A detail form a miniature painting centuries old shows the love of pearls and jewelry. It is much more common for images throughout the ages to depict males rather than females.

Maharaja of Patilia, Yadavindra Singh, in a spectacular suite of diamonds. Generations of gems and jewels are presented in this photograph from 1941. Take note of the size of the diamonds in the center of his chest.

As a young boy, Sayaji Rao III shows an early love of jewels. This picture circa 1875. He would later become a highly visible and well-traveled adult.

Muhammad Ali Walahjah died in 1795, ruled in Arcot. He has magnificent diamonds and extremely large pearls, although the artist Kettle may have enhanced these.

The last of the great Mughal Maharajas, Bahadur Shah II. The British deposed him in 1857 and exiled to Rangoon where he died in 1862. Note his elaborate headdress, and halo of light depicted around his head.

Maharaja of Alwar, Jey Singh Kachwaha, is counter balanced by coins in a traditional gesture. His weight in gold coins is distributed to his subjects and the poor.

Another boy prince, unidentified, showing an early affinity for gems. Looking very relaxed and comfortable.

Maharaja of Rewa, Raghuraj Singh, is bejeweled with regalia from India and the British Empire. He has gloves and face paint in part because he was a leper, and desired to cover the scaring from the terrible disease.

A detail of a painting depicting a gift of a turban ornament to the future Shah Jehan, the Maharaja responsible for constructing the Taj Mahal during the peak of the Mughal Empire. The gift is from his grandfather, Akbar.

This wonderful piece is worn on the upper arm and was to symbolize royalty. It is called a bazuband, and this piece has exceptionally clear diamonds. The reverse side has beautiful enameling, called minikari.

In 1948, this procession of Maharajas took place in Jaipur to commerate the arrival of the Maharaja of Baria.

The Maharaja of Cooch Behar in 1913. A very elegant and understated photo of a family who had many gems set by western houses in the 20th century.

Young son of the Maharaja of Bansda atop a bejeweled elephant in the 19th century. Note the umbrella, an ancient symbol of royalty.

A Mughal cap or crown covered in semi precious and precious stones with hundreds of pearls. Note the turban ornament, and the placement of the heron feathers.

Maharaja of Indore from the Holkar clan, circa 1875. They came to power and prominence during the decline of the Mughal Empire.

This sculpture of a female courtesan, or more likely a deity, shows how the love of adornment has changed little over the intervening centuries. This sculpture of sandstone from the 11th century in central India.

In a role reversal by western standards, the wife of Pratapsingh Gaekwar is helped into his strands of pearls.

The 18th-century fort at Gwalior from the Scindia family. This clan defied the advances of the Mughals for decades due in part to their riches.

A fabulous jigha, or turban ornament. This is worn on the front of the turban, and has an enameled reverse side along with a mechanism to insert a heron feather within it. It is from the 18th century, North India.

17th century, North India, 55 mm. Ruby, emerald, and pearl pendant in 18 kt gold. Fabricated in Kundan technique.

17th century, North India, 52 mm. Ruby, emerald, diamond and pearl pendant in 18 kt gold. Fabricated in Kundan technique.

17th century, North India. Ruby and emerald cabochon ring in 18 kt gold. Fabricated and repousse in Kundan technique.

17th century, North India, 45 mm. Ruby and emerald cabochons, diamonds and pearls in this pendant. Set in 18 kt gold. Fabricated and repousse in Kundan technique.

Later 16th, early 17th century, 57 mm diameter. Nephrite jade cup, carved with stones set in kundan style including emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

First quarter 17 th Century North India 52 mm Ruby and emerald cabochons, diamonds and pearls in this pendant. Set in 18 kt gold. Fabricared and repousse with Kundan technique. Engraving on back.

Circa 1650, North India, 45 mm. Pendant with crazed ruby cabochon and emerald drop set in Kundan style. Richly enameled back.

Circa 1650, North India/Deccan, 30 mm. Pendant with center ruby with diamonds in Kundan style and pearl. Reverse side with floral enamel.

Circa 1675, North India/Deccan, 48 mm. Pendant with center ruby with diamonds in Kundan style and emerald pendant. Reverse side with floral champleve enamel.

18th century, Deccan, Hyderabad, 135 mm x 41 mm. Hard to find bracelet with diamonds, rubies and speinel. Set in Kundan style.

Maharaja Bhupendra Singh, taken circa 1911. His turban piece, or sarpech, is diamonds and emeralds and was made by Cartier, Paris. He also wears fourteen strands of matched natural pearls of gigantic sizes. Note too the medals from England and other countries he wears proudly.

An ancient fresco depicting a deity in all types of jewelry. Demonstrating the love of jewelry even for gods and their consorts.

A late 19th-century photograph of a very happy young prince showing off his jewelry for perhaps the first time. The love of jewelry is passed down through the generations, along with the jewelry itself.

A bride in all her finery from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Jewelry carries great significance to marriage ceremonies in India, both as dowery and in a cultural context.

Mid 19th-century earrings from Rajasthan, 1 7/8 “ diameter. These elegant earrings have pearls, rubies and granulation technique. The ornaments on the far right and left show towards the back.

Gold earrings from Tamil Nadu. This traditional design is remarkably modern and architectural due to its refined, unadorned geometric style. It is unusual for surfaces not to be decorated. It is hollow construction, but filled with pitch to keep from compressing.

An astonishingly elaborate anklet in sterling silver showing a high degree of repousee in which the metal is moved from the inside and outside with steel tools. Outer diameter of almost 5 inches, a hinge and clasp allow access. From Gujarat, and worn by Maldhari women.

A sketch from 1856 showing goldsmiths at work. The artisan on the left is using a blow tube to introduce oxygen to increase the heat, and in manipulating the metal with tongs in his right hands. He is likely annealing the silver by heating to about 1200 degrees, or soldering two pieces together. Hammers and anvils appear at his feet. The artist on the right is forging the metal to form an anklet. A completed anklet appears by his left knee.

A fairly modern family of goldsmiths which are found throughout India. Note how the techniques shown in this photograph are similar to the sketch from 150 years ago. The essential components are identical.

An engraving from the 19th century depicting a traveling goldsmith. It was common for goldsmiths to travel to the home of the patron where he would realize commissions or rebuild existing pieces.

Maharaja Sayaji-Rav Gaekwar of Gujarat, circa 1902. Of particular note is the seven-row diamond necklace of outstanding size and quality.

A sketch made in 1903 demonstrating how a blowpipe can be used to increase heat into a furnace by introducing more oxygen. These artisans are engaged in the Thewa process of jewelry making, which fuses glass to gold.

Maharaja Singh Bahadur of Alwar. Born in 1882. Many formal portraits of Maharajas were made to commemorate the grand “Durbars” between Indian and English royalty.

Map of India and surrounding terrorities showing the locals of the various Mughal states and Maharajas.