Fiber and Seed Jewellery of Tamil Nadu

People have been using botanical seeds strung together as ornaments since centuries. Donning wild beads was a signifier of wealth, sentiments, society and medicinal aids. India has a rich culture of such ornaments being donned by the wealthy and the members of the aristocracy. South Indian Tamil queens were also known to wear ornaments made from seeds and plant fiber to express their royal heritage. These kinds of jewellery are also famous in tribal communities and are considered of high ornate value.

Recent contemporary times have adopted plant and seed fiber made jewellery as a statement of fashion with a social motive of promoting the cultivation of plants and sustainable utilization of nature by civilization. It is a unique way to create avenues for botanical conservation and livelihood sustenance for the local community that lives therein with.

The collection of these tropical and wild plants is mapped from the geographically privileged areas such as the Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats and interior villages of southern India.

These jewels have a wide range of aromatic essences and they all flourish in natural colors. These jewels have been designed by botanists, conservationists and natural dwellers of the forest laden areas. Necklaces, earrings, pendants, and bracelets are just a few of the many styles of ornaments that can be made from these natural materials.