Crystalline Chalcedony Bangle

Rajput Bangles

Shanane Jay on Her Journey Reviving the Rajput Precious Gemstone Bangle

“One of my first obsessions when starting my high-level Indian material culture revival initiatives was to revive the Rajput or Indian precious gemstone bangle. It took six years to get right, countless hours of sourcing the perfect raw materials including Chalcedony, Bloodstone, and Jade, making tools by hand, training and guiding the artisans, trial and error for width and proportion, grading the rough gems, overseeing the quality control—every bit of time and sweat was worth it.”

A Legacy of Craftsmanship

Precious gemstone mediums reached their zenith during the Rajput to Mughal periods, spanning from the 11th to the 19th century. However, by the early 20th century, these exquisite traditions began to decline and ultimately disappeared.

For over a thousand years, precious gemstone bangles crafted from Chalcedony and Nephrite Jade were the preferred adornments of Bharat’s (South Asia’s) female elite. The rise of mass-manufactured glass and molded glass gradually led to the disappearance of this time-honored craft.

An Extraordinary Process

On average, it takes 30 kilograms of rough precious gemstones to produce a single extra fine bangle. The knowledge-intensive process is a true labor of love:

1. Grading the Rough: Identifying the finest quality gemstones.
2. Marking: Using India ink to outline the optimal section.
3. Cutting: Employing a rough uncut diamond, affixed to a wooden stick with lac, to carefully break the bangle interior.
4. Hollowing: Clearing out the rough to shape the center.
5. Shaping: Meticulously crafting the bangle.
6. Polishing: Refining and finishing the bangle to perfection.

Available in Three Stunning Varieties
Purplish Grey

• Crystalline – US$1,920
• Translucent – US$480
• Solid – US$198