Tribal silver, made by the Rabari was my favourite, and I spent days seeking out the best; earrings, toe rings, pendants, amulets and anklets.
In my past life, in Australia, I was a gold only girl! But why let a silly 'rule' like that stop you from enjoying so much wonderful stuff....I needed to re-ascess!
Since living in India, I've come to know that everything people wear; colour, metal type, design and size all carry a particular significance, and are not worn for decoration alone.
In Vedic culture, gold is never worn below the waist. Gold, a popular choice for earrings and necklaces is believed to enhance the wearer with positive electricity....And silver has properties that re direct that energy back to the body, so silver is used in anklets and bangles to stop that positve electricity from escaping! The proctective qualities are further enhanced by the addition of sound. As the jangle of several bangles worn together or bells on your anklets gives off a warning sign to negative energies present in the atmostphere to keep away.
A babies first gift will be amulets and other adornment to aid their path in life, a woman wears different jewellery after marriage to benefit the new union, and a widowed woman wears little jewellery and is distinguished by wearing pale, pastel colours.
A pendant thats square in shape will aid the wearers material comforts, triangular shapes will highten your sprituality, a nose piercing will make childbirth easier, eases breathing diffulcties or you can donate one if wishing for a girl child!
These are just the tip of the iceberg....but needless to say, a facinating field of study and one that can justify almost any purchase!
I love shopping for genuine Kutchi silver...a quality of silver thats traditionaly been highly prized for it's purity. It make a fabulous gift, or as a treat to oneself, if you love tribal jewellery. I've lived in Kutch a long time now and know the best from the ordinary.....If you'd like me to find you something special, something beautiful, that comes from a fascinating culture and is handmade and interesting, let me find an item of special significance for you now!
Some links to further reading that may interest you -
http://www.astro-vani.com/blog/importance-of-jewelry/
ndyas.hpage.co.in/unknow-facts-about-hindu-religion_9526511.html
http://bapujirishiprasad.blogspot.in/2009/05/importance-of-indian-traditions.html