metal, usually silver and the immovable ones are made like bangles with a gap to fit into the leg. The traditional Indian jewellery dates long back and is still famed for its design. These popular works are one of the sought after designs worldwide.
Many of the traditional designs are available only in certain places. Thus buying them online makes more sense. online jewellery shopping saves time and gets you the specific design you have longed for. There are different kinds of designing techniques. Some of them are Filigree, Meena and Kundan works. Filigree work involves minute designing; this work is mostly done on silver. Silver is carved into very thin wires and the design is made by molding the wires. Meena work involves filling the metallic design with different colours. This renowned design is famous from the Rajasthan. Kundan work is made out of precious stones and joined by gold or silver. This work is so famed that it is being made by oxidized metals and false stones and is a trendsetter since ages.
The benefits of online jewellery shopping not only limited to cost saving and time saving factors but it is also a convenient mode that carries different attractive offers and discounts that is quite important while shopping for a jewelry. Moreover, some sites on internet are selling jewelries for general public and for dealers that increases the choice for buyers to look out for best deal.
Author: Monty Alexander
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January 28th, 2009 -- Posted in Indian Jewellery |
Indian Bridal Wear is elegant, rich and beautiful. Read on to find out more about Indian Bridal Wear…
A thin aerial veil is drawn o’er beauty’s face, seeming to hide, more sweetly shows the blushing bride. ~ Richard Crashaw
A traditional Indian wedding is a vibrant and elaborate affair with the blushing bride being the cynosure of the ceremony. The Indian bride has a variety of Indian bridal wear options to shimmer, sparkle and glow as she drapes herself in the choicest of embroidered fabrics and elegant jewels. Although conventionally Indian wear is synonymous with the Sari, the Ghagra Choli, Lehenga and the Salwar Kameez, most of the people outside India do not know of the humungous choices available in each category. India being a country with diverse religions and cultures, every religion, culture or region boasts of a unique wedding style replete with their regional specialties and diverse rituals.
Traditional Indian Bridal Wear
Since India is home to a large number of cultures and religions, it might be impossible to list down the bridal wear variations in every religion and the following sub-sections. Here are some of the popular Indian bridal wear styles existing in prominent sections and cultures of the rich Indian heritage:
The Punjabi Bride: The traditional bride in Punjab can wear either a sari or a Lehenga. The colors that are generally worn are vibrant colors like red, orange or magenta. The sari or the lehenga is heavily embroidered with phulkari work which involves use of darn stitch on the wrong side of a coarse cotton cloth with colored silken threads. Although many interesting patterns of phulkari work can be seen, traditionally motifs of wheat and barely stalks with ears were seen commonly. Usually, the bride wears gold jewelry. Another characteristic feature of traditional Punjabibridal attire is the chuda that is a set of red and cream ivory bangles.
The Maharashtrian Bride : Owing to the fact that the green color is considered as auspicious and also a sign of prosperity in the state of Maharashtra, the bride is usually draped in a green sari with traditional zari embroidery which involves fine gold or silver threads woven into fabrics. The Paithani is perhaps the most popular sari in Maharashtra named after the Paithan region in the state where these saris are woven by hand. Made with the finest silk, the paithani, is characterised by borders of an oblique square design, and a pallu with a peacock design. Also famous is the Nauvari sari which is a sari that is nine-yards in length. Although the Nauvari style originated in the era of the Maratha empire, where women ventured into the battlefields in crucial times of war, the Nauvari sari is a popular form of trousseau in Maharashtra till date. Usually the jewelry includes gold ornaments with pearls. The bride also wears the famous nath which is a pearl crusted nose ring.
The Bengali Bride: The traditional Bengali bride is draped in a Benarasi sari with a wide zari border and a red cheli or veil on her head. The bride wear an attractive headgear called sholar mukut which is a crown carved out of bark of a tree. The bride’s forehead is adorned with interesting motifs made with sandalwood paste. The bride wears traditional heavy gold jewellery and her head is covered with a dupatta. Traditionally, the bride wears three types of bangles namely shankha (conch shell bangle), Pala (lacquer bangle), and loha (iron bangle).
The Muslim Bride: The Muslim brides are always dressed in cherry red bridal robes. The Lehenga or the Salwar Kameez is heavily embroidered usually with golden work. Silk is generally the fabric of choice in traditional Muslim bridal attire. The bride’s head is always covered with a Ghungat that covers not just the head but also the shoulders, back and comes down almost to the waistline
The Catholic Bride:The Indian catholic bride is no different than catholic brides across the globe. White is the color of choice since it symbolizes purity. The traditional catholic bride wears a traditional bridal gown with a delicate veil.
