Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh,
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, a state located in northwestern India,
bordering Pakistan. In his strategic vision, the Maharaja spurred economic
prosperity by encouraging jewelers from across India to relocate and establish
artisanal gem-cutting shops in the city. The resulting jewelry showcased
meticulous craftsmanship, featuring enameling and gemstones that adorn colorful
creations with equal attention to detail on both the front and back.

In an article from The New York
Times, the author writes, “For centuries, Jaipur attracted the world’s best
gems to be cut, polished, and mounted, a tradition harking back to the early
18th century when the ruling Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the city as
the capital of Rajasthan. A dedicated patron of the arts, he drew the best
artisans from all over India to craft jeweled sword hilts, pendants, earrings —
and even ankle bracelets for the royal elephants. Over time, Jaipur’s craftsmen
earned a reputation for their skill in cutting particularly brittle stones like
emeralds.”

The Johari Bazaar, one of the city’s oldest
markets, stands as the genesis of Jaipur’s gem and jewelry industry and
continues to host numerous small workshops and shops. Evolving from this rich tradition,
contemporary entrepreneurs have elevated Jaipur to the world’s jewelry capital
status. The city now supports around 300,000 jewelry designers, skilled
artisans, and manufacturers, operating in over 100 factories. The gemstone-cutting
sector alone engages over 150,000 individuals in the city. Large distribution
centers have been established to meet the growing global demand for gemstones,
silver, and gold, facilitating international trade and contributing to Jaipur’s
prominence in the industry.

Upon your arrival in the country,
your senses are assaulted by the vibrant colors, varied aromas, unceasing
sounds, and a vast array of tastes. From ancient palaces, colorful saris,
myriads of fruit and vegetable carts, and a cacophony of auto horns, India offers
a culture of captivating colors that are beautifully reflected in the jewelry
crafted by the master jewelers of Jaipur. In 1676, the French gem merchant
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier described in his book Travels in India the Great
Moguls’ seven thrones laden with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls that
offered a glimpse into the tradition of wealth found within the borders of this
ancient land.

With an annual demand surpassing 800 tons,
India claims the title of the world’s largest consumer of gold. You would understand why if you witnessed just one of the
Hindu weddings. The women are adorned in 22k gold from head to toe! Consequently, it comes as no surprise that the country supports over 2
million people employed as artisans, manufacturers, and designers in the
thriving gold industry.

Jaipur has solidified its status as one of the
world’s four colored gemstone hubs, alongside China, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
In addition to the well-known diamonds, pearls, rubies, and emeralds, skilled
artisans in Jaipur expertly cut a variety of gemstones, including onyx, jade,
amethyst, aquamarine, topaz, moonstone, peridot, and garnets. These gemstones
are then artistically styled in an array of metals. Jaipur actively imports
gemstones of diverse types and colors from around the globe, including, but not
limited to, Brazilian Amethyst, Afghan Lapis Lazuli, and South African Garnet.
Renowned for centuries as a leading center for emerald and ruby cutting and
trading, Jaipur also mines rubies, emeralds, pearls, and other gemstones in
India, particularly in Rajasthan.