Raw Materials

1. Silver sheet gauge 24 which is cut into strips and used for the sides.

2. Silver sheet gauge 30 for the base.

3. Gold foil gauge 35-45 for the top surface.

4. Solder paste made from gundumani seeds.

5. Uncut semiprecious stones or artficial stones.

6. Sealing was to hold the piece in place during stone setting.

7. Sealing was mixed with kittakal (volcanic ash) for stone setting.

For the peices made in gold and set with precious stones, as in earlier days, 22 carat gold is used for the sides and the base while 24 carat gold foil is put on the top surface. Earlier 4 types of gold were used for the same purpose. Genuine diamonds, rubies and emeralds are still being used even though this is rare nowadays owing to the prohibitive prices of these pieces.