Hyderabad Pearls



Hyderabad has always been referred to as the “city of pearls” even though it is far away from the sea.

The Nizams of Hyderabad led a very opulent lifestyle.

Pearls in Hyderabad have a long history. Ram Dutt Malji, a Haryanvi pearl trader, became a royal jeweler.

His son, Seth Kedarnathji Motiwale, opened the first ever pearl shop in Patthargatti way back in 1906. Intitially, the trade in pearls depended on the pearls coming from the Persian Gulf.

There are two kinds of pearls-real or cultured. After a pearl is made, it is separated as per the shape. The drilling is either done horizontally or vertically. This is done by highly skilled artisans.

Once this is done, the pearls are graded according to the sheen, glaze, shape, size, luster and uniformity.

Various kinds of ornaments are made from pearls like bracelets, Kundan sets and enameled sets, Satlads (seven strand pearl, set with precious stones), lacchas, chand bali (a moon shaped ear-ring), chokers, rassi (a chain set in the form of rope) chatai (a mat type chain, ear rings and rings), hath phool (for the fingers and the wrist), vaddenam (waist belt) and Tanmani.

Some of the famous pearl shops in Hyderabad are: Mangatrai (Patthargatti and Basheerbagh), Kedarnathji Motiwale and Jagadamba (Charminar, Begumpet and M G Road ).



Last Updated on : 17/08/2013