Different Varieties of Indian Bridal Jewelry Preferred By Indian Brides

Indian Brides

Jewelry is a vital part of the bridal costume for every Indian bride. Usually, gold or silver jewelry items are preferred by all brides in India. However, Kundan jewelry, pearl jewelry, gem-studded jewelry, and diamond jewelry are purchased by rich Indian families for their brides. They may also personalize old jewelry inherited from their mothers or grandmothers, to render a new and modern look to those ornaments.

North Indian Bridal Jewelry – A North Indian wedding comprises several functions before and after the wedding ceremony. Thus, North Indian brides need to buy lots of jewelry to wear on all these special occasions. A necklace or choker with matching earrings can be chosen for the Mehendi ceremony, where minimum jewelry is desired with a gorgeous lehenga. For Sangeet, the bride can wear a grand maang tikka, a pair of Payal with chimes on her feet, a stylish bracelet or Kada on her wrists, and a unique ring. North Indian bridal jewelry can be traditional gold or Kundan jewelry set, comprising a choker, a long necklace, earrings, anklets, nose ring, bangles, and rings. Some brides also prefer contemporary jewelry designs and like to wear lesser jewelry with only a majestic necklace and some lightweight ornaments of unique looks.

North Indian Bridal Jewelry

South Indian Bridal Jewelry – South Indian brides traditionally prefer to wear vibrant colored silk sarees and heavy gold jewelry on their wedding days. Ornaments with stone-setting are also popular among South Indian women. Since most South Indian marriages are held in temples, brides like to wear temple jewelry that consists of a choker, jhumkas or temple-shaped earrings, armbands, and specially designed pendants. Brides can find a wide range of choices while buying diamond necklaces and cocktail rings for their weddings. Kasu Mala or Kasulaperu is a special neckpiece made of gold coins, with the image of Goddess Lakshmi embossed on each coin. Mango Malai is a necklace made of mango-shaped small pieces of gold, which perfectly matches with a gorgeous Kanjeevaram saree. Vaddanam is a kamarband or waist chain made of gold or silver, with the image of Goddess Lakshmi or any modern motif etched in the centre. Maang tika is very popular among all South Indian brides, with different varieties of designs. Vanki or armband, Satlada haar or seven-layered necklace, and Jada billa or the jewelry for braids are also common here.

South Indian Bridal Jewelry

Hindu Bridal Jewelry – A Hindu bride will always wear a beautiful necklace, earrings, nose ring, bangles, maang tika, waistband, anklets, toe rings, and Hathphool or hand harness. All these jewelry pieces are usually made of gold, diamonds, pearls, and other expensive stones. The designs of these jewelry pieces vary from traditional to contemporary styles, matching the bridal dress and other accessories. Many Hindu brides prefer ornaments of antique designs that were used by their ancestors. A lightweight maang tika or gem-studded Matha Patti with decorated chains on both sides can be included in the Hindu bridal costume. Rani Haar is a long necklace with many strands of gold or pearls, which renders a royal look to the wearer.

Hindu Bridal Jewelry

Islamic Bridal Jewelry – Muslim brides often follow the Arabic style of wearing ornaments during their wedding ceremony. They prefer to wear large earrings, preferably made of gold. As they wear hijab even on their wedding day, a hijab pin can be used to highlight this dress piece. They may wear a customized pendant, which can be the initials of the bride and groom, or simply the name of the bride written in Arabic. For the wedding ceremony, Islamic bridal ornaments include gold necklaces, earrings, and bracelets or bangles. However, many modern brides now prefer artificial jewelry at much cheaper costs. Imam Zamin is a gold-plated armband that is tied on the arm of the bride by her brother. Passa or Jhumar is a jewelry piece worn on the head, rendering a royal look to the bride. Hath phool is a three-finger or five-finger ring connected by ornamented chains.

Islamic Bridal Jewelry

Punjabi Bridal Jewelry – Punjabi brides are known for wearing lots of jewelry on their wedding day, to match their gorgeous red salwar suits. They prefer to wear some traditional ornaments, designs of which may have been modernized now. Matha Patti or Maang tika is the foremost ornament that adorns the bride’s head, complementing her heavily embroidered red dupatta. She may choose a Shikarpuri nath that is a nose ring with a tiny pendant attached to a chain. However, many modern brides also prefer just a small nose pin called Laung. Punjabi women love to wear Bali, Jhumka, or Chandbali as their bridal earrings, as well as hoop earrings of gold. Choker and elongated Rani haar are the common types of necklaces that brides usually wear in Punjab. As the common tradition for an Indian bride, chudis or kada make her Mehendi-painted hands more look beautiful. Chooda and Kalire are the special Punjabi bridal jewelry pieces that every bride wears on her wedding day. Pajeb is a beautiful anklet of Punjabi design that may be attached with tiny bells to make sweet sounds while walking.

Punjabi Bridal Jewelry

Christian Bridal Jewelry – Wedding ring is the most important wedding jewelry for a Christian bride. Small, diamond or pearl studs match well with white wedding gowns. Brides from Christian families may wear antique necklace sets that they inherit from their mothers or grandmothers. They may wear designer gold anklets or payals as per the common Indian custom. They wear gold bangles or gem-studded bracelets, matching their other ornaments. They love to wear ornaments studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, yellow sapphires, white stones, and amethysts despite high costs of these jewelry pieces.

Christian Bridal Jewelry

Now, junk jewelry is also gaining popularity for an Indian bride, due to its remarkable varieties of designs and extremely affordable costs for common people. Brides buy ornaments according to their choice and budget set for their weddings. The bridal jewelry also needs to match the style of the bridal attire, as different kinds of bridal dresses are worn by brides in different parts of India. Hence, the selection of bridal jewelry is a vital part of wedding preparation in every Indian family.