THE CENTURIES OLD CRAFT OF - JADAU JEWELLERY

In an attempt to rediscover the exotic jewels from around the country, this one cannot be missed.

Touted to be the personal favourite of Akbars wife... Queen Joddha... this is a rare work of art brought from the region of Gujarat and Rajasthan... this centuries old form of jewellery... has a new found popularity and is quickly catching pace with city chicks too....

JADAU JEWELLERY

Jadau Jewellery forms one of the major examples of high skilled craftsmanship that was brought into India by Mughals. Historically speaking, the tradition of Jadau work has been in practice in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat since the Mughal era.

Jadau jewellery is also called engraved jewellery and is unique and a kind in itself. Considered to be a traditional jewellery of India, it is used in many traditional and auspicious occasions, like marriages and festival celebrations. Though the art was introduced by in India Mughals, Indian craftsmen made it popular by adding their indigenous skills. In Jadau jewellery, precious and semi precious stones, gems, crystals and beads are embedded in gold, which is first melted a bit. When the gold becomes pliable, the stones are set on it with great precision and artistry. After that, it is allowed

to cool down and the stones and gems get fixed on it without any adhesive or carvings. Jadau work is team work, where a group of craftsmen are involved together.

Each craftsman carries out a specific task related to the jewellery creation. The chiterias make the basic design, ghaarias are responsible for engraving and making holes, Meenakari or enamelling is done by the enameller and the goldsmith takes care of the kundan or the gold. These days, Jadau is done on not just jewellery, but also jewellery boxes and delicate showpieces.

Uncut diamonds called polki or vilandi are used as the central stone. Meenakari or art work done at the back of the jewel is purely for beautifying purposes. Highest care and attention is given towards the detail on every piece that the master craftsman creates. The stone setters first set the stone in silver foil, then fuse with a finishing of pure gold.

SNEAK PEEK INTO THE EXOTIC INDIAN ART OF JEWELLRY ...!!

When I first got a taste of new found world of Desi Jewelry, I was taken aback.. LITERALLY!! :P And as I kept reading further, It dawned upon me that what i previously heard and knew was just a tip of the Iceberg.

 Now, the history of Indian jewellery is as old as the history of the country itself. Around 5000 years ago, the desire to adorn themselves aroused in people, leading to the origin of jewellery. Since then, Indian women and jewellery have gone hand in hand. Infact, there is hard to find a woman in India, who does not adore herself with minimum jewellery. In fact, jewellery is considered as security and prestige of women in the country. The attraction for jewellery has been great in India that it is no more a craft than an art.

Apart from its religious significance in almost all indian rituals, you'd be surprised to know that there exist a jewellery for every occasion... NOW AIN'T THAT COOL...!!B-)

So brace yourself ladies here its time you take a dive into the EXOTIC world of Indian Jewellery.....

                                             ANTIQUE INDIAN JEWELLRY

The jewellery which is not in mainstream production and of which the mode of production is no longer popular is known by the name of 'Antique Jewellery.' This kind of jewellery has dull and rough look, combined with an old world-world charm, and this serves as the major USP of such jewellery. It takes you back to yore era, by its unfinished and dull looks.

 

The jewellery pieces in antique jewellery usually belong to a particular period of history, when its popularity was at its peak. In India, you can find antique jewellery in numerous forms, like meenakari, kundan work, and so on. Those pieces of antique jewellery that are extremely rare are usually sold at auctions, in antique stores and curio shops.

They include the jewellery that belongs to the early period of history. It is this rarity of antique jewellery that makes it so appealing. However, at times, jewellery that is furnished in antique pattern is also given the name of antique jewellery. Still, those who really value the rarity and exclusivity of antique jewellery, go for the original pieces




 Antique jewellery embodies the unadulterated jewellery tradition of the country, in the earlier times, concentrating on ethnic motifs and stones, metal and design. The antique jewellery of India is popular not only within its own territorial boundaries, but also finds favour amongst people belonging to UK, USA and other western countries

So the next tym you dismiss something as old fashioned... think twice!!... It may just be your most priced embellishment....!!! ;) 

EARRINGS FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE,,,,.!!

 EARRINGS FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

Having a lotta pretty accessories need not mean it'll look good on everyone. This thing is extremely true when it comes to choosing the right kind of earring for your face. However, Now you need not worry. It's time to flaunt the best accessory! Whatever may be your face type, there is always an earring to compliment your face 

Oval face

You oval face shape girls have it easy. Whether it’s the decision between large chunky in trend earrings or earrings with great length, you can’t go wrong. Your face shape is so adaptable to different earring shapes because if your choice is large earrings, they will add a lot of attention to your ears and hence your soft jawline, creating the illusion that your jawline has more depth. With lengthy earrings, your features become more pronounced as more attention is brought to looking and following the earrings down your jawline

Celebrities - Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Anniston, Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra

Round face

You should wear longer earrings which will add some angle to your face. Angular, long and lean earrings are the best. Dangles, ovals and bold angular studs would also suit your face type.

A pair of pearls, round studded earrings or best of all, long dangly earrings with some fun shapes will help elongate your features.

