History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s1.8

v1.c34.s1.8

The necklaces used to be both, short and long. The short necklaces were known as *kaṇṭhi* or *kaṇṭha*, a name which is still retained in Indian vernacular. In the Bharhut sculptures, the short necklaces are broad and flat, going around the neck. They might have been made of plain gold. The other varieties of necklaces were probably made of gold beads, pearls and precious gems. The necklaces were made either of one string (*ekāvalī*) or more than one string. If the central gem is large sized pearl, the necklace was called *śīrsak*. A necklace composed of alternating pearls and gold globules was termed as *apavaritaka*. *Ratnāvali* was a variegated necklace composed of gems, pearls and gold globules (Kauṭilya’s *Arthaśāstra*, Shamasastry, 1923-24).