Jewellery is considered to one of the most important part of an Indian tradition costume. Without accessories, the traditional aura feels incomplete and we feel like something is missing. The feeling of being incomplete is felt repeatedly due to the absence of our ears being pulled down by jhumkas or dangling earrings, our necks feeling empty without stoned sets or our arms and legs moving around very easily and fast without bangles and anklets to keep our movements slow and carefully measured.

Most times throughout the year, the terms Indian women and jewellery go hand in hand. The putting on of jewellery is like an initiation ceremony that completes the moment to make a woman feel as beautiful as she looks. Indian women have pride in the traditional jewellery that they wear because they know that the stunning silver and gorgeous gold suit their pale, slightly dusky or coppery, and darker skin tones in a manner that no fake bracelet or chain can.

There are various different occasions in our vast and all-celebrating country during which women can show off their love for traditional clothes and jewellery. There are various types of jewellery like earrings and jhumkas, bangles, kadas, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, rings and toe- rings to name a few. They are made from various metals and decorated in a variety of precious and semi- precious stones like emerald, topaz, jade, ruby, sapphire, amethyst, onyx, etc and also pearls and diamonds. Jewellery made of gold is excessively popular among the women of South India whereas silver is preferred by most women of the younger generation. Diamond jewelry is the most sought after all over the world. After all, diamonds are a woman’s best friend, right?

On festivals like navratri, ganesh chaturthi, karva chauth, teej etc and occasions like birthdays, wedding anniversaries and most importantly, marriages, women can and almost always, will show off their most beautiful sets after decorating themselves in the most lavish clothes they own and doing their hair in a manner that keeps their beautiful jhumkas visible. On occasions like marriages the beautiful, intricately carved gold and silver bangles studded with mirrors and sweet, clanking anklets provide a beautiful contrast on the mehendi laden arms and feet of the bride and guests.

Indian traditional jewellery has got several close ties with the ancestral traditions of our subcontinent. Since centuries upon centuries, generation after generation, girls are gifted jewelry by their families on their wedding day. In many places, even the groom’s family will gift the bride some family heirloom in the form of jewelry that has been descending in their house for decades. Indian culture and Indian jewelry are linked together since eons and women all over the country surely hope that this never changes.

Jewellery, once upon a time used just for special occasions by those rare families who could afford it, is now as necessary a part in the daily get- ready routine of every girl and woman in our country as the lip gloss they apply. Whether it’s a simple chain and pair of earrings for regular wear or a huge heavy stone studded set for a special evening, traditional jewelry has never let a woman down.