The Traditional Art of Making Lac Jewellery

Rajasthan in western India is home to several ancient and traditional Handcraft forms. 

The making of Lac jewellery is also one such Handcraft tradition that has been handed down the ages.

These exquisite pieces are made all over the state and it is known that this art form was initially developed by the Tribal people of the state. 

The many small lanes and bylanes in the pink city of Jaipur are home to several traditional lac artisans. Each one of them have tremendous skill and carry forward age old craft traditions. 

 Lac jewelry is available in versatile designs, which add to its beauty. Among the various items in lac jewelry, the bangles have always found a special mention and have been a tremendous source of attraction.  Bangles made of Lac are bright in colour and glass work done on them makes them very very attractive. 

Artians have today taken a step forward and are not only making bangles but also Neckpieces, Earings, Jhumkas, Bracelets, Anklets etc. 

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The process of making lac jewelry is complex. Glass beads and pieces of mirror in different shapes and sizes and decorative wire are also used to add beauty to these pieces of jewellery.  

All lac Jewellery 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 piece . The Dry ingredients are heated, mixed  and hammered  repeatedly until a dough like mass is formed. 

Once this mass is heated, the lac expands further and can be worked into any desired shape and size. Further, a tool (flat-shaped) is used to roll the piece on a flat surface to give it uniformity and the right amount of thickness in the desired shape. 

In some cases where the designs are simple  the lac is moulded by hand and in other cases where designs are more complex metal moulds are kept ready for each unique design. 

In case moulds are used 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.

As part of the finishing process, Rhinestones are pressed in and set in the wax at the required places. The final work involves attaching beads and and sequins to complete the piece. 

Each piece of jewellery takes a few days to make with Great precision and skill. 

Visit 

http://www.bannacreations.com/lac-jewellery/192

To take a look at some beautiful pieces of lac Jewellery