Seed Pearl
A very small pearl, under about 2mm, used in clusters, embroidery and temple work.
Seed pearls are the smallest usable pearls, historically sewn onto fabric and woven into court jewellery in their thousands.
In Indian jewellery they fill kundan settings, edge temple pieces and form the fringes of jhumkas and haram necklaces.
Individually they are near worthless. Massed together, and set by hand, they produce work that costs more in labour than in material.
When you are buying
When you buy seed pearl work, you are buying stringing and setting hours. Judge it on the evenness of the rows and the tightness of the knots rather than on the pearls themselves.
Seed pearl jewellery
42 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹1,500.
Attractive Hook Jhumkas Featuring White Seed Pearls & SP Emeralds
Beautiful traditional seed pearl jhumkas
Radiant 2Step Jhumkas Featuring White Seed Pearl & Ruby Droplets
Luminous 2Step Jhumkas Featuring White Seed Pearl Droplets
Beautiful, elegant seed pearl bangles in red and green stones
Opulent Paisley Studded White Seed Pearl Jhumkas Featuring Emeralds & Rubies
Luminous Paisley Studded Jhumkas Featuring White Seed Pearls & Ruby Droplets
Traditional and Stylish Pearl Drop Hangings - with American Diamonds
Rice Pearl
A small elongated freshwater pearl shaped like a grain of rice, usually with visible surface rippling.
Kundan
A setting technique where highly refined gold foil is pressed around stones to hold them, with no prongs or claws.
Temple Jewellery
South Indian jewellery in a deity and motif vocabulary, originally made to adorn temple idols and now worn by dancers and brides.
Jhumka
A bell or dome-shaped earring, usually fringed with pearls or beads around the rim. The most recognisable Indian earring form.