Traditional Indian Jewellery: The Golden Smile of India explores the rich heritage of Indian jewellery and its significance in past and present Indian society. Jewellery plays an important part in the everyday lives, important moments, festivals and religious aspects of Indian culture. It is not only girls and women who wear jewellery, but also boys, men, temple statues and even animals. The book excels in its detailed descriptions, which accompany the sumptuous array of images. We discover the origin and significance of gold, the significance of setting gems in a certain order, and jewellery's spiritual importance. The book retells and explains in detail the legends and stories attached to certain gems, as well as their mythological and astrological significance. This publication is the result of thirty-five years of research - travelling, studying, and talking to many people across the entire subcontinent of India, as well as having had unprecedented access to goldsmiths and enamellers; being shown techniques known only to one family, which have been transferred from generation to generation; and being granted access to beautiful and never before seen Royal collections. AUTHOR: Bernadette van Gelder founded the firm 'Van Gelder Indian Jewellery' in 1980. She is a frequent face at high quality art fairs. SELLING POINTS: . Balances gorgeous photographs against detailed descriptions of traditional gems . Explores the legends and stories behind the gems used in traditional Indian jewellery 242 colour, 2 b/w illustrations