TRENDY FASHION..........!!!!!!: Kundan Jewelry is going to become Inn in 2011

Kundan jewellery is one of the most exquisite traditional Pakistani jewelry. The word Kundan itself means ‘Pure gold’ justifying the use of refined gold in designing this jewelry. Though its inception dates back to the Moghul Era, it is still in vogue among the Pakistani masses and even abroad.

The art of designing Kundan jewelry is called Kundankari, which involves a group of expert craftsmen involving chiterias, ghaarias, the goldsmith etc. Initially the jewelry piece is first shaped and then holes are cut for the precious stones to be engraved and then the pieces are enameled. When the stones are to be set, lac is inserted in the back, and is then visible in the front through the holes. The Kundan, i.e. the highly refined gold, is then used to cover the lac and the stone is pushed in it.

At times, more Kundan is layered on to finish the piece to strengthen joints and add to the beauty of the jewelry. This was the traditional way of designing them, until the western techniques of claw setting were introduced. The stones used in the jewelry vary from occasion to occasion and even the regions. The usual stones used in Kundan work include emerald, crystal rock, topaz, amethyst, jade, agate, garnet etc.

These days Kundankari is blended with Meenakari to produce jewelry with stones encrusted on one side and colorfully intricate Meenakari i.e. enameling on the other. This enameling involves fusion of colored minerals such as cobalt oxide for blue and copper oxide for green. The colors used in this enameling are applied in order of the hardness those requiring more heat first and those requiring less heat later.

The commonly worn Kundan ornaments include:

Diamond studded necklace
Jingni
Ticka
Taawez
Hangtaweez
Halqband
Jumka earrings
Bracelets

In earlier days, Kundan jewelry was considered a royal choice and was usually beyond the capacity of commoners. They were treasured in royal households and families. But now they are available at affordable prices and with broadly diverse options to choose from. They are the trendiest ornaments in the market. Brides usually prefer Kundan ornaments including heavy diamond studded necklaces.

Designers these days have started decorating designer sarees with uncut stones embroidered in intricate metal designs. These patterns are referred to as Kundan work and are worn on weddings to amend the Kundan pattern of ornaments. These ornaments coruscate elegantly with ethnic Pakistani clothing.

http://www.fashionpk.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1864&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

dated: 30 dec 2010