People do not like to spend much on the goldsmith's labour or skill which fetches no value on the reconversion of the ornaments into cash. As a result we find that except for the patronage of a few princes of old or rich persons ornaments are but specimens of clumsy form and workmanship. Gold ornaments are simply hammered or punched into shape or rudely engraved and are practically never cast or moulded. They are often made hollow from thin plate or leaf, the interior being filled with lac. So also is the case with silver which is also rarely cast.
Ornaments differ in type as used by men and women and by boys and girls.
They are worn on the head, in the ears, in the nose, on the neck, across the shoulders, on the arms, wrists and fingers, round the waist, on the legs and on the toes. They differ according to the caste and community and also as used by males, females, boys and girls. Brahman, and Maratha woman will not have ornaments for the head and arms of any baser metal than gold. Other castes should, if they can afford it, wear only gold on the head. Gold and silver in ornaments is also considered to have a protective magical effect, like that attribute to charms and amulets.