Lac or Lakh comes from the resinous secretion of certain insects of the family of scale insects, almost like the caterpillar of the bombyx is used for the secretion of silk thread. Carmine is also from a species of scale insect. The branches of host trees, called Sticklac are crushed and sieved and washed to remove impurities. The material obtained has the form of small grains, called Seedlac. It is produced in several states of India.

Lac or Lakh in India

In India, Lakh is worked by craftsmen and shaped by heating. The craftsman keeps an open flame as it hardened very quickly as it cools. The jewel, once shaped can be painted, polished, carved or inlaid. The Lac material allows all kinds of jewelry like bangles, earrings, necklaces, rings, etc..

Jewelry Lac are very traditional and very popular for Indian women. Before synthetic dyes, Lac dye was also widely used in India for dyeing wool and silk as well as cosmetic.