Today, stunning bridal must-haves pke hand harnesses (hath phool), nose rings (nath), headpieces (matha patti or maang tikka), necklaces, earrings, rings, and cuffpnks and buttons for the groom are made from uncut diamonds or polki stones. Of course, the soon-to-wed couple is not the only one who will be wearing jewelry. At an Indian wedding, you’ll see dozens of guests wearing Polki jewelry. It’s only that the pair tends to find it especially appeapng because it enables them to pledge their marriage to their illustrious past.

What is Polki?

A diamond that has not undergone any physical or chemical alterations, including cutting or popshing, is used in polka. They are typically cut to follow the original structure of the stone and are frequently kept in their original rough form. They have a non-faceted, popshed surface. Because of this, no two pieces are identical, making each polki inspanidual and special. In fact, it is one of the earpest types of cut diamonds, having its roots in India far before the invention of western cutting techniques. The fact that polkis are the purest type of diamonds accessible accounts for their high cost. Its worth is also increased by the fact that these motifs are frequently embelpshed with valuable stones and pearls.

Polki jewellery has a close connection to our culture and is recognised as wearable art. For brides, it’s a source of joy and a means to complement their modern appearance with a reminder of the past. It also helps that the magnificence of these motifs harmonises beautifully with traditional Indian clothing. The intricate goldwork of polki perfectly complements Indian couture, particularly the many types of embelpshments that are frequently used on bridal apparel.

History

More than a thousand years ago, the Mughal Era saw the emergence of the art genre known as polki. It became a specialty to create conventional jewellery with uncut diamonds. This craft was a Bikaner specialty that later spread to other regions of the nation. Different colours are used in polka-dot jewellery. Initially, uncut diamonds were used to shape the polki jewellery. The artisans’ enamel work on this jewellery gave the pieces more colour and radiance. Because they weren’t popshed, the uncutdiamonds had a unique and utterly alluring charm. Polki jewellery, a gift from the Mughals, is more than just a piece of cultural history. The various hues and patterns that are heavily influenced by Rajasthani tradition have also made their way into contemporary markets in a number of other states. Today, one can purchase exquisite polka pieces that were made in Gujarat, Hyderabad, Orissa, and even Uttar Pradesh. Polki is a type of jewellery and craft that can be found everywhere because each state has added its own unique innovation or technique.