Kundan : A speciality of Rajasthan, is work of Kundan, the jewellery in which kundan is applied, mostly made from a core of lac, a natural resin. The pieces which make up the finished object are first shaped by specialised craftsmen (and soldered together if the shape is complicated). Holes are cut for the stones, any engraving or chasing is carried out, and the pieces are enamelled. When the ston
es are to be set, lac is inserted in the back, and is then visible in the front through the holes. Highly refined gold, the kundan, is then used to cover the lac and the stone is pushed into the kundan. More Kundan is applied around the edges to strengthen the setting and give it a neat appearance. This was the only form of setting for stones in gold until claw settings were introduced under the influence of western jewellery in the nineteenth century. The plain yellow gold ornaments has been replaced by more colourful sets. The contemporary and traditional designs has been replaced by oxidised and antique jewellery encrusted with cubic zircons, colourful beads, rubies, pearls, emeralds and other precious gemstones. With the release of movies like DEVDAS and with the introduction of all the 'K' based television serials the demand for all that antique jewellery has been further propelled. Modern Asian jewellery has got a new form recently with the introduction of Kundan and Polki jewellery. Polki is uncut diamonds which give Asian jewellery a 21st century look with a touch of traditional flavour. Thus, with a vast variety of options available in jewellery today, we are not limited to the plain boring yellow gold jewellery anymore. Almost all of the known metals and gemstones can now be used to create a design as per your taste and choice.
