Necklace with a dark, double-sided pendant from the Minakari collection

• 20% gold-plated silver + 30% onyx + 30% cubic zirconia + 10% enamel + 10% kundan glass
• Necklace length with clasp: 44 cm + 7 cm extension
• Suspended company logo, approximately 1 cm in diameter

Jewelry from the Minakari Collection - You Decide What You Show

In India, jewelry often had two sides: one adorned with gems, the other with minakari. This richer, ornate part often remained closer to the skin, invisible - in keeping with the belief that true beauty doesn't have to be for the eyes, it is enough for the heart. The Minakari jewelry collection continues this tradition, but puts it in your hands. Delicate silver elements are adorned on both sides. You decide which side you show the world and which you keep to yourself. By reversing the jewelry, you change its meaning: one day you wear it as a statement, the next as an intimate secret. Minakari bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings adapt to you, not the other way around.

Black and green necklace with decorative pendant

This short necklace was created in the ORSKA studio from gold-plated silver and colored stones. Half of the necklace is made of dark green cubic zirconia, the other half of faceted black onyx. The stones are connected in the center by a decorative pendant, decorated on all sides, made in Rajasthan by friendly artisans whom Anna Orska met during her design trip to India. One of the pendants features a central black kundan glass, traditional Indian glass, surrounded by gold-plated silver and black enamel embellishments. A black and gold ornament in the form of a marigold flower is painted on the reverse. The necklace is asymmetrical – on its side, between the onyx stones, an additional pendant is strung, with a central green kundan glass pendant, the setting of which is covered with intricate green-and-blue enamel decorations. The asymmetry gives the necklace an artistic, unconventional character. This jewelry is for those who are not afraid to stand out.

The Symbolism of Plant Patterns in the Minakari Collection

Jewelry from the Minakari collection abounds with plant motifs, which have rich symbolism in Indian and Persian cultures. Leaves and vines symbolize bonds, traditions, and continuity – their intertwining lines represent an eternal connection with nature and the repeating cycles of life. The floral arabesques that adorn many pieces in the collection are a call to harmony in life and a reminder of natural rhythms. The lotus, featured in several jewelry designs from the Minakari collection, is the flower of the soul in Indian culture and symbolizes purity, rebirth, and spiritual enlightenment. Growing from mud to blossom pristinely, it is a metaphor for transformation and inner strength. Marigolds, which appear in this necklace, are considered flowers of joy, celebration, and positive energy in India. Known as Genda, they are an integral part of ceremonies and festivals, symbolizing light, warmth, and spiritual protection. Jewelry with plant patterns from the Minakari collection can become an everyday talisman that you can wear close to your heart as a reminder of the intentions that are important to you.

How is minakari made?

Minakari is an ancient Persian technique of decorating metal with colored enamel. The name comes from the words "mina" (sky) and "kari" (work), literally meaning "sky-colored work." Engraved gold or silver is coated with mineral glazes and fired in a kiln, solidifying the intensely colored patterns. Since the 16th century, this technique has evolved in India, gaining even more vibrant colors, elaborate geometric motifs, forms, and patterns inspired by nature. Minakari is layered. Each color is applied and fired separately, creating subtle color transitions. This gives the patterns depth and changes in the light, as if "alive" depending on the viewing angle. Each piece takes dozens of hours to complete—a very labor-intensive process that also requires patience and surgical precision. To learn more, visit the "Crafts of the World" tab.