Saffron-clad holy men. Red-swathed brides. Blushing marigolds. Blue-skinned Gods. 

A besotted traveler once christened India to have the "largest color palette in the known universe." Every inch of India's landscape bears testimony to this fact. Color is the most vibrant way we express our identity as people. Because color speaks directly to man's emotion, India's riot of color arouses a tempest of sensation. Yet, the clash of colors has a bold and balanced aesthetic all on its own. Syna celebrates the often whimsical, always radiant inner spirit that manifests itself in the technicolor face of India. 

SAFFRON

Saffron carries a more powerful message than any other color in India. In the robes of the sadhu and the ubiquitous marigold offering is the stamp of spirituality that every Indian knows at a glance. 

PEACOCK BLUE

Peacock Blue is an indescribable mix of green-blue-gold, yet iconic of the nation. The color of playful divinity, peacock blue is India's unique signature color.

GOLD

Gold has a unique value in India. Gold on a bride's attire and golden grains of wheat are equally precious. Gold paper tassels and gilt baubles in every bazaar allow every man his share of the riches. 

WHITE

White marble monuments, jasmine offerings, saltpans, ash on a forehead. There is no one Indian white. Everywhere, a new shade tells a new story. 

PINK

Pink is always a shout of color in India. Whether in a dew-bathed lotus, a heap of "gulaal" or a turban, pink reflects the nation: hot, bright, ravishing, never subtle.

BLACK 

Black temple carvings. Gleaming midnight stone idols. Black marks to ward off the evil eye. India understands the mystical, magical power of black, and knows how to use it well. 

INDIGO

Indigo in a hundred shades soothes the eye. deep blue stone, indigo dye, aqua coastline, delicate blue pottery. All under the arc of a fiercely blue sky.

RED

Red sandstone, red brick, red mud. Fiery sunrises and sunsets. India's very skin and sky radiate a hundred shades of passionate red.

YELLOW

Yellow splashed on highway trucks, on lemons hung over doors, and on fried bananas. India is alive with the color of hope and sunshine. 

SILVER

Silver could well be India's national metal. From auspicious coins to anklets to temple idols to silver embroidery, India is a nation in love with silver.

BROWN

Brown mud walls lovingly adorned. Brown pots baking in the sun. Brown spice, brown rope, brown earth. If India's color palette were a symphony, brown would surely be the bass. 

GREEN

The green of the paan leaf and the paddy filed, of the temple pond, and a spread of fresh chilies. Green is India's flag of ripe fertility. 

Part of any worthwhile journey involves looking to the past for inspiration, and we embrace this practice at Syna. Our Mogul collection was our first collection as a brand, and it struck a chord with Syna customers as much as it struck a chord with us. 

Why did we choose Mogul as our first collection? Well, the Mogul era, which flourished from the 16th to the 18th century in India, brought Islamic and Hindu cultures into harmony and placed great emphasis on human rights, art, and culture. The works of art that emerged out of that period continue to delight and entrance artists - including us! - to this day. We continuously find new inspiration from studying the art of this period. For our first collection, we wanted to honor that tradition by combining its timeless patterns and themes with elegant, modern design.

As you know from our story (https://synajewels.com/pages/about-us), we immigrated to the United States from India in 2003. Our life since then has been one of alchemy - discovering the challenges and joys of learning an entirely new culture while leaning on our cultural past for stability and strength. In many ways, that is a reflection of what was happening during the Mogul era in India. The artists of the Mogul Empire created immortal masterpieces that have become synonymous with India by combining Islamic designs from Persia and Central Asia with the older Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions of India.

Architecture was the primary vehicle of artistic expression during that time. The most famous example of Mogul architecture is the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built by Mogul emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. But many examples of Mogul architecture just as inspiring as the Taj Mahal can be found in the city of Jaipur. The city itself is a work of art, one that merges eastern and western ideas of urban design. The city’s designer, Jai Singh II, arranged the city’s streets and districts in a very modern-looking grid system inspired by European urban planning while also incorporating ideas from vāstu śāstra (Sanskrit for “science of architecture”).

The city’s plan itself is visually appealing, but even more beautiful are its many temples and palaces. They are powerful, monumental designs, but they also display an incredible sophistication, featuring row upon row of columns, arches, arcades, windows, and parapets.

A Union of Strength and Delicacy

But as powerful as these edifices are, a closer inspection reveals an abundance of delicate details, such as the intricate, dazzling latticework that Mogul architecture is so famous for. Screens called jaalis, carved from sandstone, divided rooms while allowing breezes to pass through interiors.

Patterns that proliferate like vines or branches, looking more like the work of nature than the hand of an artist, decorate interiors and exteriors alike. Curves, arches, and domes break up the hard geometry of stone. There is an almost fractal effect created, revealing new levels of detail the closer you get.

