Latest India silver jewelry mostly handcrafted, stone-adorned

Handmade stone-studded pieces dominate India's selection of silver jewelry. Leveraging a large pool of skilled artisans, suppliers are launching mostly manually crafted models that depict native culture and architecture. Designs are done through various techniques, including wire twisting, beading, braiding, cutwork, filigree, embossing and painting.

The majority of releases are embellished with precious and semiprecious stones. Black onyx, garnet, topaz, turquoise, amethyst, ruby, moonstone, larimar and labradorite are popular options. These are often cut-and-polished or rough-and-uncut. Round, oval, almond and rectangle are the common shapes. Most come in bezel and prong settings. Stones in irregular cuts are gaining ground as well.

M/S Shivam Arts uses more than 400 types of semiprecious stones. Charm necklace is the company's most popular category. Patterns are hammered, embossed or in cutwork. Rana Silver & Arts, meanwhile, offers jewerly decorated with pearls and Swarovski crystals.

Fusion pieces that combine modern styles with ethnic craftwork are likewise drawing attention. Examples are models adorned with geometric stones and traditional India artwork. Pearl India International Inc. boasts such designs. Nearly 90 percent of the supplier's releases are handcrafted. The models are nickel-, lead- and cadmium-free.

Shri Ashapura's selection consists of rings, pendants, necklaces, jhumkis, bracelets and anklets made of 925 sterling silver. Patterns are in filigree, and wire-, bead- and rava-work.

Earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings and sets are the prevailing categories. The first are mainly offered in hoop and drop styles with one to three strands and single or double stone studs. Necklaces have long chains with one to three layers embellished with stones. Rings may be in single band or spirals with one to three stones. Many pendants feature a gemstone centerpiece with a plain or artwork border. Bracelets come in single strand styles with a long chain and plain ornamentation.

Most India-made silver jewelry are buffed and polished to achieve a shiny appearance. High-end pieces are often rhodium or rose gold-plated. Oxidization, meanwhile, is done to impart an antique and ethnic feel.

Low-end models consists of rings, pendants and stud earrings decorated with single or double rough-and-uncut garnet, apalite,rose quartz, lapis lazuli, onyx or synthetic stones. These come in buffed, polished or oxidized finish and weigh 2 to 5g. Prices are $3 to $10.

Drop earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings and necklaces adorned with rainbow moonstone, amethyst, labradorite, pearl and kunzite comprise the midrange segment. Pieces may have three to four stones and artwork borders. Product weight is 6 to 10g. Polished gold or silver plating and oxidation are the common finishes. Releases are quoted at $10.50 to $20.

High-end silver jewelry is made up of necklaces, bracelets and sets with chalcedony, citrine, kyanite, ruby, prehnite, larimar and crystal embellishments. The borders have heavy artwork. Models are rhodium- or gold-plated and weigh 10 to 50g. Products start at $20.50 and can exceed $50.

View a comparison table of silver jewelry suppliers on GlobalSources.com