An ensemble of flashy beads, tribal jewellery and classy lac bangles make an ethnic fashion statement at the ‘Jewels Expo 2011' that got under way at the Poompuhar showroom on Anna Salai here on Monday.
If strings of beads and semi-precious stones are a regular affair, their flashy colours are certainly a new addition. Strings of beads in aquamarine, turquoise, peach and pale yellow that are bunched together are priced between Rs.250 to Rs.500.
Temple jewellery, a timeless attraction, comes at a nominal price at the exhibition. The antique-looking jewellery sets are embellished with semi-precious stones and artificial pearls that offer a vintage look. Lac bangles, a sure feature in every exhibition, come in newer shades and intricate designs. “We design the bangles using our nails. The time involved in making each bangle varies from five minutes to an hour, depending on the intricacy of the motifs,” said Ganapat Lal, a lac bangle-maker from Rajasthan.
Gold-plated jewellery and those that are made of one-gram gold come in chunky sizes to suit wedding attires. In tune with the fashion market, chokers made of wooden beads and metal bracelets that are categorised as tribal accessories are designed in earthy brown, black and beige. There are handmade hair clips designed with marble dust and bangles made of colourful silk threads.
Multi-chamber jewellery boxes that are of a small notebook size magically offer space for bunches of necklaces, dozen bangles and earring, bracelets, and even a separate chamber for stone-studded jewellery. Corals, rudraksha and crystals complete the exhibit.
A 10 per cent discount is being offered on the exhibits. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. till February 4.
