Taj Mahal Earrings: Instruction Sheet (downloadable)

©2015 by Cynthia Rutledge

This is a love story that has stood the test of time, by leaving to the world a tangible dedication of devotion, companionship and passion. The Taj Mahal (Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India), considered to be the Crown of Palaces, was built to house the worldly remains of Emperor Shan Jahan’s number three wife, Arjumand Banu Begum (1593 – 1631).

As a testament to the love of his life, Shan Jahan gave his wife the new name of “Mumtaz Mahal”, meaning the “Jewel of the Palace” or the “Chosen One of the Palace”. Their relationship was well documented by court historians, and Mumtaz Mahal was
said to have been a great beauty, with tremendous grace and compassion. Shan Jahan considered her to be the love of his life.

Paintings of Mumtaz Mahal show her beautifully dressed in patterned silks and embroidery with hennaed hands and feet. Her gold jewelry included a beautiful fan-shaped headdress set with gemstones and hair ornaments encrusted with pearls. Earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and anklets add the finishing touches to this elegant ladies’ costume.

My inspiration for Taj Mahal Earrings came from the fabric pattern on Mumtaz Mahal’s gown and the beautiful gold jewelry that adorns her in the painting. I think that this painting is a testament to all Indian women and their connection to the glory of
adornment.

A set CZ embellishes a teardrop three-dimensional shape. Created out of peyote stitch, this teardrop swings at the bottom of this beautiful earring, offering movement. Three smaller teardrop shapes are made similarly, connected to each other, and hang from a beautiful crystal set pair of ear wires.

Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

Dimensions:
These very lightweight earrings are 3 ¼ inches long counting the ear wire and ½ inch wide at the widest point.

Techniques:
Flat circular peyote stitch
Even-count, tubular peyote stitch with decreasing
Stitching-in-the-ditch
Setting CZ’s

Materials List:
2 white (or any color) 3mm round CZ’s - order here
2 grams 15° seed beads (main) (A)
1 gram 15° seed beads (accent) (B)
3.5 grams 11° cylinder beads (Delica) (C) that matches the A & D beads
2.5 grams 11° seed beads (main) (D) that matches the A & C beads
1 gram 11° seed beads for accent (E) that matches the B beads
6 crystal AB 2mm Swarovski crystals
2 gold-filled or sterling silver 3mm round, 6 prong settings - order here
1 pair of beautiful ear wires that have loops - order here
Nylon beading thread to match the A, C and D beads
Red Tacky Tape (2 inches of ½” wide) - order here
Microcrystalline wax, optional, but highly recommended

Tools:
2 size 12 beading needles
Small sharp scissors
Thread burner
Step gauge (optional, but helpful)
1 wooden needle case to use as a stone setting tool
1 pair Teflon-coated craft scissors to cut the tape
1 pair of jewelry grade chain nose pliers
Beading surface of choice
Magnification if needed
Lighting and extension cord