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In the world of fashion and design, old trends tend to come over again and
again, though with slight changes. Pachchikam jewelry making craft is one of the
examples of jewelry that has come back once again. Originated in Gujarat and
Kutch, centuries ago, Pachchikam jewelry has again become popular and now, is
very much in fashion. Many contemporary designers are today inspired by the art
of Pachchikam jewelry and they are leading the way for further development in
the art.
In comparison with Kundan work, Pachchikam has crude look and is pretty fragile.
Major USP of Pachchikam is that instead of using gold for jewelry making, it
makes use of silver and is thus, quite affordable. One of the reason for opting
for silver as the base metal is that it is highly malleable and it closely
resembles platinum, a precious metal. Pachchikam jewelry is quite flashy and can
be worn on formal occasions. The process of making Pachchikam jewelry is also
quite complicated
In this case, the stone is inserted in a silver case, the edge of which is
pressed onto the stone with the finger and then grooves are filed on it. A
closer look shows a setting, which is crude in its execution, but it is in this
quality that its aesthetical charm lies, making connoisseurs of beauty
appreciate it. The workmanship involves a very laborious process, which is time
consuming and tedious. Uncut semi-precious stones and glasswork are significant
products used in making of Pachchikam jewelry.
The art is still kept in by families in Kutch and Gujarat, where it has been
handed down from generations. The major hindrance in the growth of Pachchikam is
that it cannot be produced on a mass scale. The craftsmen are highly
conservative, not willing to change according to the needs and demands of time.
They are not open to change in technical developments and are not experimenting
with new trends and patterns. This regressive attitude, despite the fact that it
has huge potential, is harming the over all growth of Pachchikam jewelry art and
industry.
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