History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s2.6

v1.c34.s2.6

Necklaces : The most common necklace of the Gupta period, as seen in the sculptures, was the ‘ekāvali’ which consisted of a single string of pearls, variegated by a large sapphire in the centre. Kālidāsa has noted the beauty of this ornament when he says, “Remarkable is the beauty of the pearl itself, nothing to say when combined with the radiant sapphire” (Raghu, XVI). Varāhamihira mentions a large variety of necklaces, wherein they were named after the varying number of strings. For instance, the Induchandā (1008), Vijayachandā (504), Devachandā (81), Rasmikalapa (54), Gucha (32) and the like comprised of multiple strings (Bṛh; S. LXXX). Nakṣtramālā was a necklace having seven pearls in one string.