New York–Indian jewelry brand Amrapali introduced its newest collection, Dark Maharaja, at the Couture show earlier this month.
The “Armoured Sword” double ring from the Dark Maharaja collection, made in ruthenium-plated silver and 18-karat gold with rubies ($1,079).
“The collection was inspired by the dark side of the Indian maharajas (princes),” Amrapali’s Tarang Arora said. “There is nothing known as ‘Indian punk.’ If there would be, what would it be like? That’s the space we have tried to explore: Indian punk.”
The gothic line “captures the craftsmanship and darkness of war, engraved with the symbols of mythologies and the shields and vajras (a type of weapon) carved with majestic mysteries,” Arora said.
It includes ear cuffs, statement rings, necklaces and bangles set in ruthenium-plated silver and 18-karat gold, embellished with rubies and diamonds.
“Everyone always portrays the rich cultural heritage of India and the positive side of it,” Arora said. “We decided to personify the darkness of the battlefields, thus taking inspirations from their weapons. We decided to portray it through colors–black and red.”