Issued by India

Issued on Jan 30, 2014

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on the International Year of Crystallography.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 2000 Paisa

Number Printed : 0.41 Million [0.1 Million for proponent]

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Crystallography is the study of crystals and of the determination of the internal structure of crystals using diffraction of X-rays, neutrons and electrons. Crystallography is a subject with many applications in physics, chemistry and biology. It is ever present in modern life in drug development, nanotechnology, biotechnology and in the development of new materials.
• The year 2014 marks the centenary of the beginning of modern crystallography and its identification as the best tool for the structure determination of matter. To commemorate the outstanding achievements of crystallography and its contribution to humankind, the United Nations has designated 2014 as the International Year of Crystallography 2014 (IYCr2014).
• The International Year of Crystallography 2014 commemorates not only the centennial of X-ray diffraction but also that it is 400 years since Kepler‘s observation in 1611 of the symmetrical form of ice crystals, which began the wider study of the role of symmetry in matter. The major objectives of the IYCr2014 are to increase public awareness of the science of crystallography, to foster international collaboration between scientists worldwide and to promote education and research in crystallography and its links to other sciences.
• Department of Posts is issuing a stamp on IYCr2014 to propagate the achievements of crystallographers across the globe and underline the importance of this field to young scientists and the general public. The commemorative postage stamp depicts a diamond and the structure of curcumin, the active constituent of turmeric, as determined by X-ray crystallography. The diamond is known for its exceptional hardness and the flashes of light given off by its natural crystal structure. Curcumin is the compound responsible for the bright orange of turmeric. It is known to exhibit biological, pharmaceutical and wide-ranging pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic.
• Text : Based on the material furnished by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 7, 2000

Issued for : India’s tradition in jewellery is more than 5000 years old. The Department of Posts issues a set of 6 stamps on Indian gems and jewellery under the series of stamps issued to launch Indepex Asiana – 2000, XIV Asian International Exhibition, the Department’s tribute to 50 years of the Republic of India, and the New Millennium.

Credits :
Stamp Design : Based on jewellery displayed in National Museum and concept design by Alka Sharma.
FDC & Mini Sheet : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Six Colour

Denomination : 300 Paise each

Overall size : 4.82 x 4.06 cms.

Printing Size : 4.82 x 4.0 cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 3 million each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Mixed and Minisheet : 50000 each

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

About : 

• By 3000 BC India was the principal production centre for jewellery making. Lapislazuli, turquoise, coral, camelian, jasper and a variety of semiprecious stones were imported into the Indus valley cities of Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibangan where they were cut, shaped and re-exported to destinations beyond India’s maritime boundaries (the first stamp in the series portrays a bead necklace from Indus Valley (c. 2500 BC)). Texts on gemmology (Ratnashastra) such as “Ashtadhyayi“ of Panini (c. 500 BC), Kautilya‘s “Arthashastra” (4^th century BC), Bharata‘s “Natyashastra” (c. 500 BC) give systematic description of jewellery traditions. The Natyashastra classifies ornaments into four types : avedhya – that which is worn by piercing a part of the body, including ear-ornaments (kundala); bandhaniya – that which is tied up like girdles (sronisutra) and armbands (angada); praksepya – that which is worn like anklets (nupura); and aropya – that which is put around, for example, chains (hema-sutra) and necklaces (hara). The sacred and secular terracotta images of the period of Shunga Dynasty (c. 187-73 BC) excavated from sites such as Harinarayanpur, Chandraketugarh in West Bengal reveal fine ornamentation of early jewellery forms bearing evidence of the techniques of goldsmithing, the use of dies, the skill of working in sheet gold, repousse, granulation and filigree, gems enclosed in bezel settings. The second stamp in the series portrays a necklace with such intricate craftsmanship in gold from Taxila (c. 1^st century A.D.). Though gold was the principle raw material employed, by the 1^st century AD India was the principle supplier of diamonds and precious gems to the world. The mural paintings of Ajanta depict profuse use of pearls and lace like quality of jewellery forms.
• In the Mughal period ‘meenakari’ or enamelling, a unique combination of gems, enamel pigments and precious metals became increasingly popular. Some of the fine examples of Mughal aesthetic detailing are seen in the items of jewellery made for the nobles, such as sarpech (a turban ornament figuring in the series), thumbring, jewelled katar, kalgi, tikka etc. Ratnashastra, imbued gems and jewellery with mystic symbolism. Precious stones and gems, were imbued with medical powers and healing properties. The “navaratna” concept with nine gems in uncut form studded in amulets, was believed to symbolise the relationship between man, the planets and their reigning deities, and hence functioned as mediums between human and Divine. Navaratna jewels were commonly made in the form of rings, pendants, bangles and necklaces, and incorporated ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, topaz, diamond, sapphire, zircon and cat’s eye (navaratna necklace from c. 18^th century AD has been depicted in the series). Jewellery has always been associated with rituals for women in India. The 5^th stamp in the series depicts a ‘tali’ (19^th century AD), a marriage necklace from South India. There is a ritual of tying of ‘Mangalsutra‘ on the wedding day. There are ornaments for the hair, for the forehead, the nose ornament (nath), jhumka, koppu, thantatti and various other names for ear ornaments for women. Worship and propitiation of the elements was absorbed into jewellery design and ornaments in ancient times are seen to function as a canvas for myths and legends. The last stamp in the series depicts a ‘kanthla’ necklace (18^th century AD) from Rajasthan, forming part of “temple jewellery”.
• Text : National Museum and publications on Indian Jewellery.

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