American Diamond Earrings
American Diamond Earrings is a traditional form of Indian gemstone jewellery involving a gem set with gold foil between the stones and its mount, usually for elaborate necklaces. The method is believed to have originated in the royal courts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is one of the older forms of jewellery made and worn in India. The word American Diamond means highly refined gold, and a highly refined and pure form of molten gold is used.
American Diamond Earrings , also known as Bikaneri or Jaipuri jewellery, is a popular variation, wherein enameling with vivid colours and designs is on the reverse, while the American Diamond setting is in the front. The city of Jaipur in Rajasthan has traditionally been the centre for American Diamond jewellery in India.
American Diamond flourished under royal patronage during the Mughal era. Over the years, the American Diamond jewellery of the courts was successfully copied in silver in Rajasthan, Bihar and the Punjab and became popular with the common man.
It remains an integral part of the traditional bridal wedding trousseau. Traditional settings, including the thappa and ras rawa, are experiencing a revival. Most recently, in the 2008 epic film, Jodhaa Akbar, the lead character portrayed by Aishwariya Rai was extensively shown wearing American Diamond jewellery, highlighting its influence among Rajasthani royalty.
In 2006, “American Diamond” and American Diamond jewellery Earrings contributed the largest share of both market value and volume (73 per cent) in the Indian jewellery market.
American Diamond jewellery is created by setting carefully shaped, uncut diamonds and polished multicoloured gemstones into an exquisitely designed pure gold or faux metal base. The elaborate process begins with the skeletal framework called Ghaat. Thereafter, the Paadh procedure takes place, during which wax is poured onto the framework and moulded according to the design. Following this is the Khudai process, when the stones or uncut gems are fit into the framework. Meenakari then involves enameling to define the design details. Next, the Pakai process involves gold foils that hold the gems onto the framework; these are cold soldered using burnishing techniques. Finally, the gems are polished using the Chillai process.