Indian Accessories

Anklet is gold, silver or gemstone jewelry worn around the ankles embellished with beautiful pearls or designs. Most anklets are nearly 9.5 inches long, flexible or solid in design. In the past anklets

had bells, the tinkling sound of which indicated the presence of a newly wed bride. Fifteen years back anklets attained the status of fashion accessory and presently they are a strong contender for the style statements.
Anklets are available in various sizes and shapes. Traditional anklets are chains made up of rather delicate silver and gold. But now they come in pretty threaded and beaded forms often in crystals, semi-precious stones, wood and seashells. To most designers the latest trend is to have five different anklets on a single-foot. But there are ladies who wear only a single gold chain with bells on left or right foot or half a dozen beaded ones on both ankles. Chunky wooden beaded and even tattooed anklets are very popular among fashion craze women. But the current hottest stuff is a single string of beads and threads woven together.
Silver anklets, showcasing unique craftsmanship with exquisite designs, occupy an unchallenged position among other jewelry. Indian women have been wearing this beautiful ornament for centuries. In South India the name for anklet is ‘golusu’, mostly made up of silver. This anklet consists of groups of three tiny spheres at intervals. Silver anklets with small bells are also popular among small girls, teens and young ladies. These bells produce a pleasing tinkling noise while walking. Classical Bharatanatyam dancers wear anklets known as ‘Salangai’ which is a leather strip with many slightly larger metal bells attached to it. Another ancient version is ‘Silambu’, a round hollow tube made of gold or silver filled with precious stones or pearls inside.
Normally an anklet has to be at least 2-3 inches longer than the ankle size because then only beads, bells and other fittings will fall right below the anklebone. Anklet in recent times has become a fashion statement in the West also. Anklets can produce a specific look the wearer wants to project. Heavy oxidized anklets with bells have an ethnic look, beads and diamante represent modern and for casual chic, tattooed anklets fit well.