Types of Indian Jewellery

Jewellery has been an integral part of India’s rich heritage. Every culture right from the Indus Valley Civilization to the current generation adorns jewellery of some form or the other. The huge diversity of India has one common thing that unifies them and that is jewellery. Each culture has their own style and tradition behind their jewellery designs.

These include antique, bridal, beaded, handmade forms of jewellery and is typically made of precious metals like gold and silver, and precious gems like diamonds. There are famous Indian crafts like Jadau, Meenakari and Panchchikam from Rajasthan and Gujarat that are very popular among Indians.

Indians wear jewellery in numerous fashions, from rings, pendants and bracelets to hand harnesses and waistbands. Some of the most popular types of jewellery that Indians wear are as follows:

Kamarband

Kamarband, also called Kardhani (belly chain) is a type of jewellery worn around the waist. They are made from gold, silver or pearls that suits every body type and gives the ethnic look with sarees, lehengas or even jeans. They are made of precious metals like gold and silver and precious stones like pearls and diamonds. It comes in different fashions like beaded jewellery, Jadau jewellery, etc. It is also considered as one of the elements of Solah Shringar which defines a married woman.

Jadau Kundan Kamarband

Rani Haar

Rani haar is a heavy and long antique occasional neck piece worn by brides or during special occasions. A rani haar is known to elevate a bride’s look and give her the gorgeousness of a Queen, as the name suggests. There are a lot of variations in designs like the Jadau variety, but they are usually made of gold, silver, platinum and stones like diamonds.

Jadau Rani Haar

Antique Stone-studded Rani Haar

Bichiya

Bichiya is a toe-ring worn by Indian women. It is made of metals and alloys and can be worn on any of the toes. However, it is worn on the second toe because it is considered the longest and easiest toe to wear a ring on. Wearing toe-rings is highly practised in Indian women as it is a symbol of their married state.

Kada/Kangan

A Kada is a metal bangle worn by Indian men and women. It is mostly worn by Sikhs for religious purposes. Kangan is worn by Indian women as a jewellery. It is a rigid bangle made of gold or silver with stones studded to it. It is generally gifted by Indian mothers to their daughter-in-laws as a sign of prosperity and growth for the family.

Payal

Payal, also called ankle-chain,ankle-string or an ankle-bracelet is an anklet worn by Indian women as jewellery. It is generally made of metals, alloys and stones. It is worn on different occasions like weddings, etc.

Meenakari Payal

Nath

Nath is a nose ring worn by women. It comes in various designs and shapes and can be made of metals, non-metals with stones studded to it. It is considered an essential part of Indian culture and is worn all over the country. However, in the southern part of the country, women wear nose rings on the right nostril and in the northern side, women wear it on the left nostril. It is a symbol of marriage in Indian women and piercing one’s nose is considered an act of respect to Goddess Parvati.

Beaded Nose ring

Maang Tikka

A Maang Tikka is a piece of antique jewellery ornament worn by women as a part of their bridal wardrobe. The ornament has a hair pin at one end and a hanging jewellery at the other end, which lies between the woman’s hairline. Although traditionally the ornament was worn mostly by brides, in today’s time any woman can wear it, both as a fashion statement as well as for special occasions..

Mattha Patti

A Matha Patti is also a headgear ornament that compliments a Maang Tikka. It is worn along the hairline and elaborates the beauty of the bride when worn along with a Maang Tikka.

Jhumkas

A Jhumka is an earring which has been traditionally worn by Indian women. They have an antique yet trendy look, with intricate and elaborate designs which make it a must-have for women of all ages. The word ‘Jhumka’ refers to the traditional bell-shaped earring designs of India although over the years new designs have picked up on the trend.

Bajuband

A Bajuband, also called, Ananta/Angada is an armlet worn around the upper part of the arm, above the elbows. It was traditionally only worn by men but gradually women started wearing it as well. Initially, women wore a bajuband on both arms but in recent times, a single arm bajuband became more popular. Bajuband is also an important part of a woman’s Solah Shringar and hence is an important part of jewellery.

Kundan Jhallar Bajubandh

Haath Phool

Haath Phool is a bridal accessory and has become a party-wear in recent times. It is also called Haath Kamal and Haath Panja. Haath Phool is an elegant hand bracelet that extends to rings through one or multiple chains connected to the bracelet or bangle. It was worn by Persian Queens and the Mughals made it popular in India. It comes in various designs and shapes for various purposes, from bridal-wear to party-wear.