Indian Accessories

Indian necklace is famous for its aesthetic look and soft intricate craftsmanship. A necklace,

needless to say, is a jewelry worn around the neck, mainly by women. It is a chain or cord often made up of metals like gold, silver, platinum etc usually attached with a pendant or locket to enhance its beauty. Necklaces made of cloth further accessorized with shells, rocks/gems or even wood are also not rare.

Indian necklaces are very often closed firmly with threaded ropes. The length of the necklace could be adjusted with a string attached to it. This string or cord might be considered as the trademark of Indian jewelry. By loosening or tightening the string the necklace could be worn by women of any size. Also, since Indian necklace is made up of all kinds of stones it becomes rather heavy and the string provides sufficient support to it to be worn around the neck.

Though there are various models of necklaces decorated with different gemstones, color stones or other accessories pearl necklaces are the most popular, worn by ladies for hundreds of years and have evolved into modern styles. The various forms of pearl necklaces are known by different names such as a necklace, with larger pearls at the centre and gradually becoming smaller and smaller towards the clasp is called a graduated pearl necklace while a bib necklace has multiple layers of stepped pearls.A uniform necklace consists of pearls of the same type whereas a dog collar comprises of several pearl layers reaching near the base of the neck. 22”-23” long matinee necklace will touch the top of the cleavage and an opera necklace 30-36inches long touches the breastbone. 18” long princess necklace is between the choker and matinee necklace.

The age-old exquisite designs like mango necklace and jasmine-bid necklace continue to be evergreen favorites. Indian necklaces are mostly handcrafted in beautiful designs. The pendants might consist of lovely patterns or images of god engraved within the metal. The metal could also be carved into the desired patterns.

Wedding jewelry or Bridal jewelry, made out of gold, silver, platinum or diamond depending on

one’s taste and budget, is a very important aspect in an Indian women’s life. If you can afford then designer jewelry and customized jewelry are within your reach. On the main wedding day heavy ornaments that complement the bride’s attire and her personality are worn from head to toe. A typical Indian bride is adorned with the following jewels:

Hair Embellishments: Today hair accessories are very popular and becoming a fashion statement. If the bride wears a diamond –studded outfit the hair accessories also should contain diamonds. Decorating hair with pearl headgear and silver hairpins are also very popular now. In certain Indian communities brides wear elaborate headgear of flowers.

Earrings: Though earrings are available in various styles and designs like small, delicate, heavy and dangling ones and also earrings covering the whole ears, brides wear earrings with a chain that is hooked in the hair. Bride’s earrings are typically made of gold decorated with dazzling gemstones or pearls.

Nose Ring: Indian bride wears a nosering with an attached chain that is hooked in the hair. In some communities brides wear a nose ring with no chains. Available in different designs and styles, earrings have set trends in the fashion world.

Necklace: The most versatile bridal jewelry, usually made of gold, available in varied designs and embellished with precious dazzling gemstones or pearls, is chosen fitting well with the neckline, color and pattern of the bride’s outfit. A deep neckline requires a long neckline while a choker looks fascinating with a smaller neck.

Bangles: An Indian bride wears gold bangles studded with various sparkling gemstones and pearls. Nowadays pretty bracelets are also popular among brides.

Ring Bracelet: This unique bracelet is attached to finger rings by means of chains.

Maangtika is worn on the forehead with a decorative centre piece having a long string.

Other important bridal accessories are head crown tiara, armbands worn on the upper part of the arm, diamond or pearl studded fingerrings, beautiful anklets, toerings, bracelets and golden bindi. South Indian brides wear a waist chain called “Oddiyanam” around their waist.

For ordinary people it is only a dream to access a real gold, diamond or a pearl jewelry as a huge sum is involved in the purchase of them. Now jewels, with affordable prices, at the same time retaining the aesthetic looks of the real ones, come to their rescue. Still worse is the growing fear of theft which compels people not to wear expensive ornaments while going out or keep them in the house either, but safely in bank lockers. They wear them only on special occasions such as weddings, important religious functions etc. These well-to-dos also turn to low cost jewels for daily wear.

In the fat Indian weddings a large amount is spent on expensive wedding ornaments. But it is not sure whether these ornaments will be of any use after the wedding, except during a financial crisis. Otherwise cheap jewels come as an easy way out. To get a genuine diamond jewelry one has to shell out a huge amount. Instead, diamond replica jewelry, looking the same as a real diamond but costing much less are available in eye catchy dazzling designs. The beautiful diamond replicas have become a fashion statement these days after such jewelry have been worn by popular personalities.

Costly gold jewels have a separate place among Indian ladies. Today ornaments, made out of cheap metals like copper, but plated with 1gram pure gold, have the same looks of real gold ornaments. These sparkling 1gram gold ornaments studded with various color stones and artificial pearls are available in intricate designs at very affordable prices ranging from $5-50 with 1-3years guarantee. Jewelry made out of Hyderabad pearls and costume jewelry made out of a variety of materials like pure silver, glass, beads, kundan, semi-precious stones, cheap metals etc have created waves in the fashion world due to their affordability and fabulous designs. The various types of ornaments like necklaces, bangles, earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings etc, sold at low prices, exhibit the same elegance and charm as the original genuine jewelry.

