Unveiling the Artistry of Adornment

Lac jewelry is a stunning traditional craft which dates back to the royal age of Rajasthan. This gorgeous piece of jewelry composed of lac has a long history dating back to the fabled Lakshagriha palace, which was built roughly 4000 years ago by the Kauravas in an attempt to defeat the Pandavas.

In Indian tradition, lac jewelry has been valued as a symbol of purity and good fortune. The craft is carried out by a small community of trained artists who perform exquisite handwork. Melting, rolling, adding vivid colors, and shaping the lac into lovely pieces are all steps in the process. The simple piece of jewelry is then embellished with beads, imitation pearls, and cubic zirconia stones, creating stunning accessories that enhance the charm of ethnic outfit. 

Lac jewelry is the ideal accent to any outfit due to its light weight, vivid shades of colors, and delicate shine that adds a lively touch to traditional ensembles. In Rajasthani culture, married women are expected to wear metal bangles lined with lac on the inside, even if they are made of gold. While lac jewelry is beautiful, it is also delicate. Care must be taken to avoid applying too much pressure, as excessive force can bend or break these lovely pieces. 

The production of lac jewelry involves raising the lac insect, Caria lakka, which feeds on trees like Dhaka, Plum, and Safflower. The Vedas refer to this insect as Laksh Taru, or the lacquer tree, and the Atharva Veda describes its natural habitat and utility. Tradition holds that a community of artisans known as Lakheda was established during Shiva and Parvati's marriage specifically to make bangles for Parvati. The Lakhera or Laheri community has been committed to the art of lac bangle making in India for generations.

The rich legacy of this fine workmanship is preserved by the traditional handcrafted ethnic jewelry from West Rajasthan, which is manufactured using age-old traditions that have been passed down through generations of artists.

This material is expertly sculpted into a range of exquisite jewelry items and is created by the lac insect that is abundant in Rajasthani woodlands. With Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh leading the way in production, India supplies 60–70% of the world's lac supply, making it a significant player in the global lac industry.