The Tamilian Bride: In Tamilnadu the bride is draped in a red or maroon sari. The Kanjeevaram sari is a very popular type of sari that is created in a small town of Kanchi in Tamilnadu. The traditional bride in Tamil Nadu adorns her hair with fresh orange and white flowers. In addition to the other common jewelry, the bride traditionally wears traditional jewelry like Raakudi which is worn in the hair and the Oddiannam which is a type of ornamental belt.
Contemporary Indian Bridal Wear
Although traditional bridal attire continues to be popular with Indian brides, many of the brides are always keen on trying out more contemporary or even designer bridal wear for their wedding day. The traditional Kanjeevaram sari , Painthani sari do exist, but they have been upgraded with more contemporary designs and motifs. Traditional saris are now made available with more options in terms of the colors as well as the embroidery patterns. Geometrical patterns, abstracts are finding a place in Indian bridal wear as well. The traditional ghagra choli is also now available with more modern patterns and cuts. The traditional Indian bridal wear has now evolved to encompass the more contemporary fashion trends across the globe.
Contemporary Bridal Sari: The contemporary bridal saris that are available today, retain the elegance of the traditional look and yet manage to add a streak of modern fashion trends with interesting variations. The traditional blouse worn with the sari had traveled beyond the puffed sleeves to include interesting noodle straps, fashionable necklines, and heavy embroidery. The Indian brides have also come up with more modern draping patterns for the sari. The Indian bride is now experimenting with more contemporary colors that were once perceived as rather unconventional. Blushing pinks, marine colors, cool pastel shades, earth colors are now becoming a part of the bridal trousseau.
Contemporary Lehengas and Ghagra Choli: Just like the sari the Lehenga has evolved in this era of fashion and style. The regular lehenga or the ghagra which was like a flared long skirt, is now being experimented with. The Indian bridal wear options now include pleated, embroidered and even fish cut lehengas . The Dupatta or the chunari which is an integral part of the Indian bridal wear is now available in more fabrics and more contemporary embroideries, dyes, and even handwork. The choli as mentioned earlier has gone uber cool with sleeve-less, strapless, narrow-strapped, or noodle strap varieties.
What’s Hot in Contemporary Indian Bridal Wear
Colors: Although the Indian bridal wear has traditionally been limited to a few colors the Indian brides are increasingly experimenting with more unconventional colors. For those who prefer the traditional colors, there is an option to have an ensemble that blends a traditional color with another to create a balanced look. Rust color, metallic shades with golden or silver tints can make a trousseau look elegant and rich. The more unconventional colors are also in vogue. Earth colors, pastel shades, or the more unconventional lavender, pinks and blues are also in fashion. The key is to maintain the traditional elegance with a streak of modern flamboyance.
Fabrics: Although the traditional silk still remains to be the fabric of choice for most Indian bridal wear, there is now a wide variety of silks like metallic silk and crepe silk. If you are ready to look beyond the silk, you can pick from a wide variety of contemporary fabrics ranging from the crepe, georgette, or even the exquisite jute varieties. Picking out the fabric largely depends on the style of your wedding ensemble and your personal preference.
Embroidery: The traditional embroidery for Indian bridal wear off course retains the old-world charm but the contemporary embroidery patterns offer to add a modern streak to bridal wear. Modern embroidery patterns range from geometrical shapes, asymmetrical patterns to abstracts. Although many would find it absurd to sport a trousseau that has abstract embroidery over it, you can use these patterns wisely to incorporate them in your traditional look. Expensive crystals, precious and semi precious stones and beads are increasingly used in the Indian bridal wear as well.
Accessories: The Contemporary Indian bridal wear is chic and smart replete with all the right fashion accessories. The traditional heavy golden jewelry is replaced with more elegant gold designs. Diamonds, rubies and other precious stones encrusted in white gold or platinum have become increasingly popular with the brides. The Indian bridal wear is now complemented with interesting fashion accessories be it the jewelry, the sequined clutch bags or even elegant tiaras. The sandals not only match the trousseau in terms of color but also come with fine embroidery and gems. An elegant broach with diamonds, gems or precious stones is another hot bridal accessory.
The traditional Indian bridal wear symbolized the rich ancient culture, but the contemporary Indian bridal wear brings a subtle blend of the new and the old as the Indian bride awaits at the doorsteps of womanhood with elegance, confidence, and mesmerizing beauty.
By Uttara Manohar
Published: 1/9/2008
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