Lac Bangles

What are Lac Bangles?

The stunning colourful bangles from Rajasthan & Hyderabad are Lac bangles. Lac is a reisin that is collected from the cocoon of insects. Bangles made out of these are lac bangles. Lac was also used as a seal to close heavy envelopes in the past.

Available at Jaipur:-Johari bazar, Bapu Bazar,

Available at Delhi:-Dilli Haat, Hanuman Mandir, Rajasthali 

Lajpat Nagar ,Jewellery lane

How is it produced?

The  plant sucking insects such as  Laccifer lacca,Carteria Iacca& Tacchardia Iacca  are grown and fed on identified species of trees. The resin that is secreted by these insects are carefully collected and coagulated to form a pulp. This is the basic raw material for the lac bangles. The resin is mixed with  wax or soapstone powder to obtain the desired consistency.

Lac is mixed with basic organic colours. It is made into a semi solid paste and then rolled and hammered to the required thickness. It is placed on an existing bangle’s inner frame to shape the new bangle and on a wooden rod to fix the size. The wooden rod is used to measure the exact sizes.

They are then heated over hot coal to be solidified. Beads, bells, crystal and glasses are then placed on the hot lac bangle and it is further warmed over hot coal.

In Rajasthan, it is considered auspicious for married women to wear Lac Bangles. Colourful lac bangles are worn on festive days such a sholi, Teej, Gangaur ,Diwali and so on

Maniharon ka Rasta is Jaipur is one of the famous places where these bangles are made.

The Laksha Taru (Lac Tree ) has been referenced in the ancient  Indian texts  such as Atharva Veda.