Pieces like the Mogul Motif Charm and Mogul Diamond Medallion Pendant capture the sophisticated balance of strength and elegance found throughout Mughal architecture. Powerful and dramatic from a distance, but delicate and detailed up close, these pieces are perfect for anyone looking to make a statement with their accessories.

Painting experienced a renaissance alongside architecture during the Mogul era. Mogul painters painted in brilliant, jewel-like colors. Some painters even used gold, silver, and crushed precious stones in their paints. In the paintings of this era, hues reminiscent of ruby, sapphire, lapis lazuli, and turquoise pop against earthy emerald and gold backgrounds. Beads and cabochons allow strong colors to stand out and make a statement, as in our Mogul Bead Earrings, Necklace, and Pendant, Mogul Turquoise Diamond Earrings, and Opal & Pink Spinel Bead Necklace.

Mogul Motifs

Peacocks and swords are two motifs that show up often in Mogul art. The peacock had long been a symbol of joy and beauty in Hinduism, and the throne of the Mogul emperors was the Peacock Throne. The prominence of the peacock continues today, as the peacock became India’s national bird the new republic gained independence in 1947. Our Large Mogul Motif Peacock Pendant captures the magic of the peacock in an elegant combination of oxidized silver, champagne diamonds, and intricate 18k gold details in a design that shimmers with all the complexity of the peacock’s tail.

As we said here, the sword symbolizes valor, comfort, and safety. In the Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism), the sword is also a symbol of wisdom cutting through the veil of ignorance. This is why some deities are often depicted brandishing a sword. You can exude that same confidence and power with the Mogul Sword Pendants and Mogul Sword Ring. 

On the one hand, the designs of the Mogul collection, like the art of the Mogul era, are simple, balanced, and bold. On the other, they are sophisticated, intricate, and elegant. And like the tradition that inspired them, they combine diverse cultural influences to create something that harmonizes various elements into a striking whole that transforms the magnificence of the Mogul emperors for modern sensibilities.

Since time immemorial, jewelry has been a statement of self and an expression of belief, personality, and identity. For many, the precious stones and metals used in jewelry are believed to have talismanic and mystical benefits, granting balance, spiritual guidance, and strength. Our Navratna Mogul Bead Necklace is one such piece. This exceptionally crafted piece will transform any outfit into a stunning statement. Its beauty lies in the way that the nine distinct gems integrate into a cohesive, balanced, and powerful package.

According to Vedic astrology, all living beings are influenced by the nine heavenly bodies or celestial deities—the Navagrahas—each one corresponding to one of the planets visible to the naked eye, the sun, and the moon. Each of these nine “grahas” has a gem associated with it and can regulate its associated celestial body’s cosmic rays. A precise arrangement of these gems produces a cosmic balance and wards off negative karmic energies.

In the Navratna Mogul Bead Necklace, you’ll find a heavenly arrangement of ruby, pearl, red coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, garnet, and cat’s eye, with each carefully selected gem carrying its own celestial significance.

Associated with the fire of the sun,Ruby forms the central element of the Navratna. This sparkling red gemstone improves leadership and independence and grants unwavering focus while protecting the wearer from negative energy and psychic attacks.

Flawless, unblemishedPearlrepresents the moon and revitalizes mental health and stability. Its feminine energy encourages purity, contentment, and faith.

Red Coralis connected with energetic Mars and enlivens the person wearing it. The richness and depth of its color will have you feeling perceptive, courageous, and vital, empowered to achieve all of your goals.

Mercury is considered the planet of intellect and communication, and its benefits are regulated by the pristineEmerald. This gem stimulates mental control and memory and enhances eloquence.

Yellow Sapphireis governed by Jupiter, which embodies the qualities of wisdom, compassion, and enthusiasm. This intriguing gem will bring you closer to joy and good fortune.

Diamondbrings luxury, pleasure, and wealth into your life, a fitting representative of opulent Venus.

Blue Sapphire, when worn in conjunction with the other stones, balances the adverse effects associated with Saturn. The delicate and dreamy gem helps you gain humility, maturity, and tolerance.

The final two gems regulate the effects of the ascending and descending lunar nodes. The lunar node is the point at which the moon crosses the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun.Garnetneutralizes the negative energy of Rahu, the ascending lunar node, bringing an invigorating wave of relief from depression and anxiety. The alluringCat’s Eyebrings out the positive effects of Ketu, the descending lunar node, providing you with clarity, encouraging spiritual awakening, and sharpening your intuition.

The Navratnas orbit with an enthralling beauty, rich with meaning and cosmic potency. Accentuate your charm and embrace the divine powers by bringing together these magnificent gemstones. This Mogul masterpiece will resonate with your soul and is sure to be revered for centuries to come, just as it has been throughout history.

