Jewels of Autumn
-by Jordan Clary
During November’s full moon, the Khasi’s annual Nongrem Festival in Smit Village concludes with a dance that begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. The preceding days have included prayers, rituals and sacrifices and the dancers have not slept for over 24 hours.
The dance begins with a single young woman making her way slowly around the field. Finally, she is joined by other young women and girls--all of whom must be virgins, and they progress throughout the day in slow, trance-like movements. To demonstrate their modesty, they keep their eyes cast toward the ground. The men, who range from young boys to older men, circle them in simulation of the warriors’ protective role.
The Khasis are the indigenous people of Meghalaya, India in the far northeast and their lineage stretches into a past beyond recorded history. They are a people not easily defined, although their culture is intrinsically woven together with the natural environment. Some are Christians. Some Hindus. Others practice an ancient earth-based animist religion. Proud and independent, they strive to keep their traditions alive in today’s age of globalization and modernity.
Their jewelry reflects their individuality and the evolved tribal craftsmanship. Some say that the Khasis use the purest gold in all of India. Until recent times, the Khasi royalty had their own jewelers. Coral is used prominently and their silver is finely engraved. Both men and women deck themselves out in all their finest jewelry during annual festivals such as the Nongrem Dance.Today much of the Khasi jewelry is gold plated rather than pure gold, although traditional jewelers can still be found in Shillong’s Bara Bazaar and in some villages. The royal family continue to wear pure gold in the ceremonies.
The Nongrem Dance is a ritual of thanksgiving. This is the time of year when the crops are harvested and the storehouses are filled for winter. Part festive and part solemn, the days-long observance ends with a goat sacrifice that will feed villages throughout Meghalaya.
Click here if you'd like to read my blog post about the goat sacrifice following the dance
 The women keep their eyes downcast as a sign of modesty
 The 3 silver arrows that the warriors wear symbolize that he will fight for his life, for his family and for his country.  The men in white are Khasis, but from a different area than the main dancers.
 This last photo is of the Khasi royal family. Their gold is all real--no plated here!
JEA Free Seminars
JEA will be present at the Hotel Arizona during the Tucson Gem Show from Monday January 30, to Sunday February 5, 2012. Members of the board will be available to meet with members and prospective members at any time during the gem shows.
The following free seminars will be held on the listed dates and times in the Presidio Lounge of the Hotel Arizona. Non-JEA members may attend by filling out the registration form to sign up.
Tuesday Jan. 31:
- 6:30pm David Fortier – TBA
David is a graduate gemologist, colored gemstone dealer, and owner of The Gem Vault who divides his time between the gemstone markets of Chanthaburi and USA.
Wednesday Feb. 1:
- 6:30pm Dan Cooper – ”Natural Sapphire: Availability & Demand”
Dan Cooper is a graduate gemologist, gemstone dealer, lapidarist and owner of GemCuts International specializing in natural unheated sapphire.
Register for GILC
Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference (GILC)
Tucson, AZ
January 30, 2012
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Tucson Convention Center
If you are a JEA member wishing to attend the GILC conference and have already contacted us to add your name, you may click here to register online.
On the registration page enter your name, your company name and "JEA".
If you are a JEA member who would like to attend, please use the "email us" link on the left hand side of this newsletter and include your name and company name.
GIA Tucson Party - Join Us!
Annual Dinner, Auction, and Dance Party
Sponsored by the GIA Alumni Association
Friday, February 3, 2012
6:30 – 11 pm
Marriott University Park Hotel
Tucson, Arizona
JEA Member and GIA student Margo B. is reserving a table (or two) for the GIA dinner in hopes that you will join us! Cost for the evening is $50.00 per person and includes: Silent auction, buffet dinner, no-host cocktails, dancing and live auction. If you are a JEA member and would like to join us, please confirm no later than Sunday, December 11 by phone: 360-652-9434 or click here to email us.
Jewelers Ethics Association Reception
JEA members attending the reception can look for their first batch of invitation post cards to arrive at the begining of January. Feel free to mail these invitations to customers and vendors that will be in Tucson for the gem shows.
Reception begins at 6:00pm. Save the date for our first annual reception. If you have any comments or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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