Colors By Suraj:
Volume 2

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Colors, Volume 3 »

Welcome to this month's issue of Colors by Suraj. Summer is coming to a close and fall is almost upon us. It is time for back to school and business as usual. Suraj Collection has exciting fashions for fall from funky pant suits to ghararas to elegant sarees and lehngas. Suraj's dream collection catalogue has something for everyone. Order yours now.

The Dream Begins...
The night was beautiful, full of promise, full of anticipation. She walked into the room and she knew all eyes were upon her. The look was sheer elegance with a touch of gold. She felt confident and she knew the possibilities were endless...

Fabrics
From rediff.com

Silk Fabric & care Say "silk" and what do you visualize? No other fabric generates quite the same reaction! For centuries silk has had a reputation as a luxurious and sensuous fabric – the one associated with wealth and success. Silk is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man. The Chinese have used it since the 27th century BC. Silk is mentioned by Aristotle and became a valuable commodity both in Greece and Rome. During the Roman Empire, silk was sold for its weight in gold. Today, silk is yet another word for elegance, and silk garments are prized for their versatility, wear-ability and comfort. Silk, is the strongest natural fiber. A steel filament of the same diameter as silk will break before a filament of silk. Silk absorbs moisture, which makes it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Because of its high absorbency, it is easily dyed in many deep colors. Silk retains its shape, drapes well, caresses the figure, and shimmers with a luster all its own. Contemporary silk garments range from eveningwear to sports wear. A silk suit can go to the office and, with a change of accessories and a blouse, transform into an elegant dinner ensemble. Silk garments can be worn for all seasons. Silk — elegant, versatile and washable. In the past, owning a silk garment meant not only the initial price of the garment but also the cost of dry cleaning. All silk is washable. Silk is a natural protein fiber, like human hair, taken from the cocoon of the silkworm. The natural glue, sericin, secreted by silkworms and not totally removed during manufacturing of the silk, is a natural sizing which is brought out when washing in warm water.

Care for Silk

Silk fabrics can be hand washed. Technically, silk does not shrink like other fibers. If the fabric is not tightly woven, washing a silk with tightens up the weave... thus; lighter weights of silk (say a crepe de chine of 14 mm) can be improved by washing, as it will tighten up the weave. When washing silk, do not wring but roll in a towel. Silk dries quickly but should not be put in an automatic dryer unless the fabric is dried in an automatic dryer prior to garment construction. A good shampoo works well on silk. It will remove oil and revitalize your silk. Do not use an alkaline shampoo or one which contains ingredients such as wax, petroleum, or their derivatives, as these products will leave a residue on your silk and may cause "oil" spots. If static or clinging is a problem with your silks, a good hair conditioner may be used in the rinse water. Silk may yellow and fade with the use of a high iron setting. Press cloths and a steam iron are recommended. Silk is also weakened by sunlight and perspiration.

Kundan
From fashionindia.net

Despite the fusion of Western Modern day jewelry in the culture, and influx of jewelry giants like De Beers into the Indian jewelry market, on occasions like weddings, the Indian bride always prefer the traditional and the Ethnic look— bedecked and bejeweled in their complete finery. Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur are famous for the age-old technique of setting gems in gold called Kundan. It is the Mughal-inspired art of setting precious stones like diamonds, emeralds and rubies in gold and silver. Gems are bedded in a surround of gold leaf rather than secured by a rim or claw. Mena Kundan' work of art of enameling with brilliant colors and design was done on the reverse of a jewelry piece, along with the Kundan setting in the front. 'Mena Kundan' also known as Bikaneri or Jaipuri Jewelry. Today the finest Kundan jewelry is made in Bikaner, in Rajesthan. The Historical Aura associated with this jewelry that is once worn by only kings and queens is what make it so attractive. As they'll tell you, Kundan jewelry, like wine gets better with time. The Jaipur Lapidary displays superior skill in carving from hard stones such as jade, rock crystal, agate, garnet, emerald, topaz, amethyst, and spinel. The Jadiyas (stone setters) create fabulous pieces of Jewelry using Kundankari technique. In this Indian technique, the gemstones are set within solid walls of gold. Kundan jewelry features precious gems on one side, and meenakari work on the reverse, requiring the expertise of a Kundanansaz who applies the gems.

Tips for Buying Kundan Jewelry Old, solid gold ornaments are sometimes filled with shellac. It is important to determine this in order to not be overcharged. To identify imperfections in a diamond, look for tiny, rents or fissures and specks. If the diamond has any of these, it is flawed. Note also that a real diamond can never have scratches on its surface, if it does, it is not a diamond. The value of an emerald depends not so much on its freedom from flaws as the thickness of the stone, its depth and brilliance of color. The value of a sapphire is not dependent on size but color, purity and symmetry. A good sapphire will appear blue both by day and by night. The value of pearls depends on their size, texture, form, water and luster. Colored pearls are lighter in weight and more brittle than real pearl. Genuine kundan-set crystal has a mellow, opaque appearance. Artificial kundan is transparent and it glitters. This is due to the fact that glass has been used instead of crystal and colored tinfoil under the stones to create the illusion of color. New cord in an old piece should not make the buyer suspicious. It could have been replaced to hold the ornament together.