Kuchi jewelry, like the jewelry of India and other tribal places and peoples, often incorporates jewels of transparent colored glass set in with beeswax and backed with foil to reflect light in every shade of the rainbow. Shining mirrors, metallic thread, colorful beads, pom poms, cloves and other fragrant materials, bright fabrics and thousands of different kinds of dangles and bells also serve to attract the eye and ward off evil spirits.

Over the centuries, and most recently in particular, these nomadic tribes have become more settled and don't travel over the great distances that they did long ago. Wars, droughts, borders and poverty have forced them to stay within ever decreasing ranges. These days most of the people once thought of as 'Kuchi' are now settled in towns and villages where they can make a more substantive living. Young people, too, don't wish to live a semi-nomadic life and prefer to live in areas where they can find jobs and a wider social life. Jewelry making is now almost exclusively done for profit and trade with others outside their culture. Unfortunately this means that where pieces were once well-designed and made with care, the quality varies greatly from artist to artist, place to place and even piece to piece.

Trade with the US and other western countries has made the original old pieces a scarcity these days. They can still be found, but usually have a high price attached to them, especially if they are silver. Good quality collectible pieces can still be found once in a while and new pieces abound in both high and low prices and quality. A quality piece, whether new or old, can be told by a nice design, a good feel and quality construction. If you have a question about the value of a piece, do some research before buying or purchase from a reputable dealer where you can make returns if you change your mind or are not satisfied.