Were amulets ever popular pieces of jewelry in India?

Amulets were and still are quite popular in the land of India. The history of amulets in India actually dates all the way back to the BC Era. In fact, the first type of jewelry worn in India was the amulet. Amulets were meant to keep their wearers safe from harm while empower them as well. Some special accessories were worn solely on the heads of members of higher castes, or they were reserved for men that had distinguished themselves in battle and combat, etc. Initially, Indian jewelry often featured flowers. What we now call earrings were made of orchids, ivory, crystal, and metal. In addition, hair from the head of a beheaded adversary was considered a respected adornment, signifying that a male child has grown into a man, and a warrior at that. The claws of tigers and the horns of animals were also worn as jewelry in India. It is said that the Naga Indians still maintain these customs which have been practiced for millenniums. As Indian cultures developed, jewelry changed accordingly. Though many Indians still wore amulets, there was a stark change in the substances used to make these pieces of jewelry. Necklaces began to be made of beads, which were originally stones that had been polished. It was believed that red coral bead necklaces could keep people safe from harm, while amber bead jewelry was meant to keep its wearers in good health. According to time honored Indian medicine, amber is good for preventing a sore throat or even grasserie, a viral silkworm disease that manifests itself in yellowness of the skin and a disproportionate amount of fluids in the body. Later on, other amulets were made with metal, gemstones, and jewels. Such amulets often had engravings with images of gods and weapons.

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