These earrings have great unique shape, something in trend right now and their length will elongate your face and compliment the round face shape that you have!

Celebrities - Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Preity Zinta

Heart - shaped face 

 Your face is more similar to the oval one, but is narrower below the cheekbones and pointed at the chin with a wider forehead. You should opt for earrings which are wider at the bottom. Ovals and teardrops are the best ones for you. You can also sport the pyramid style earrings for a trendier look. 

 These earrings are a great example of some trendy, chunky earrings you can wear on a night out or even to look great at work. With your face shape, the definition within the earrings will only highlight the unique definition of your face shape. 

You can also go with earrings similar to these ones. They have a little length, measuring any where from 3/4 of an inch to an inch, and the way they’ll gracefully fall down the side of your face will compliment your jawline and cheekbones. These earrings generally tend to rest their way right along the tip of your cheekbone, which is perfect for a heart face shape as that’s where the beginning of the heart shape takes place.

Celebrities - Sohie Dahl, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Rani Mukherjee, Sonakshi Sinha

Square face 

You should opt for earrings which are longer than they are wide. Earrings with curves at the bottom, small circular earrings, large oval shapes are the best for you. 

A pair of square shaped earrings are a great example of something you can work with you features. It even has  that geometrical square shape design which is even better! These squares will compliment you so well.

Hoops are tricky for a lot of people, but with a square face shape, they will add that contrast that will soften your jawline while complimenting it at the same time. Throw your hair up, put on those hoops and watch how well they compliment your features!

Celebrities - Sandra Bullock, Demi Moore, Isabella Rosellini, Amrita Arora, Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor

KNOW YOUR EARRINGS.... THE FIVE MUST HAVES...!! ;)

KNOW YOUR EARRINGS.... THE FIVE MUST HAVES...!! ;)

Earrings are an essential part of decking up. Infact, its one of the first thing that hits our mind when it comes to accessories. So whether it’s a wedding or just another day at the office, you ought to have atleast 5 different kinds of them for every occasion.

Before you know what they are, lets get some basics right

Earrings are of various types to suit the varying requirements of a wearer. However, earrings are available in two basic types - pierced and clip-on, and from there they branch out into a wide variety of shapes and styles. Regardless of the type, modern standard pierced earrings have two primary means of attachment - posts and wires

Here it is. The five must have…..

Stud Earrings

Stud earrings are worn as everyday wear by both women and men.  It needless to say… tops the list…  It is a stylish quick fix that we all go for, in the absence of other earrings. 

Now, the chief characteristic of stud earrings is the appearance of floating on the ear or earlobe without a visible (from the front) point of connection. Studs are invariably constructed on the end of a post, which penetrates straight through the ear. The post is held in place by a removable friction back or clutch. This is useful in preventing the loss of expensive earrings containing precious stones or made of precious metals. 

Hoop Earrings

Hoop earrings, popularly known as 'baali' or 'baliyan' in Hindi are circular or semi-circular in design, and look very similar to a ring. It is one of the most commonly found earring type across India, especially in the rural areas.

 They are often constructed of metal tubing, with a thin wire attachment that penetrates the ear.

A good pair of hoops would actually go down with a number of outfits... whether Indian or western... For a part wear, a hoop with a touch of sparkle can make it a perfect match for a late night party.

Besides, one special type of hoop earring is the 'sleeper earring'. This is a very small continuous piece of (typically) gold wire which essentially hugs the base of the earlobe with the ends connecting in the back. Because their small size makes them comfortable, sleepers are sometimes worn at night to keep an ear piercing from closing.

Dangle Earrings or Jhumkas- Straight from the Bazaars of Barelli   

Dangle earrings called 'jhumka' that Sadhana elaborately describes in one of her popular number, is a quintessential requirement in my list. Nothing beats a beautiful Jhumka when clubbed with a heavy embroidered  saree or chuddidar. Jhumkas are basically designed to flow from the bottoms of the earlobes. 

These are available  in various lengths from a centimeter or two, to jhumkas reaching the shoulders. 

  They are generally attached to the ear by the use of thin wires, which go through the earlobe and connect to themselves in a small hook at the back.  

A variation is the French hook design, which merely hangs from the earlobe without closure, although small plastic retainers are sometimes used on ends of French hooks. Rarely, dangle earrings use the post attachment design.

Slave Earrings

Yet another type of earring is the slave earring. In this a stud is connected by a delicate chain to an ear cuff or a cartilage pierce worn higher on the ear.

This looks extremely ornate and is worn by Indian women on traditional occasions such as wedding. This also helps to divide weight in case of heavy danglers. Slaves are a great way to look aesthetically elegant and sexy. But, given its rareness, its preferable to use it in one of those rare big days. 

Clip-on Earrings

Clip-on earrings have existed longer than any other variety of non-pierced earrings. They are designed with a tension clip that attaches them to the body by pinching the earlobe.  Once extremely popular with American women, they began to fade with the rising popularity of pierced earrings in the 1960s and 1970s, and are now relatively rare.

