Jaipur, India: The Jewelry Power of the Pink City

In 2015, the GIA team visited Jaipur, India, covering the entire spectrum of the gems and jewelry industry: colored stone cutting, design, manufacturing and retail. The authors examined the current state of the industry from both a production and business perspective.

INTRODUCTION

Along the route from mining to marketing of colored gemstones, there are large trading centers where raw materials are imported for cutting and then exported as finished stones. Each of them has its own characteristics and problems. Some of the colored stone production centers are in China, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. In 2015, the authors of the article visited Jaipur (India).

The team spent 10 days in Jaipur, visiting many jewelry companies. Many of them were family businesses, and we were able to interview several generations.

The significant impression was the combination of modern and traditional in Jaipur. Modern mass production is complemented by handicrafts by individual artisans using centuries-old techniques.

India

In any major Indian city one can feel the energy of ambitious, growing economic power. At every socio-economic level there is a distinct entrepreneurial drive and competitive spirit. With a population of about 1.3 billion, India is the world's second most populous country and is projected to overtake China in 2022.

Despite its rich history and traditions, India is a relatively new country. It gained independence from Britain in 1947 and became a republic in 1950. In the late 1980s, India began to open up to economic reforms, trade and foreign investment. The most widely spoken language is Hindi, but there are 14 other official languages in the country. While English is a secondary official language, it is the most important for international trade.

Navaratna: how to wear it correctly?

How to wear navaratna jewelry correctly? Your personal jyotishi astrologer should explain this to you. He will draw up a natal chart (the location of the planets at the time of your birth), see all the levels of karma and say that he needs special attention. After all, a person is imprisoned in the wheel of Samsara until he reaches a certain height of spirit (sattva).

Navaratna ring set - an interesting version of the nine treasures

If you have not found your astrologer, you can use the classic version of the navaratna ring or purchase a pendant of the same shape. But the stones must be natural! If glass imitations are used instead of navaratna 9 treasures, they are of no use.

Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India. Rajasthan has long been renowned as a strategic economic region due to its location on the trade route from China to Europe. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The buildings of the old city were painted pink, the traditional color of hospitality, to welcome Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales in 1876, and Jaipur is still known as the Pink City. This is a popular tourist spot.

JEWELRY INDUSTRY IN JAIPUR

Almost from the moment of its creation, Jaipur became a city for skilled artisans, who were attracted from all over the region by Jai Singh II. Among these craftsmen were jewelers and stonemasons under the patronage of the maharajas. Small workshops still operate at the bazaar. Jaipur combines tradition and modern business, making the city a leading center for cutting and trading of colored stones, as well as jewelry making.

Determining the total number of people working in Jaipur in the jewelry industry is difficult. This sector includes urban gem cutting and jewelry factories, as well as a large cottage industry where families and households work on a contract basis. Estimates put the figure at over 200,000, with some reports putting it closer to 300,000.