DESIGN ANATOMY: WHAT GOES INTO CRAFTING A SINGLE JEWELLERY PIECE
Have you ever gazed at an elegant pair of earrings or a royal choker necklace and wondered about how are they even made? Traditional Indian jewellery designs at Tarinika starts with a story, travels through the skilled hands of artisans and ends as a beautiful extension of you.
Each piece of jewellery contains a story which unfolds through the process of sketching, sculpting and stone-setting through precise artisanal work. Let us pull back the curtain and take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of what really goes into crafting a single piece of fashion jewellery at Tarinika.
1. INSPIRATION FIRST: WHERE DESIGNS BEGIN
It begins with inspiration before a jewel comes to life. Our designers find inspiration through multiple sources like ancient temple architecture, royal heirlooms, nature, textiles, and modern silhouettes. Our temple jewellery collections were inspired by the carvings of South Indian temples. The Kundan collection presents Mughal artistic grandeur through modern minimalist designs.
The design process starts with the creation of mood boards. We collect textures and cultural elements to guide the story we want each collection to tell. We may depict the bloom of a lotus for a wedding necklace or conceptualize a peacock motif for a festive earring. It all starts with an idea rooted in tradition and interpreted with a modern eye.
2. THE SKETCHING STAGE: DRAWING THE DREAM
The real design journey begins with inspiration in place. Our internal design team converts conceptual ideas into precise technical drawings. The sketches serve as more than attractive images because they function as precise blueprints. The sketches establish both the dimensions & size, articulation, stone placement and how the piece will actually sit on the wearer.
The team collaborates closely to ensure every detail is thoughtful:
> Will it feel too heavy?
> Can it be worn comfortably for long hours during a wedding or festival?
> Will the enamel hold up over time?
The establishment of quality begins at this point. Each fashion jewellery design at Tarinika undergoes detailed refinement to achieve both aesthetic appeal and practical wearability because we do not follow mass production methods.
3. CHOOSING MATERIALS: A STORY OF THOUGHTFUL SELECTION
Material selection stands as one of the most crucial decisions which follows the initial stages. We work with a variety of base metals like brass or silver alloy. The base metals are carefully plated with gold or rhodium to achieve their royal and enduring appearance. The choice depends on the design. For example:
> Temple jewellery usually features antique gold tones that resonate with heritage.
> Enamel jewellery requires a smooth base for its detailed work to rest upon.
> Kundan jewellery requires perfect setting space to accommodate its distinctive uncut stones.
We select high-quality cubic zirconia together with Kempu stones, pearls and glass polkis to create luxurious fine jewellery pieces at affordable prices. Every creation at Tarinika combines visual excellence with long-term durability to provide customers with quality and value.
4. WAX MODEL MAKING: THE SILENT HERO
The following process involves converting the flat sketch into a three-dimensional model. The process becomes truly thrilling at this point. Artisans employ traditional hand-carving techniques or computer-aided design (CAD) methods to produce wax prototypes of jewelry pieces. Through this wax model we can:
> Check proportions and comfort
> Visualize how it will fall on the neck, ears, or wrist
> Make any last-minute design improvements
The wax model functions similarly to a dress fitting session which enables us to refine the design before metal casting starts.
5. CASTING & CRAFTING: WHERE METAL MEETS ART
The approved wax model allows us to proceed with metal casting which represents the actual transformative process. Molten metal receives its final form when poured into molds to create the basic structure. The cooling process results in a polished and filed object which exposes the original form of your upcoming necklace or earring.
This is when the signature finish is applied to give antique jewellery that old-world charm. Enamel jewellery artisans start their intricate work of hand-inserting colours into minuscule grooves which requires extensive practice to master. Each tiny curve and motif are done by hand. No shortcuts. No automation. The process depends on generations of transmitted patience together with acquired skill and enduring passion.
6. SETTING THE STONES: PRECISION MEETS PERFECTION
Stone-setting represents the most challenging process during which our skilled artisans demonstrate their exceptional abilities. Artisans use their hands to position every stone from tiny zircons to glass polki stones. The stone placement needs to be exact because both tightness and looseness could result in breakage or loss. Kundan jewellery requires special attention because uncut stones need to be placed in lac before multiple gold foil layers create their distinctive radiant appearance. Our goal is to create pieces that produce subtle sparkle while the stones complement the metalwork rather than overpower it.
7. FINAL POLISH & QUALITY CHECK: THE TARINIKA PROMISE
The quality check process examines everything before it reaches you.
We inspect:
> Finish and polish
> Stone security
> Clasp and hinge movement
> Weight and comfort
It doesn’t make it to the final collection if it doesn’t meet our internal standards. That’s our promise to anyone who invests in our traditional Indian jewellery. We also ensure that our jewellery is skin-friendly and hypoallergenic wherever possible.
8. PACKAGING WITH CARE: BECAUSE UNBOXING SHOULD BE A DELIGHT
Your chosen jewellery is carefully packaged in our signature Tarinika box once the piece passes quality checks. We use soft satin pouch and elegant casing to make your unboxing experience as magical as the contents inside.
WHY IT MATTERS: THE VALUE BEHIND EVERY TARINIKA PIECE
Fast fashion and mass-produced accessories have made people forget about the craftsmanship involved in fashion jewellery. Tarinika supports every design made with skilled craftsmanship and dedicated attention to detail.
When you wear one of our pieces, you are wearing:
> A sketch turned into sculpture
> The story of an artisan’s skill
> A cultural thread connecting past and present
You are investing in meaningful designs whether you are choosing temple jewellery chokersv for weddings, enamel necklaces for brunch or kundan jhumkas for festive celebrations.
Not sure where to start?
Explore:
> Our Antique Collection for timeless and vintage charm
> Our Temple Jewellery – A must-have for weddings and pujas
> The Enamel Collection for playful and modern pieces with traditional soul
> Kundan Jewellery for brides who want the best of tradition and trend
CONCLUSION: BEYOND ORNAMENT, IT’S ART
Jewellery is something you feel. It’s a connection to culture and a daily reminder of your own style. Take a moment to appreciate the story behind your necklace or earrings whenever you fasten or adjust them. The sparkle of jewellery represents more than just beauty because it carries the essence of the soul.
Tarinika offers heritage-inspired jewellery that appeals to modern tastes through its intentional craftsmanship and heartfelt production methods. Browse our latest collections of traditional Indian jewellery and find a piece that connects to your soul.