Gemstones and Inspiration in Rajasthan, India

There are few places left in the world dedicated to individual craftsmanship, but Rajasthan, India is one of these rare gems. Its rich heritage of handcrafted traditions are nothing short of breathtaking.

Each year, I visit Jaipur in search of gemstones and inspiration. Hand-selecting earth-born stones is at the core of what we do at Amata. It connects us to the process and the people, making each piece of jewelry truly unique. Amata is Latin for “Beloved,” and sharing our love of this ancient art had led to countless treasured friendships.

Wandering through the streets of Jaipur is like stepping back in time. Since the days of royal patronage generations of artists and craftsmen have settled in the walled-city of Jaipur. From potters, hand block printers, wood carvers, sculptures, gem cutters, to mughal traditional painters, the arts and crafts are thriving in Jaipur. It’s a marvel to see how the city’s artistry comes alive…

Neighborhoods dedicated to polishing and cutting gemstones have existed since the 1700s…

Witnessing these handcrafted traditions has a way of making time stand still. Everything from pottery and printmaking to stone carving and metal work is a beautiful testament to the timelessness of true artistry…

The gateway to the Thar Desert, Jodhpur, is a medieval city that is dominated by the Meharangarh Fort to the west and to the east is the majestic golden sandstone palace, Umaid Bhwan. Jodhpur is known as the blue city because many of the houses have been painted with an indigo wash, some say for religious reasons, or to keep cool or even to combat mosquitoes. (Fiona Caulfield, Love Jaipur, Rajasthan)

In Jodphur, I spent my days with Sambhali Trust, a non-profit organization focused on the development and empowerment of women and girls, teaching them to make bracelets for their future creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. These women worked together to bring Amata Jewelry designs to life…

In the evenings, I’d meander down the streets to the old bazaar to visit ancient perfumeria to mix rose and sandalwood and drink chai with a view of the fortress. Jodhpur is a medieval city that is known as the blue city because of its many indigo-painted houses. Looking over it reminded me of a shimmering ocean, or a sea of glistening gems…