Indian Jewelry – An Indispensable Fashion Accessory for Indian Women

As in many parts of the world, accessories such as jewelry are an indispensable part of Indian culture. You will rarely see an Indian woman who is not wearing jewelry. There is a wide range of Indian jewelry available. Jewelry styles vary from region to region. Each regional culture in India boasts a unique type of jewelry. Gold jewelry is preferred by women in most of India but in Rajasthan, silver is the metal of choice. Indian jewelry made of gold and silver is often inlaid with semi-precious stones like amber, coral, rubies, and turquoise.

The Types of Indian Jewelry
Different types of Indian jewelry include temple jewelry, antique jewelry, costume jewelry, South Indian jewelry, Meenakari jewelry, and costume jewelry.  South Indian jewelry is characterized by the use of rudraksha beads, which are thought to possess spiritual value.  The popularity of South Indian jewelry made of rudraksha beads has spread throughout India.  In Northern India and Rajasthan, Meenakari jewelry is very popular.  Meenakari jewelry is either made of made of kundan that is embedded in silver or gold and precious beads and stones.  Kundan jewelry pieces come from Rajasthan and can be found in a variety of different colors. 

Antique jewelry usually comes in oxidized gold or silver while temple jewelry is worn by people who perform folk dances and others who want to represent traditional Indian culture.  The design and motifs found in temple jewelry represent various elements in nature.  Temple jewelry such as chunky bracelets and necklaces were used to adorn statues at Indian temples.  Eventually, temple dancers started wearing the same style of jewelry.  Costume jewelry is a favorite amongst fashionable Indian women who like to follow the latest trends.  In India, costume jewelry that is made of coconut wood, jute, water beads, and ceramics is abundant.  Costume jewelry comes in more modern designs than other types of jewelry and is less expensive to boot.  You can find neck chokers, necklaces, forehead tikkas, bangles, earrings, and much more.

In many areas of India, married women wear a mangal-sutra necklace, which is a necklace made out of black and gold beads.  These beads are considered sacred.  It is traditional to never leave your hands bare in Indian culture so many women wear bangles on their wrists.  You can find bangles made of gold, silver, or colorful glass in India.  In Rajasthan, women wear bangles that reach up to their shoulders.  In the rural areas of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, it is common to find women wearing ornate nose rings. 

Most Indian women do not wear jewelry for the sake of showing off their social status.  Wearing jewelry is seen as an effective way to beautify one’s appearance and look presentable at work, school, or any social event.  However, at traditional Indian weddings, bridal jewelry is a mark of one’s social status.  Indian women like to adorn themselves in beautiful Indian jewelry from head to toe in order to complement their attire. 

Traditional Indian wedding ceremonies are lavish affairs where people dance, listen to music, and eat delicious foods.  Bridal Indian jewelry that brides wear at their ceremonies is equally as extravagant.  Some essential pieces of jewelry at Indian weddings include necklaces, arm bands, bangles, maangtika, earrings, nose ring, ring bracelets, anklets, and finger rings. 

Maangtika jewelry is designer bridal jewelry that is typically made of diamonds and pearls.  Sometimes maangtika jewelery can also be found in the form of a crown.  Ornate nose rings that match the color of the earrings are also a popular adornment at traditional Indian wedding ceremonies.  Sometimes brides wear a nath, which is a studded nose ring with a long chain that connects to the hair.

Spiritual Jewelry
In traditional Indian culture, it was considered highly auspicious to wear jewelry during important events.  The type of jewelry worn during special occasions had spiritual significance.  For example, the Ganesha pendant was a popular style of spiritual jewelry featuring the elephant-headed god and it signified good fortune.  Another spiritual symbol that is popular in Indian jewelry is that of OM.

Other Types of Jewelry that Are Popular in India
Other popular styles of jewelry in India include Mughal jewelry, or Persian jewelry.  Mughal jewelry was brought to India by Persians and continues to be very popular.  Mughal jewelry features designs and motifs that are inspired by nature such as vines, mangoes, leaves, birds, and flowers.  Navrattan jewelry is a Bengali style of jewelry with pieces that are comprised by nine precious stones thought to symbolize the nine planets.  Stones used in Navrattan jewelry include emerald, turquoise, cat’s eye, and sapphire. 

Indian jewelry played an important role in the country’s past and dates back to the Mohenjodaro and Harappan times, when ornate jewelry was designed to worship the gods.  Today, Indian jewelry is considered to be one of the most beautiful and intricate types of jewelry in the world.  There are a wide range of pieces you can choose from and they coordinate well with most types of attire.  Enhance your femininity and accessorize in style with beautiful Indian jewelry.