It was around 5,000 years in the ancient past that the need for decoration of human bodies conceptualized the art of jewellery making in India. India has been a country that has been famous for its beads, gems and precious stones and it has attracted the Indian traders and the foreigners alike for the same. For the rulers, jewels were a statement of power, prosperity and prestige. But for the Indian woman, jewellery was and is, even today in many parts considered as a security, the value of which will almost always accentuate, never depreciate. However, progressing through time and history, Indian jewellery apart from just being a craft, has evolved into something even more - an art, both in design and workmanship. This art has grown and has even become famous all over the world due to the variety of jewellery made by the jewellery makers.

Jewellery in its every form, be it Gold, diamonds, silver, sterling silver, precious stones and semi-precious stones is a rage all over the world. Nose rings, earrings, bracelets, crowns, rings, anklets, amulets and necklaces, in any metal and styles can be found in India. The range of jewellery in India varies from religious to purely aesthetic types. Jewellery is crafted not only for humans but also for the Gods. Different regions of India have unique jewelry making styles. In Orissa and Andhra Pradesh fine filigree work in silver, in Jaipur the delicate art of enameling or meenakari, the temple jewellery of Nagercoil and, Kundan or the setting of semi-precious or precious stones in gold from Delhi are now famous the world over. The wide variety of silver beads found all over India, especially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh are also well known. A few of the famous jewellery making arts are given below as follows:

Temple Jewellery

Classical and traditional in its appearance, temple jewellery is commonly associated with dancers practicing the dance form of Bharatanatyam or Kuchipudi. Temple jewellery is characterised by some of the finest handwork, painfully crafted by skilled craftsmen and jewelers consisting of traditional gold ornaments studded with red and green semi-precious stones offered to the Gods. From earrings to necklaces to pieces for adorning the hair, feet, hip and even the plait, the temple jewellery is surely an enviable possession. However, these are very expensive and it is due to the making charges, which itself is almost one-third of the total cost of the jewellery. Even today, only certain craftsmen, who have to follow stringent requirements during the course of making it, make the original temple jewellery.

Antique Jewellery

Antique Jewellery relates to the present trend and is in reality considered more of fancy jewellery. Antique jewellery is actually the modern day jewellery in gold or silver, which goes through a process of oxidising and is sometimes buried in a pot of clay, to give it a dull look.

Minakari Jewellery

The Minakari and Kundan styles of jewelry making have been influenced by the Moghul dynasty. Minakari refers to enameling a unique combination of gems, enamel pigments and precious stones and these are usually used in combination to make jewellery pieces that can be worn as chokers and necklaces. Moreover, this art was expanded to the making of the imperial thrones as well. The motifs used in this art were flowers, plants, scrolling vines and animal forms, amongst others. Minakari jewellery is sought after more, by people in North India.

Apart from these few types, there is a whole lot of range of the modern or contemporary jewellery made in India, which have already spread far and wide across the globe. Given here, is an insight on the matchless styles and modern designs in the forms of Indian jewellery that will surely take your breath away!

History of Jewellery
The ancient jewellery have a very historical significance since it allows us to trace back the past events of the Indian history and it also proves as a basis for the modern day jewellery makers to come up with their creations keeping in mind the fine and artistic work of those times. Let us go back in time and take a glimpse of the jewellery made in India, right from the prehistoric times, till the post independence, modern period.

South Indian Jewellery
At its simplest level, south Indian jewellery imitates forms found in nature. Chased gold is made to imitate the rudraksha bead sacred to the god Shiva, elements of necklaces may copy cut grass stalks, lotus buds, garlic bulbs or lentils as well as flowers. The naga ear ornaments are a mixture of formally arranged geometric elements, the squares grouped together at the front of the circular base, and a naturalistic cobra-hood, which develops, bizarrely, into a bat-like creature with fangs. This kind of jewellery is not easily accessible to those outside the culture that produces it.

Indian Costume Jewellery
Indian costume jewellery has the advantage of being trendy while being affordable for most people. It is also not restricted by the metal used. Manufacturers use all materials, ranging from plastic and glass to white metal, cheaper alloys and fabric. India has been a major manufacturer and exporter of costume jewelry in recent years. Since the main cost of production for costume jewellery is the skill and labour involved, manufacturing in India is very cost-effective. As a result, even exported goods are priced more competitively.

Types of Jewellery
The jewellery designers of today are trying their best to discover materials that can be used in making jewellery. Though the earliest forms of jewellery were derived from bones, today there is a long list of materials available that are used in making innovative and beautiful items of jewellery.