Enamel Bangle Bracelet. Besides being the mark of a married woman, bangles in India have a tremendous amorous and romantic connotation. In classical Indian poetry, a woman’s pining for union with her husband or lover, is indicated by the bangles slipping from her wrist due to her becoming thin in the agony of separation from him. This Indian style bangle jewelry comes with fine enamel painting, popularly known as meenakari work. Each bangle set is worn in pairs.
Enamelling has also long been practiced by Indian jewelers. In gold Mughal-style gem-set jewellery enamel is sometimes used on the front, generally in areas of solid color contrasting with the stones. Characteristic of this type of jewellery, however, are the intricate, small-scale designs enameled on the backs, where they remain unseen. Perhaps part of the explanation for this practice may be the artisan’s delight in his own craft, but probably more important are the requirements of technology. The 22-carat gold used by Indian jewelers is very soft and subject to abrasion. Enamelling the back of an object, where it is in contact with the skin, reduces abrasion and loss of metal. In addition, the enamel itself helps to lend rigidity to objects made of thin sheet gold.
The main type of enamelling practiced in India is champleve.
 

Enamel Bangle Bracelet

Today there are three major enamelling centres in India, each with its own distinctive traditional style of work: Jaipur(Rajasthan), Benaras (Uttar Pradesh) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). Jaipur enamel on gold is considered to be outstanding. Here the tradition of Mughal styles of work is perpetuated, and some of the finest enamel work being executed today is comparable in every way with the best found on Mughal Jewellery. Jaipur enamels are justly famous for the clear brilliant red they call pigeon’s blood. Not accidentally, the Jaipuri enamel palette includes transparent colors that correspond to the most important colored stones: red (corresponding with ruby), green (emerald), blue(sapphire). Opaque colors are also used, especially white and turquoise. The use of particular colors in a design has led to established styles of enamel work, designated according to the ground color used: transparent red, transparent blue, transparent green, opaque blue, opaque white, and opaque white outline. To increase the reflection of light through the transparent enamels and thus enhance their color brilliance, the areas to be enameled are engraved with parallel lines, which also improves the bonding between the enamel and metal.