Aurus Jewels’ memory project Indian Family Jewels sparks modern conversations about jewellery heirlooms

The open-source archive that invites personal narratives from across the subcontinent, is an attempt to document local histories, stories of families and craft associated with heirloom ornaments. It recently hosted a discussion about the rich social context of jewellery  

Ahmedabad: “In India, every piece of jewellery is neither just a monetary investment nor an aesthetic symbol – it is a conduit of cultural connotations, familial and regional history,” says Puja Shah, Co-Founder, Indian Family Jewels, an open-source Instagram-based memory project to document the history of family-owned jewellery in the subcontinent. Developed under its parent company, fine jewellery brand Aurus Jewels, the project stemmed from the passion to document and catalogue the vast historical milieu, diverse artisanal traditions and personal narratives associated with family-owned jewels, and has sparked several conversations around their social relevance.

During Navratri, Indian Family Jewels hosted a panel discussion in Ahmedabad, where the panelists – custodians of family-owned heirlooms – spoke about the craft, symbolism and personal, yet generational and universally relatable memories of the jewellery. For instance, an audience member shared how she had realized the importance of a generationally-treasured ornament with intricate kaarigari only after the jewel had been melted and refashioned. Another told a personal story of their community using jewels to indicate transition in social status – from a maiden to a married woman to a mother. The discussion piqued interest and awareness about the rich social context of jewellery, and also familiarised visitors with the company’s brands Aurus and Moi. An exhibition featuring some of their hero pieces and a Garba night followed the session of story-telling.

“These are the first steps in our cultural documentation project, and we hope to bring more such panels and discussions to other Indian cities. Eventually, we hope such community-building exercises will spawn more interest, ideas and sustain the archive for a long time,” Shah stated.

Going back to the inception of Indian Family Jewels earlier this year, Shah says that while overarching histories of jewellery have been documented over the years, there was a dearth of a source that comprehensively recorded the nuances found in oral stories and histories passed down families, and presented them in an accessible format. The aim of Indian Family Jewels is to bridge that gap, and create content for wider audiences in a palatable form, she adds.  

“There are several unique regional connotations, familial histories and social parameters associated with every ornament – and with the turn of the generations and an increased homogenization of jewellery, these smaller cultural nuances were disappearing. The project is an attempt to find a middle ground between the commercial aspects and the academic and esoteric histories of jewellery,” Shah explains.

Shah’s creative trajectory as an art history enthusiast and jewellery designer involved closely working with brides and their families who were deeply invested in designing their trousseau. “What emerged from these conversations was a deep-seated locus of regional identity and a desire to connect with one’s ancestral heritage through the medium of their wedding jewellery. They would often emphasize where they were from, and what struck us was how closely it was knit with their vision for their jewellery,” she observes.

The first series of Indian Family Jewels focuses on unique wedding necklaces across the subcontinent. “We reached out to diverse demographics, including our own patrons. Through extensive, empathetic conversations, we have been able to build a database, and the first series focusing on seven wedding necklaces spotlights different materials, motifs and cultural significance in an animated and accessible manner,” Shah sums up.

Written by Harshita Kale

Retail Jeweller India Exclusive