Diamonds have always been a woman’s best friend. Be it embedded into that hideously expensive wedding ring or part of the twinkling earring stud or even one of the various charismatic establishments on a necklace, diamonds were created by God to become part of a woman’s life.
Ever since the world came into existence, women have been great lovers of jewellery. It completes the look for them; long necklaces, huge rings, dangling earrings and bracelets. Pakistan, with its varied culture being exhibited at every random corner of the streets, benefits from a rich jewellery-obsessed heritage.
From the days of the Mughals, through the different dynasties that ruled the subcontinent, and later with the arrival of the British, jewels were held close to everyone’s hearts. It also shaped the local jewellery in an eccentric manner as a combination of the rich heritage left behind by the rulers incorporating admirably with what the invaders brought with them.
The primitive woman used to make necklaces of beads and stones, and so the tradition follows. A few years ago, the jewellery-donning ritual was reserved for special occasions that demanded that extra bit of preparation, notably weddings or important family dinners. Now, however, be it at work or home, the big weddings or days out, women wear jewellery nevertheless.
Keeping in view the jewellery vogue that exists amongst our nation today, and has been since the stone ages, there was a gold and gems exhibition in Karachi recently. The exhibitors, local jewellery traders from the streets of Karachi, displayed their best and latest creations that included gold necklaces and earrings, diamond rings, ear studs, beads, and stone jewellery. The masses that came pouring through the gates depicted just how sacred this once-a-fashion-accessory has become in this day and age.
This event was held to promote the jewellery industry of Pakistan and exhibits included stunning specimens of gold jewellery, stones, bead necklaces and bracelets, bangles, and earrings. The gold collection present on-site ranged from daily-wear and night-out wear to extensive bridal jewellery collection including necklaces, heavily embedded with multicoloured beads as well as strong presence of ruby, topaz, emeralds and aquamarine delicately placed with finely-cut gold. The earrings display was inclined towards the current trend that is the long dangles consisting of different combinations of gold and gems adroitly clipped together.
Gold pendants embedded with religious wordings and necklaces bearing different initials was also witnessed at the event. The presence of gold incorporated with religion bode glad tidings for the exhibitors at the event as it turned out to be one of the many stars of the event.
So much so is the subcontinent’s influence on the jewellery market that our very own products are imported, or recreated, across the oceans in various different countries. Although the trend of heavy gold necklaces with ruby and emeralds entranced into them in good numbers has not caught the eye of those residents, it is nevertheless visually appealing to witness such glitter-filled display on the streets of London, New York and Tokyo.
Pakistan is the eighth largest consumer of gold in the world. With no significant exports to speak of, majority of the gold consumed is displayed in the form of jewellery visible in the shops today. The increase in the number of jewellery shops in the country, and the occurrence of gold exhibitions, speaks about its popularity and our nation’s obsession with the glittering and the sparkling. Whatever amount we spend on this lavishness, at least we know how to look good.
© Faras Ghani 2006
Published in The Review 30th Nov 2006
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