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Lac jewelry, also known as lacquer jewelry, originated in Rajasthan and has
gained considerable popularity in India today. Lac jewelry is available in
versatile designs, which add to its beauty. Among the various items in lac
jewelry, the bangles need a special mention. Bangles made of Lac are of bright
color and glass work done on them makes them more attractive. Rajasthani people
believe that lac bangles bring good omen to those who wear them. They are very
popular in Rajasthan and lately are being made in other parts of country too.
This prominent craft of Rajasthan was initially developed by tribal people of
the state. Once the craft of tribal people, lacquer jewelry is now rage of urban
India. The accessories made of lac attract everyone for obvious reasons. Some of
the major accessories included in lac jewelry, like Bala, Bajuband, Rakhi, Jod,
Gajra, Gokhru, Timaniyan, are extremely popular. A good chunk of the jewelry is
exported to outside world, which in turn provides more employment and inspires
improvisation in design and pattern of jewelry.
The process of making lac jewelry is complex. Glass beads, flower shaped mirrors
and decorative wire are also used for the enhancement of beauty of the jewelry.
The bangles of lac consist of an inner-core that has a covering of thin layer of
superior quality lac. Core lac, when mixed with a material similar to white
clay, strengthens the bangle. The heating, mixing, kneading, and hammer pounding
of the parched ingredients takes place repeatedly and dough like mass is formed.
Once this mass is heated, it is shaped further and the expansion of the lac
takes place in lieu of bargained diameter. This results in thickening of bangle.
Further, a tool (flat-shaped) is used to roll the bangle across the flat
surface, which gives it a proper thickness. The shaping is done by suppressing
the length of lac into grooves (colored) on every side of the mould. The lac
takes the shape of the groove into which it is forced. This process, which
requires great precision, produces the most beautiful pieces of jewelry.
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