Syna’s iconic Mogul Drops speaks most to our Indian heritage; the shape of the hand-cut gems is inspired by the traditional red Tilak – a Hindu symbol of victory, success and fortune – placed on the forehead. Celebrating our culture, and this being such a strong part of who we are, also brings in a greater appreciation of other cultures.

Gemstones take center stage in the timeless Mogul collection. Bright luminous madeira citrines, intense purple amethysts from Brazil, along with precious stones – sourced from mines in South Africa and Australia – are cut and shaped at our family-owned lapidary in Jaipur.

 The Mogul drops draw on ancient techniques as well as the meticulous artistry of our craftsmen. The roughs are marked with extreme precision to extract color and quality, while maintaining a desired minimum weight – 20 carats, 50 carats, and 100 carats. A clean high-end rough, weighing more than 250-300 carats, makes the perfect choice of material to shape up a beautiful 100-carat tear drop.

Capped with resin, the stone is polished and transformed from its ‘pre-form’ state into a big shiny drop – expert hands and nimble fingers polish the gems into perfectly shaped teardrops each time. 

Simplicity and love of color are at the core of Syna’s precious Mogul drop pendants that feature natural gemstones – moon quartz, blue topaz, lemon quartz, rock crystal, rubellite, tourmaline, peridot, London blue topaz, chalcedony, lavender quartz, rose quartz, prehnite, lapis lazuli, smoky quartz, coral, turquoise, black onyx, and black spinel.

In the past, we have explored exotic materials such as mammoth ivory, green amber, ebony wood, Ethiopian opal, sleeping beauty turquoise, and Tahitian pearls. At Syna, we are on an endless search to source gorgeous colored stones and uncommon materials in which to render the drops.

The Mogul gem drops feature gold caps, trimmed with a line of diamonds or paved with diamonds, while custom-designed gold Mogul drops have a smattering of diamonds. The pendants can be strung on gold or blackened silver chains; leather cords too are a great way to style the Mogul drops. 

For thousands of years, swords have symbolized valor, comfort, and safety, conjuring a feeling of courage when you most need it. But the sword also symbolizes intelligence, problem-solving, and the courage to put that knowledge to good use—there’s a reason smart people are called “sharp.” With a tight grip on the situation, they can cut through the problem and get to the point.

Life can take you by surprise sometimes. With its legacy of love, triumph, bravery, sacrifice, power, and peace, let the symbol of the sword act as your benign harbor and anchor you to what’s most important and bind you to those you love. The majestic sword is a sacred totem that is used to take proud oaths. It is a symbol of pride and a reflection of the honor of the one who bears it and the trust of the one who bestowed it. 

A magnificent fusion of swords and dazzling gold is all set to transform your dreams of triumphant prowess into an astounding reality. Soak in the potent magnetism of this iconic masterpiece, and embrace the mystical power of the sword. Stride forward with unbreakableamour propre­ (self-esteem) and confidence and make a valiant statement with this wondrous combination of sword pendant and sword ring.

The Sword Pendant is an authentic masterpiece carved out of charismatic 18K yellow gold. This exquisitely crafted pendant is embedded with dazzling champagne diamonds that imbue a sense of personality and elegance. The hues of enchanting emerald cabochons bring a captivatingly regal finish to this marvel. The nobility, strength, and humility of the sword pendant infused with the iridescence of the sparkling diamonds and emeralds add a flawless elegance.

This sword pendant comes in two styles, an all-gold version and one with oxidized silver. Both styles are embellished with champagne diamonds and precious gemstones (emerald, ruby, or sapphire). The champagne diamonds surround and intensify the lush green of the emeralds, the hypnotic essence of the rubies, or the tranquil depth of the sapphires.

The supple sword ring entwines your finger with grace while the dazzling diamonds enrapture you with their aura. When faced with a difficult decision, close your eyes and let the sword point you in the right direction.

Swear by the sword and thrive under the protection of this pair of ornate guardians. Relish in its eternal essence that simply reverberates within your very soul.

Though it is native to the Indian subcontinent, the majestic peacock has been capturing the imagination of people around the world for millennia. It has certainly captured ours! Today, they are seen as proud creatures who love showing off their beautiful plumage in extravagant mating displays, but there is far more to the peacock, the national bird of India than simply showing off.

So much of our inspiration comes from an appreciation of form and pattern in both the natural world and the manmade environment. The peacock has been an inspiration for artists since ancient times, and we are no different. We’re just as captivated by this creature as the artisans who carved its curving features into temple walls, the artists who painted them in impossibly vibrant blues and greens, or the poets who saw in them a symbol of love. The wonder of the peacock soon spread around the world. King Solomon brought peacocks to his garden in Jerusalem, Alexander the Great introduced them to Greece, and Roman statesman Pliny the Elder wrote about their singular beauty.

