Shellac Fashion Jewelry

Shellac jewelry is the latest entrant in the fashion jewelry market. Shellac or Lac Jewellery making in India is one of the most distinctive highly artistic and elaborate craft. The jewelry incorportaes artistic and stylish patterns. Shellac is extensively used for making attractive ornaments. Shellac jewellery largely bangles are worn on all auspicious occasions. They are considered as a sign of good omen. Some bangles are plain, other are studded with glass or beads, bright stones etc. The designs of shellac jewellery are different from state to state. The basic feature of lac jewelry is that they are always bright in color.

What is Shellac ?
Shellac is obtained from the scale insects , Laccifer lacca. It is quite commonly found in India and Thailand. These insects secrete this resin during their reproductive cycle, to form a shell around. The female insect is the major producer of the shellac. The lac is in the form of small grains of the size of an apple seed. When removed from the tree as a raw material for shellac, it is called sticklac. This consists of the resin, twigs, remains of the bug etc. It has to be crushed washed and dried before use. Shellac is hard and odorless when cold, but has a characteristic smell on heating or melting. Superior grades are light yellow in color, while the inferior grades range from deep orange brown to almost dark red. It is a powerful bonding material with low thermal conductivity. It is resistant to the action of ultraviolet rays and is non-toxic.

Using Shellac
Shellac has been used for centuries in India for a variety of purposes including medicines, dies, fixers and cosmetics. Lac jewellery is treasured in the traditional ceremonies. Apart from the ornaments it is also used for textile dyes, trinkets, pillboxes, sealing wax, fireworks, electrical insulators and other handicraft & gift items. It can be mixed with alcohol to make furniture varnish. Shellac is versatile in usage and can be colored, carved, inlayed, perforated, painted.

Products:
Highly colorful and decorative traditional and contemporary fashion jewellery can be created using shellac. The product range includes: