An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c15.s2.4

v1.c15.s2.4

In India the use of semiprecious stones for the manufacture of beads and pendants [10.1] was known from early times. But the art of gem setting in jewellery is seen for the first time in Sirkap, Taxila, datable to the 1st century A.D. In necklaces, bracelets and finger rings gem stones of bright colours were inlaid by cementing with lac, amber and paste. In necklaces with pendants white felspar, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, turquoise, etc., surrounded by gold granules are inlaid. Some of them are also inlaid *en cabochon* either with garnet or blue turquoise. Bracelets of gold consist of openwork type with square ‘gate’ clasps encrusted with gems such as white orthoclase felspar and circular settings with amber. Marshall traces its origin to the 5th-4th century B.C and to the Scytho-Greek people.