Easy to handle ... easy to use, it hassle free maintenance makes it a must during travels. It is not only a face saver but also a style statement in times of need.

  So pretty Ladies... this was your chance to know your earrings better...

I bet u must be wondering.. How do i know what suits be best...!!!? stay tuned for more on your

favourite piece of bling...!! ;)

THE QUINTESSENTIAL INDIAN BRIDE....!! ;)

THE QUINTESSENTIAL INDIAN BRIDE....!! ;)

Now, the reason my dear friends for my transformation, from being the prototypical tomboy.. clad in same old jeans and tee that I slept in yesterday night to an admirer of Indian accessories has been largely due to my observations at typical Indian weddings. Needless to say, the great Indian weddings are unmatched in the sheer grandiose with which they are conducted. And kept aside the usual fanfare, the true beauty of the wedding is the Bride. Looking like a goddess from the heavens above, an Indian bride in all her “Shringar” ... is impossible to beat.

With every jewellery exquisite in every glance, the girl in you ought to fall for its bling.

So here is a peek into those neatly crafted, piece of art, that takes your breath away....!! ;)

                              Bridal Jewellery 

An Indian bride is deemed incomplete without her sixteen adornments 

and jewellery forms an essential part of these adornments. On the main 

wedding day, every bride is expected to look her best. To achieve this 

goal, the bride pays special attention towards her wedding attire, 

jewellery, accessories, makeup and hair style. There are a number of 

items in the jewellery which cover, almost all the vital parts of the body. 

These items are specially prepared to compliment the bridal dress. The 

bridal jewellery consists of the following items. 

Maangtika  

                                                                 

It is worn on the forehead by the bride. This is a reason why most of the bridal hair styles bear centre parting. 

This is done in order to accommodate the maangtika. This can be in different shapes and studded with different 

precious and semi precious stones. It usually consists of a string a with a centre piece attached to one end. In 

varied cultures, the form of the maangtika varies. It is even seen as a crown in some regions. 

Necklace 

Necklace is the most eye catchy piece of jewellery, worn by the bride. It comes along with matching ear rings and 

nose piece. Moreover, attention is paid that it complements the colour of your attire and neck line. A choker is 

deemed perfect for such an occasion, coupled with a long necklace. 

Ear Rings 

The ear rings usually match the necklace. You can choose between varieties like long heavy ear rings or short loops, from antique ear rings to small studs, depending upon your wedding outfit's colour and design. 

Nose Ring 

This is another essential jewellery item to be worn by the bride. It is also chosen keeping in mind the colour and 

design of the ear rings. The traditional nose piece is known as 'Nath', which consists of a studded nose ring with 

a long chain hooked up in the hair. In case the nose is not pierced, there are nose studs available, which can be 

temporarily worn by the bride for the ceremony. 

Bangles 

Bangles are the symbol of the nuptial rituals. As a result, the bride wears both gold as well as glass bangles on 

her wedding day. The glass bangles are mostly of the colour of the wedding dress. However, the gold bangles 

are the ones gifted by the mother in law. 

Arm Bands 

Arm bands or armlets enhance the beauty of the bride, elating her grace and elegance. It is a traditional and 

regal jewellery item, which has become quite a fashion statement today. For a more stylish look, they are worn 

only on one arm. 

Rings 

Rings are also vital to the embellishment of the bride. Usually the bride wears a Hath phoolhar in her hands. This 

consists of five rings for all the fingers, connected with a central piece, further connected with a bracelet, to be 

worn in the hand. 

Waist Band 

Waist band is worn on the waist, over the saree or the lehenga. This is a heavy jewellery piece, which is quite 

traditional in look and design. This also serves as a support for the wedding dress and helps to keep in place. An 

artistic waist band can really add up to the grandeur of your wedding ensemble. 

Anklets and Toe Rings 

The bride also wears anklets and toe rings in her feet. These are usually made of silver as gold is not worn in the 

feet. They are available in intricate designs, decorated with works of meenakari, kundan and beads. 

SNEAK PEEK....!! :)

To the gracious netizens who've tumbled their way to my humble abode, the word “ DESI”... Is more than just a word you find in the dictionary.. its an attitude.. an identity you wear throughout your life... reminding you,every moment of your roots...So you dont JUST WEAR IT..... YOU WEAR IT IN STYLE...!!!! ;) ;)
This is my very first blog. When wondering what to blog about, this 24 yr old WWE loving, ass kicking, cricket playing, quintessential tomboyish female had loads of things on her mind. Should I write about 10 BEST WRESTLING MOVES to beat the shit out of your sibling.. or the 15 NASTY CUSSWORDS YOUR PARENTS NEVER THOUGHT YOU KNEW...!!?.  But a blog on Desi fashion accessories, ...!!? That’s gonna hit a lotta my peeps like a Double Decker BEST Bus out of nowhere.
Welcome the new breed of Tomboyish city breed chicks who don’t mince no words about who they are. But being tomboyish in your heart need not mean they are averse to style. And there aint no better way to go about it, than teaming up some of that attitude with some Desi Bling..... !! ;)