Pachchikam is back and how!

Panchchikam is one of the oldest jewellery heritage of India. Originated in Gujarat and Kutch, this style has been recently revived by the jewellery designers. By the looks of it, a Panchchikam design may appear to be unfinished and delicate as compared to Kundan jewellery. This is due to the use of silver as its base metal instead of gold that is commonly used in Kundan and Polki work. With that, it is not only cost-effective but also gives the exquisite look and feel of platinum. 

The main raw materials for Pachchikam jewellery is the base material i.e. silver along with uncut glass and semi-precious stones while the colours used are white, blue, red and green stones and white rice pearls.

The process of crafting Pachchikam jewellery is quite laborious and time-consuming. A silver casing is first made to insert the stones which are then affixed within grooves. Upon looking closely at the jewellery, the entire craft may appear rather crude but that is where its beauty lies. 

The history of Pachchikam cannot be accurately traced. But resemblance to the jewels worn by the European nobility during the 16th century hints that it has a foreign origin. After reaching India, the technique underwent a massive transformation during 18 and 19 century. Legend has it, Pachchikam jewellery was bought by the nobility in India when they were going through a crisis time, since silver was more affordable. 

The only drawback this craft has is that it cannot be produced on a large scale. The craftsmen prefer to work in the traditional manner. They are not receptive to modern technologies. In spite of this, there is no dearth of innovative designs and its popularity has been only on the rise. From rings, jhumkas, bracelets and necklaces to earnings and chokers, a lot of jewels that created using this technique are sought-after amongst Indians as well as jewellery afficinados living abroad.    

Author: Deepa Mishra

Disclaimer: All images used in the blog have been sourced from Google purely for the purpose of informative reference. The models, celebrities or products showcased in these pictures are not to promote any brand in any manner.