Double bracelet with charms from the Minakari collection

• 10% gold-plated silver + 10% enamel + 30% onyx + 40% cubic zirconia + 10% kundan glass
• Bracelet width approx. 0.25
• Suspended elements up to approx. 1 cm
• Extension approx. 2 cm
• Suspended Orska logo approx. 1 cm in diameter

Minakari - the art of hidden beauty

Anna Orska has been traveling the world for many years, discovering crafts deeply rooted in local traditions and passed down from generation to generation. She seeks authenticity, history, and masterful craftsmanship. This time, her path led her to Rajasthan, where she was captivated by the minakari technique, the over 2,500-year-old art of enameling engraved silver. For centuries, minakari has adorned not only jewelry but also architectural details in Jaipur's palaces, furniture, and everyday vessels. Indian jewelry has a unique, two-sided character: the outside glistens with stones, while the inside conceals intricately crafted enamels. It's an intimate detail, visible only to the wearer. The ORSKA collection honors this tradition, bringing it into your hands. Minakari envelops small elements on each side, allowing you to choose which one to show. You decide what is for the eye and what is left for the heart.

Double bracelet with decorative pendants from the Minakari collection

The bracelet is created with a double string of faceted stones. Half are black onyxes, the other half emerald-colored zircons. Four decorative pendants made of gold-plated silver are strung between the stones. The two larger ones are richly decorated. On one side, floral ornaments painted with green, pink, and blue enamel; on the other, kundan glass, or indigo Indian glass. Their edges are also decorated with green floral ornaments, giving the pendants a fully sculptural appearance. The composition is completed by two round, smaller kundan glass pendants – one blue and one green. The intricately cut glass is set in gold-plated silver, the edges of which are embellished with colored enamel patterns. The bracelet has an additional gold-plated extension allowing for adjustable length.

Kundan glass – Indian crystal glass

Kundan glass is a high-quality, traditional Indian glass that has been used in jewelry for centuries. It comes from the royal regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, where artisans perfected the art of creating glass with intense brilliance and depth of color. Kundan glass is precisely cut. In traditional Indian jewelry, kundan glass appeared in the richest royal decorations, where its vibrant colors and brilliance were meant to attract the eye and emphasize the opulence of the entire composition. This glass is available in a wide spectrum of colors. In the Minakari collection, we use kundan glass in shades of green, blue, and black, which harmoniously combine with colorful mineral enamel.

How is minakari made?

Minakari is a traditional technique of decorating metal with colored enamel, originating in ancient Persia. Its name combines the words "mina" (sky) and "kari" (work), creating a poetic expression for "sky-colored work." The process of creating minakari is complex and requires precision. First, the metal surface is engraved, creating an intricate pattern. Then, mineral glazes are applied and fired repeatedly in a kiln at high temperatures. Each color requires a separate firing stage, making the technique based on the application of successive layers. This creates subtle color transitions beneath the surface of the ornaments, lending the decorations depth and exceptional lightness. The colors change with the light and viewing angle, giving the impression of being alive. You can find more about the designer's trip to India and the secrets of minakari in the "Crafts of the World" section.