Festivals and Celebrations: What Jewellery to Wear

Festivals are moments of colour, family and tradition, and jewellery plays a part in many of them. Each festival has its own mood and practical considerations, from dancing at Navratri to lighting lamps at Diwali. This guide offers jewellery ideas for major celebrations. Customs vary widely by community and family, so treat these as inspiration rather than rules.

For general styling principles, see Festive Jewellery Styling.

Diwali

Mood: bright, golden, celebratory.

• Gold-toned kundan-style or temple sets with silk or festive outfits
• Jhumkas and coordinated bangle stacks
• Rich jewel tones: red, maroon, emerald, gold

Practical tip: keep long dupattas, loose sleeves and dangling jewellery away from diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks.

Navratri and Garba

Mood: energetic, colourful, dancing.

• Oxidised jewellery with chaniya cholis: jhumkas, chokers, kadas and armlets
• Mirror-work and colourful thread jewellery
• Secure fastenings and lighter pieces for dancing

Practical tip: choose earrings with secure backs and avoid very heavy pieces for long nights of dancing.

Durga Puja

Mood: traditional, elegant.

• Gold-toned jewellery with red-and-white sarees is a popular look
• Statement jhumkas and chokers
• Many married Bengali women wear traditional shakha and pola bangles

Eid

Mood: graceful, festive.

• Chandbalis and jhumkas with anarkalis and shararas
• Polki-inspired and pearl sets
• Passa and maang tikka for a festive touch

Onam

Mood: classic, golden.

• Antique-gold and temple-style jewellery with the cream-and-gold kasavu saree
• Kasu mala-inspired coin necklaces and jhumkas

Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj (Bhaubeej)

Mood: family, gifting.

• Light, elegant sets for daytime family gatherings
• Jewellery is a popular gift between siblings

See the Affordable Jewellery Gift Guide.

Karwa Chauth and Teej

Mood: traditional, romantic.

• Red and gold outfits with coordinated jewellery
• Bangle stacks, maang tikka and jhumkas
• Traditions vary by region and family

Pongal, Bihu, Baisakhi and harvest festivals

Regional outfits pair with regional jewellery styles. See Regional Indian Jewellery Styles.

Holi

Mood: playful, messy.

• Wear minimal or no jewellery; colours and water can stain and damage plating and stones.

Christmas, New Year and global holidays

• Sparkling CZ and crystal for parties
• Gold and red tones for festive dinners
• Pearls and elegant drops for gatherings

See Party and Evening Jewellery.

Lunar New Year

• Red and gold tones are associated with celebration and good fortune in many communities.

Festival care checklist

• Put on perfume and attar before jewellery
• Keep jewellery away from lamps, fire, water and colours
• Wipe pieces after the celebration
• Store each piece dry and separately
• Check stones and clasps before the next festival

Key takeaway

Every festival has its own spirit. Match your jewellery to the celebration's mood and practical needs, respect the customs of your community, and protect your pieces from fire, water and colour so they shine for many festivals to come.

Written by

HANSINI369 Editorial Team

Our editors research jewellery types, materials, care and craft, and review guides when materials, standards or recommendations change. Read our editorial policy.