.png)
Written by Aysha Afrin
In India, jewelry is deeply rooted in tradition and serves as a powerful symbol of status and cultural heritage, especially during weddings. Unlike many other nations, gold plays a prominent role in the daily lives of Indians, embodying both prosperity and auspiciousness. However, the love for jewelry in India extends far beyond gold; Indians embrace a diverse array of designs, styles, and materials, reflecting the country’s rich cultural history and artistic legacy. Let us look into each of them.
Temple, Tradition, and Devotion
A growing trend among women today, particularly brides, is the resurgence of traditional temple jewelry. Originally hailing from South India, these exquisite designs were once crafted to adorn deities in temples but have now become a cherished choice for Indian brides, symbolizing divinity and timeless elegance. Earrings, necklaces, and chokers are the standout jewelry pieces, trending in the industry due to their intricate craftsmanship, creating a huge buzz and hype in the market.
Kundan: Rich and Captivating
Rajasthan, the land of the Royal Rajputs, is renowned for its distinctive jewelry designs that exude opulence and tradition. Uncut diamonds and pearls, commonly known as Kundan, have been widely embraced by royal women for centuries. These exquisite gems are often crafted into elaborate neckpieces, chokers, earrings, and maang tikkas, embodying the grandeur of North Indian style and heritage. This has become the face of Indian Weddings as brides choose these over gold for the traditional lehengas.
Jadau: A Timeless Classic
Jadau came into use, and its popularity increased with the coming of the Mughals into the country. The reign of the Mughals brought many changes in society including jewelry. Jadau is a model made with a lot of intense hard work where gemstones are embedded into the gold molds. Uncut and Polki diamonds are the defining features of Jadau jewelry. This traditional art form has gained immense popularity in the modern fashion industry, with more people embracing its timeless elegance, and wearing it on various occasions. Jadau had become an integral piece of jewelry for brides to wear for their weddings, especially among Muslim brides. Contemporary Jadau designs now incorporate lightweight styles, making them suitable for modern tastes while retaining traditional charm.
Pearls and Perfection
Pearls over the centuries have proven their timeless elegance. The pearls have always been a symbol of charm, sophistication, versatility, and grace. Pearls are presented to people as a token of love. Mostly used by queens and princesses, pearls are now a growing trend among fashionistas as the best choice for minimal styling. Layered necklaces, earrings, chokers, tikkas, rings, and bracelets are the most common pearl-embellished jewelry in the market. Pearls are a must when it comes to South Indian tradition, especially Hyderabadi weddings. The fusion of Kundan and pearls is widely used by people pairing them with sarees and lehengas.
Raw Stones and the Elegance
As times evolve, so does people’s sense of fashion. While heavy gold and intricate Kundan jewelry continue to captivate, many are now gravitating towards minimalist styles and understated elegance. This shift has brought raw gemstone jewelry into the spotlight, offering a perfect blend of natural charm and contemporary simplicity. Raw gemstones have an earthy and rustic charm. Their irregular shapes and textures give each piece a unique identity. Some popular stones used in jewelry include amethyst, quartz, tourmaline, aquamarine, and moonstone. Minimal necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets are the most found jewelry with raw stones. It is also believed that raw stones carry stronger metaphysical properties since they are untouched by extensive cutting or polishing.
Now we understand why Indian weddings are classic and celebrated worldwide. It’s not only the exquisite attire that makes them so captivating but also the breathtaking jewelry that enhances the beauty of every Indian bride, creating a truly mesmerizing and regal look.
Comments