- Rudraksha : 15-day Rudraksha and Jewellery expo on in Chennai

Chennai, June 9 :

Rare rudraksha malas, antique finish Victorian jewellery and Burmese
ruby malas are among the exquisite collection being showcased at an
exclusive 'Jewel Expo 2007' here.

Organised by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation
Limited, known as Poompuhar, the 15-day exhibition will display a
wide range of artistic jewellery collected from Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, besides Tamil Nadu.

State Handlooms and Handicrafts Secretary Viswanath Shegaonkar, who
inaugurated the expo yesterday, said new varieties of jewellery like
Sherkhan stone inlaid wax bangles and necklaces, a 17.600 kg Lingam
made of labradorite stone would be the star attraction at the
exhibition.

Besides, grand collections like gold-plated, costume and temple
jewellery, bangles, rings, ear studs, pendants, brooch and necklaces
made of precious and semi-precious stones would be on display for
sale.

Poompuhar chairman and managing director K A Mathew said the price of
the jewellery ranged from Rs 20 to Rs 1.27 lakh, while the rudraksha
malas would cost up to Rs 4.60 lakh.

The three-faced rudraksha mala, said to have spiritual healing power,
was priced at Rs 2.96 lakh, he added.

Stating that the corporation had sold jewellery worth Rs 13 lakh last
year, he said the sale was expected to touch Rs 20 lakh this year.
(Agencies)

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