Indian Bridal Jewelry
Whether a bride selects tiny and intricate nose rings or bold, show-stopping collar necklaces; one thing’s for sure – Indian bridal jewelry spans a spectrum of tastes, styles and symbolism. Here are some of the bridal jewelry types that are favoured by Indian brides:
Mangal Sutra – This is a type of necklace which is placed around the bride’s neck by the groom during the Hindu marriage ceremony. It is significant since it symbolizes the marriage and also the bride’s wish for her husband’s long life. Traditionally, this type of necklace comprises black jet beads with gold but modern- day Mangal Sutras can now also feature diamonds, other precious stones and lighter, single strands.
Nath – These circular or half moon nose rings can either be pierced or clip-on. The traditional nath is a big ring that partially covers the mouth. It is worn as a sign of being married. There is also the “nathni” which features a chain that connects from the nose ring to the hair.
Tikka or Mang Tikka (also called a Maatha Patti) – a tikka is a drop or pendant that has a chain and a hook at the end. This hook attaches to the bride’s hair along the centre path, so that the pendant drops neatly on the middle of the forehead. There is also the Mang Tikka, which has chains that attach from the main strand on the centre. The Mang Tikka can be a double strand (framing the forehead) or a statement-making multi-strand one, which covers the bride’s entire hair.
Sultry Eyes
Jhumar – This Pakistani-styled tikka is worn to the side of the bride’s hair. It can be diamond, triangular or chandelier-shaped, or even look like an elaborate drop pendant.
Payal – This is an anklet and is a traditional piece. It holds significance, since it is meant to announce the bride’s arrival to her husband’s house.
Bangles – No Indian bride is seen without bangles! Traditional bangles are made of glass or gold, for good luck and prosperity but nowadays, bangles are being made of other materials as well. Bangles also have special meaning in India – since colours and materials in certain regions signify fertility or prosperity. Some brides also wear a “baju band” or an arm band.
Kamar band or kamarbandh – This is a waistband worn over the sari. It is said that it signifies authority at the bride’s new home since she is able to hook house keys on it!
Earrings – These can vary in design from the jhumka (umbrella or bell –shaped) earrings to the chandbali earrings – which look like jeweled drops or chandelier-styled earrings. Both jhumka and chandbali earrings may feature enamel work called “meenakari” or just like the tikka and necklaces, they may be designed in the Kundan style (gold foil used to fuse glass stones together) or Polki style (gold foil used to fuse uncut/rough diamonds together).
For more Indian Bride inspiration, check the TrinidadWeddings’ Pinterest Board here: https://www.pinterest.com/
