Indian Bridal Jewelry

Without jewelry, the Indian bridal attire is incomplete. Indian bridal jewelry has special meanings attached to each and every piece that the bride wears on the wedding day. Gold is still the preferred choice for bridal jewelry in India, though there is a perceptible shift towards diamonds as well. Precious stones like jades, rubies, emeralds, garnets, amethysts and pearls are also used extensively in Indian jewelry for the bride. There are variations in the design and pattern of the jewelry depending on the particular region of the country, but the basic pieces remain the same.

Let’s take a look at some of the common items of Indian bridal jewelry.

Indian Bridal Jewelry – Common Types

Maang Tikka

Maang Tikka is basically a string, with a center piece on one end and a hook on the other. The bride wears it on the centre parting of her hair. The center piece delicately touches the forehead and draws attention to the eyebrows and eyes.

Shringar Patti

Shringar patti is used to accentuate the Maang Tikka. This bridal jewelry item adorns the forehead of the bride and is placed along the hairline, like filigree.

Mangal Sutra

Mangal sutra is the most important piece of Indian bridal jewelry. It is usually a string of black beads with a gold or diamond pendant. The groom ties the string around the bride’s neck during the wedding ceremony.

Necklace and Earrings

Necklace and earrings are perhaps the most important pieces of Indian jewelry. Bridal jewelry keeps up the tradition with a heavy neck piece along with matching, dangling earrings. The necklace and earrings are heavily ornate and usually studded with precious stones keeping in mind the color and style of the bridal dress.

Bangles

Can you imagine Indian jewelry ensemble without bangles? Bridal jewelry has bangles as an essential item. Brides in the Southern part of India typically go for broad, intricately patterned and heavy gold bangles. But in other areas of India, glass or ivory bangles in red and white are worn to keep with religious and traditional requirements.

Nose Studs and Nose Rings

Nose studs or rings in Indian jewelry can be as simple as a stud or a simple ring. A stud can be gold with a single diamond perched on top or with more elaborate stud patterns such as flowers. Bridal jewelry though, is typically a fairly large, studded nose ring, with a long chain attached to it. The chain is used to hook the jewelry in the hair above the ear, holding the nose ring in place.

Bracelet with Rings

The bracelet with rings is also called Hathphool in some parts of India. It is a strikingly beautiful piece of bridal jewelry which adorns the wrists as well as the fingers. It is a bracelet with strings attached to it. The strings have rings at the other end, which are worn on the fingers.

Finger Rings

Hathphool is more a fancy piece of bridal jewelry than a necessity. What is necessary, however, are the rings. The engagement and other rings are worn on almost all the fingers. The rings are mostly gold, studded with diamonds or other precious stones.

Waist Band

This is a heavy piece of jewelry, and not considered an essential item. Worn around the waist, it is meant to support and keep the wedding dress in place.

Arm Bands

Arm bands are also optional nowadays. Brides either wear one in each arms, or just a single piece.

Toe Ring

Toe ring is an essential part of bridal jewelry in almost all regions of India. It is considered as one of the signs of a married woman.

Anklet

Anklets are worn along with toe rings. They are made of silver or gold and have beads and other embellishments.