FAQs
FAQs
General Questions
Royal Karkhana is a luxury artisan house specializing in handcrafted jewellery, textiles, and mastercrafts that honour the rich traditions of Ancient South and South-East Asian Metallurgy, Gem Processing, Textile Weaving and the Aesthetic Principles of Traditional Asian Art. Rooted in Animist, Hindu, and Buddhist spirituality, our creations are guided by Spirituality and the Shilpa Shastras (Rules of Art).
We were inspired in India, where we collaborate with master artisans, ethical miners, and skilled craftspeople. But now are a close partner-based structure out of Australia, India, The Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia. Our pieces are available for purchase globally.
Royal Karkhana stands apart for our dedication to:
- Ethically sourced, untreated gemstones from regenerative mining
- Rare, handcrafted techniques such as Kundan, Zardozi, Panchdhatu metallurgy, hand cut and sculpted gemstones and natural Golden Silk textiles
- A deep cultural and spiritual connection to South and Southeast Asian history and traditions
- Exclusive sourcing and production rights, including the Lost Two Kilo Mine Black Spinel
Gemstones & Materials
Yes. Only about 2% of gemstones on the global market are gem-quality without artificial enhancement, and we exclusively work with these rare untreated stones. Each gemstone is carefully sourced and graded by our in-house gemologist with over 30 years of experience.
Our gemstones are sourced primarily from South and Southeast Asia, with direct partnerships with miners to ensure ethical practices. For example, our Black Spinel is exclusively single sourced from the Lost Two Kilo Mine in The Kingdom of Thailand, where we have a direct processing and marketing contract.
Yes. All our gemstones come with an Authenticity Certificate, confirming their authenticity, origin, variety, quality, size, and untreated nature. The certification is conducted by our in-house expert with over 30 years of experience in mining and gemstone grading.
Panchdhatu is an ancient five-metal alloy used in Hindu and Buddhist traditions for its spiritual, medicinal, and astrological benefits. Considered the “Metal of the Gods amongst Men” Panchdhatu is crafted using precise techniques detailed in ancient Sanskrit Treaties and the Shilpa Shastras.
Our exclusive Black Spinel grading system is based on saturation, luster, and surface quality as internal inclusions do not affect the quality of Black Spinel.
- Siyah Black – Deep, luminous black with an intense luster, resembling Indian lamp black
- Reshmi Black – Silky, saturated black with a soft glow
- Chandani Black – Jet black with a smooth appearance and slight natural textures
Craftsmanship & Design
Our Crystalline Gemstone Bangles are cut from a single piece of high-quality gemstone rough, an exceptionally difficult process requiring master craftsmanship. When additional gemstones are added, we use the Kundan technique, a historic setting method developed in the Rajput courts.
The Animist Alchemist Collection is inspired by sacred symbols, ancient metallurgy, and natural elements believed to hold spiritual significance. Each piece embodies the belief that materials possess life and energy and can be transformed into powerful talismans.
This special, limited, one-of-a-kind jewel collection incorporates rare natural Golden Silk Pheach Brocade, natural untreated precious Black Spinel gemstones, Heritage Panchdhatu metal settings, and 21kt gold and silver Zardozi, taking over two months to complete each masterpiece using rare proprietary royal textile and jewel smith processes.
Orders & Shipping
Yes, we ship internationally, all orders are insured and shipped with secure, trackable services.
For bespoke commissions, please contact us directly via our website. We will work with you to create a piece that aligns with your vision, using our unique materials and artisan techniques.
We offer secure payment gateways, including major credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency options for high-value purchases.
Due to the rare and bespoke nature of our pieces, all sales are final. However, we offer adjustments and repairs where possible. Please contact us with any concerns.
Patronage Path
A New Era of Patronage
Royal Karkhana revives the sacred bond between artisan and patron — not merely as a transaction, but as a shared act of preservation, stewardship, and devotion. This is a path not walked by many but by those who understand that heritage must be lived, not just remembered.
Through a carefully structured and limited-tier subscription model, we invite you to stand beside our master artisans, support cultural continuity, and receive tokens of deep meaning and unmatched craftsmanship.
Why Join?
Because heritage is not static — it is kept alive through devotion, education, and collective care. Your patronage ensures the survival of rare materials, ancient techniques, and the skilled hands who bring them to life.
This is more than access.
It is an initiation into a living legacy.
Membership is by invitation or application. If you are interested, please consider a tier below and submit the application form.
What are the Royal Karkhana Patron Tiers?
1. The Observant — Seeker of Forms
Subscription: $8.10/month
Availability: Open
Who is this for?
This is the entry point for those newly discovering the world of connoisseurship and authentic luxury rooted in material culture. Ideal for curious minds who wish to observe and learn before stepping deeper.
What’s included?
- Bi-monthly issue of The Darbari Bahi (our refined newsletter)
- PDF monographs on select materials, artisans, and heritage processes
- Invitations to digital lectures and select public events
- Access to rare product releases (after higher-tier patrons)
2. The Initiate — Bearer of the Artisans’ Flame
Subscription: $92/month
Availability: Limited to 800 Patrons
Who is this for?
For the discerning connoisseur dedicated to supporting the survival of endangered craft traditions and receiving handcrafted tokens of cultural significance.
What’s included?
Everything in The Observant, plus:
- Priority early access to rare product releases
- Digital + physical monographs or collectible posters (every 6 months)
- Private video interviews and artisan process films
- Exclusive tangible gifts every 6 months (e.g., charms, material samples, ceremonial tokens)
- Eligibility for bespoke commissions
- Application-only entry to The Connoisseur’s Circle Gatherings, held annually at exclusive global venues
3. The Custodian — Become a Legacy Guardian
Subscription: $1,008/month
Availability: Limited to 90 Patrons
Who is this for?
Reserved for serious collectors and socially conscious individuals who understand the sacred responsibility of preserving rare arts and cultural heritage.
What’s included?
Everything in The Initiate, plus:
- First-edition access to all new Royal Karkhana masterworks
- Private previews before any public product launch
- Annual heirloom-level Masterpiece gift, created exclusively for Custodians
- Archival-backed bespoke commissions
- Studio visits (by appointment) to the Royal Karkhana atelier
- Formal invitation to The Connoisseur’s Circle Gatherings each year
- Your name recorded in the Royal Karkhana Bahi (patronage ledger), documenting every item you acquire or are gifted — a legacy for future generations
- Optional acknowledgment in The Darbari Bahi and selected press announcements
Cultural & Spiritual Significance
The Animist symbol is an ancient symbol found in Animist, Hindu, Norse, and Middle Eastern traditions, believed to connect the wearer to the life and power of nature, and when combined with a Nazar to protect the wearer from the evil eye and negative energies. Our Maya Nazar Pendant combines this protective Animist talisman with Nazar and the concept of Maya (illusion) and spiritual perception.
In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, Maya represents the illusion of the material world, reminding us to seek deeper truths. Many of our pieces reflect this concept through symbolic gemstones and sacred iconography.
Najananda is the state of balance between the physical and spiritual worlds. Our designs inspired by this concept feature materials and symbols that harmonize earthly beauty with higher consciousness.
