Jute is cute and eco-friendly too

As gold and silver prices rise in the country, here's a jewellery option that is cool and looks good too.

Eco-friendly and unconventional ornaments made of jute are driving women crazy at the on-going India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi. What's more, available in myriad colours - from original fabric shade to dyed and treated chilli red, tangy orange, aquamarine blue, jet black and tree-bark brown - the jute jewellery can be mixed and matched with almost any outfit you have. Design options range from danglers, tops, rings, chokers, light necklaces and bangles to pretty bracelets.

"Attracted by these innovative jewellery pieces, no less than 1,000 customers visit our shop every day. With every passing year their charm and demand is increasing," says Ashis Biswas of Sensitive Creation, a jute jewellery company that is participating in the fair.

With a price tag ranging from a modest Rs 20 to Rs 5,000, Biswas said it takes at least a day to make a dozen light pieces or a single heavy piece.

"I love jute jewellery as it fits my budget and looks cool. Instead of spending money on gold jewellery if I spend the same amount on jute ornaments, I can acquire a variety of them and look different and trendy every day," said Smriti Singh, a college student.

Wooden beads, stones, crystals and pearls have been used to create motifs on jute. In some pieces, layers of jute fabric have been cut in different sizes and shapes and generously displayed at the nearly two-week-long IITF. Many love the wonder jewellery because it is eco-friendly and lightweight.

" 'Go green' is what the world is for now, hence a lot of customers find it extremely appealing because it is made up of natural fabric. Moreover, it doesn't cause any kind of irritation to the skin," added Minati Mukherji, owner Juteage.

"Even the big pieces are so lightweight that one can wear them for long hours. This makes it a runway hit," added Sandip Mukherji from Juteage. The fact that jute is durable and maintenance free adds to the allure of these ornaments.

"I don't need to take extra care to clean it, or get it polished while preserving it. It lasts long, the colour doesn't fade and at the most, when it collects dirt, I can conveniently clean it with soap water. I am absolutely smitten by this magic fibre jewellery," said Nidhi Rana, a call centre employee and visitor to the fair.