As far as Indian fashion is concerned hair style accessories for ladies hold a commanding position. Hair accessories for women with their stunning looks and exquisite variety are hitting the fashion market in recent times. It gives a unique perfection to their personality by enhancing the beauty. We often see models with gorgeous hair accessories in the fashion pageants. The extensive hair style accessories include barrettes, various colored hair clips, hair claws, hairpins, forks, hairsticks, headbands, scrunchies, ponytail holders and enchanting bridal hair accessories.

Bridal hair accessory is usually studded with various pearls, dazzling gemstones, beads of radiant colors, pretty flowers and crystals. Many types of silk flowers in sizzling designs to decorate hair styles are in vogue. Barrette styles such as ruby bow, amethyst bow, arched pony clip, classic topaz barrette, jet bow, sapphire bow and crystal flower barrette are very popular among fashionable ladies.

Ladies put up their long or short hair in various fascinating styles using hair buns when they attend parties, festivals and other important functions. These hair styles are often decorated with hair nets, beaded pins or long “U” shaped hair clips, flowers or tiny gems. They look simply superb with the traditional Indian wear sari. Women with butterfly bun style are also a common sight. Hair sticks made up of natural bone or exotic wood suit well with all Indian outfits. Ponytail is the current craze among small girls, teens and young women. To make this simple trendy hairstyle more attractive there is a commendable variety of accessories like ponytail holders, scrunchies and silk ribbons. Scrunchies, made up of silk/satin are available in all the colors of rainbow. We have a special elegant band called Boho band to give the hair a nice firm look. Indian women also use accessories like Gajra and Paranda to glorify their hairstyles. Paranda has a fragrance of jasmine flowers and unique vibrant colors which set it apart from Gajra.

South Indian classical dancers and brides wear various hair accessories like nettichutti, chandraprabha, suryaprabha, lakudi, tirukkuppu and mattal, an earring chain that is hooked in the hair.

History tells us that Indians have always valued gold very much and its tradition and culture are deep-rooted in Indian soil. Indian ladies have always exhibited a special passion towards the costly yellow metal and an resurgence of gold is felt in Indian fashion in recent times. Making a strong and beautiful fashion statement, gold has become a bold, sleek and perfect accessory for the fashion- hunting dynamic modern ladies.

Rigid jewelry is now out of form while rhythm and fluidity have taken its place, i.e. a sort of mobility and flow and craftsmanship have entered in the making of gold ornaments. Body jewels like waist chains, armbands and hairpieces have emerged as the latest fashion trend. Jewels worn around the arm and torso also have attained unprecedented heights in the new fashion world. Today gold can be woven into a fabric like form out of which gold scarves, head ornaments, belts and funky top all worn by ladies are made. For garments in bold and bright colors gold seems to be an ideal accessory.

The traditional temple jewels worn by dancers of yesteryears have made a tremendous return. Traditional jewels teamed with ultra-modern outfits, showing a bold and stylish look, create waves in the fashion parades and beauty contests. Indian gold chains, hanging loosely around the neck and waist decorated with lot of coins, charms and thin pendants are an attraction in this season. All fashion designers admire the gypsy-chic look of the gold coins. Most of the Indian jewels like the South Indian Kaashumalai made up of gold coins are in a terrific revival stage.

Today Indian gold is in an experimental stage with innovative texture and forms, like using beaten or matte gold to make warrior-like jewelry such as gold necklaces and wristbands. These ornaments look very attractive against dark complexioned skin. Also the fashion designers are experimenting with the designs and finishes of the gold ornaments belonging to the Ancient Indian civilization.

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.

Necklaces, chains, bangles, rings, bracelets etc could be considered as universal jewelry ie women all over the world usually wear them.Certain ornaments are worn exclusively by Indian ladies only, but have become fashion statements recently.

Earrings

An earring, as the name indicates, is an ornament worn in the ears. Usually in India a girl’s ears are pierced even before her first birthday. The term ‘ear piercing denotes earlobe piercing while piercing in the upper parts of the external ear is referred to as ‘cartilage’ piercing. Earrings are usually made up of metals like gold and silver, while glass, precious stones and beads are also used in the making of earring components. Earrings are available in various designs such as small loops, studs, large plates and dangling stuffs. The size of the earring is restricted to the physical ability of the earlobe to hold it without tearing the earlobe.

People of different countries all over the world wear earrings of various types. The varied forms are permanent earrings, sticks-on earrings, dangle earrings, clip-on earrings, ear cuff, stud earrings, spring hoop- earrings, etc.

Toe Rings

Toe rings are worn around one or more toes by married women in India; but today all women wear them irrespective of their marital status. The toe ring resembles a finger ring except it has a small gap on the bottom helping the ring to slip over the top of the toe rather easily.

Toe rings are available in lot of different styles such as to rings with designs featuring hearts and flowers and bold bands. The most popular toe rings available in attractive styles and designs include gold toe ring, magnetic toe ring, silver toe ring, sterling silver toe ring, diamond toe ring and so on. Ordinary feet get a special wonderful shining on wearing an enchanting toe ring. A pretty toe ring could be an ideal gift for some one you like.