When you see him walking with his flock, the peacock already stands out with its long train of feathers, bright blue neck, and crown tipped with little blue drops like sapphires. He graces farms and villages, even city streets, with his presence, as though he knows but doesn’t care that all eyes are on him.

But then he shimmies, and from his back unfurls a fan of feathers: from what looks like a cluster of gold coins emerges a golden net of gilded thread adorned with eyes of green and blue gemstones. In our peacock-inspired designs, we’ve chosen tsavorite, blue topaz, and blue diamonds to capture these hues, which are unlike anything else in the animal kingdom. In nature, this kind of beauty is typically reserved for the males of the species, but why should they have all the fun?

When the peacock reveals its bejeweled plumage, it’s like he’s let you in on some cosmic secret that cannot be put into words. The ritual is intended to attract a mate, but sometimes, a peacock will dance alone, as though for its own pleasure. It’s more than just beautiful. The peacock isn’t showing off; the performance is for him alone. Perhaps that’s why the peacock represents wisdom in some Buddhist traditions.

Peacocks don’t keep this beauty year-round. The molting season begins in December when peacocks scatter their feathers like gemstones in a riverbed. These feathers are said to bring good luck and prosperity to those who hold onto them.

The Mogul emperors sat on a throne adorned with dancing peacocks and studded with hundreds of precious gemstones. Extravagant yet elegant, indulgent yet refined, and delicately powerful, the throne not only embodied the beauty of the peacock but the essence we hope to capture in our peacock-themed pieces.

Jaipur is a city close to our hearts. With its sublime architecture, magical colors, and vibrant culture, it’s a place that has a lot to offer to artists and dreamers of all types. Indeed, Jaipur lives in the imaginations of people all over the world, enchanting all who visit. It’s a tourist destination not only for international travelers, but for people from other parts of India, as well. But no matter where they’re from, visitors to the city can’t help but fall in love with the city’s magic. And you’ll find a piece of the magic of Jaipur in our jewelry, both literally and figuratively: not only is the city an inspiration, but it is also home to the world’s greatest lapidaries, and it is where all our stones are cut and polished.

Located in the state of Rajasthan, between the tropical forests of the east and the Great Indian Desert of the west, Jaipur is a city at a geographical crossroads. It’s a crossroads in another sense, too, a mix of past and present, a vibrant, modern city where history comes alive. Beyond the resorts and popular historic attractions, you can find yourself strolling through a neighborhood of high-rise apartments and office buildings one minute, and the next minute you’re peering through a line of trees at a magnificent sandstone haveli (mansion) built in the Mogul style, combining elements of Islamic and Indian art.

Timelessness

There’s a sense of timelessness to be found on the city’s narrow streets that lie beyond the wide main thoroughfares. Parts of the city are exactly as they were 100, 200, 300 years ago, with buildings dating back to the city’s founding in the 1700s. These places are the city’s soul, and you can feel its vitality in the old frescoes, in the arcaded walkways, in the street vendors selling everything from food to rugs to gemstones. The city itself is a work of art, but like all great works of art, there is a great deal of thought and planning behind it. Jaipur’s original architects designed the city by combining European urban planning theories with an Indian design philosophy called vāstu śāstra, bringing together the best of what the world has to offer. Whether you’re designing a city or a piece of jewelry, you have to keep your eyes open to different styles and different approaches. It’s how you create something original and timeless.

But it’s not just the buildings that are beautiful. The people of Jaipur embody the timeless sense of the city. You’ll hear many languages spoken, a mix of modern and traditional attire, and many different cultural traditions practiced, but what the people there have in common is a real joie de vivre that some might find lacking in the denizens of larger cities. This warm disposition goes hand-in-hand with living in a beautiful city full of parks, lively bazaars, and historic buildings that carry the rich and creative tradition of the Mughal era into the 21st century.

Craftmanship

Everywhere you look you’ll find craftsmanship, whether in the small restaurants serving kachori and lassi or in the towering edifices of Jaipur’s famous palaces. It is clear that the city’s architects valued both the function of a place and its aesthetic. The pink sandstone of the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, or any of the city’s other iconic buildings that give the city its nickname, can appear pastel in the sunlight, bright orange in morning, berry in the shadows of afternoon, and sandy on a cloudy day. Like a well-cut gemstone, different light, different weather, even different seasons give the Pink City a different character. When arrested by the beauty of these places, you begin to understand that the two aren’t separate, form and function, but work together to make a thing what it is. What it does and how it makes you feel can’t be separated. That is the union of art and craft that we try to bring to everything we do.