Regional Indian Jewellery Styles: A Journey Across India

India's jewellery traditions are as diverse as its languages, cuisines and textiles. Each region has developed signature pieces, techniques and motifs shaped by local history, materials and customs. This guide offers an introduction to some of the best-known regional styles. It is not exhaustive, and practices vary within every region, but it will help you appreciate the stories behind the designs you love.

A note on respect: Many regional pieces carry marital, religious or community meaning. When wearing inspired designs, learn about their significance and avoid treating different traditions as interchangeable.

North India

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is closely associated with kundan and meenakari craftsmanship, with Jaipur a well-known centre. The Victoria and Albert Museum documents craftsmen in Jaipur creating kundan and enamelled jewellery. Rajasthani styles also include:

• Borla (rakhdi): a spherical forehead ornament worn on the hair parting
• Aad: a broad, collar-like necklace
• Lac bangles: bangles made with lacquer and decorated with glass and stones
• Thewa: a technique associated with Pratapgarh, in which gold work is fused onto coloured glass

See Kundan Jewellery and Meenakari Jewellery.

Punjab

Punjabi bridal traditions are known for the chooda, a set of bangles worn by brides, and kaleere, decorative ornaments tied to the bangles. Jhumkas, tikkas and passa are also popular.

Kashmir

Married Kashmiri Pandit women traditionally wear the dejhoor (or dejharoo), ear ornaments that hang from threads through the ears and carry marital significance.

West India

Maharashtra

Maharashtrian jewellery is known for:

• Nath: a distinctive nose ring with pearls and stones, often in a curved shape
• Thushi: a close-fitting necklace of densely clustered gold beads
• Kolhapuri saaj: a traditional necklace associated with Kolhapur
• Green glass bangles, especially for brides

Gujarat

Gujarat has strong traditions of silver jewellery, including heavy anklets, bangles and necklaces associated with rural and pastoral communities, as well as colourful beadwork.

East India

West Bengal

Bengali jewellery is known for fine gold work and filigree. Brides traditionally wear shakha (white bangles) and pola (red bangles), along with gold ornaments such as the tikli and chik necklaces.

Odisha

Cuttack in Odisha is famous for silver filigree (tarakasi), in which fine silver wires are shaped into delicate lace-like patterns.

Assam

Traditional Assamese jewellery includes pieces such as the gamkharu (a broad bangle), dugdugi (a heart-shaped pendant) and jonbiri (a crescent-moon pendant), often decorated with red stones and enamel.

South India

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the heartland of temple jewellery. The temple jewellery of Nagercoil holds a Geographical Indication. Pieces include the addigai (choker), kasu mala (coin necklace), manga mala (mango necklace) and vaddanam (waist belt). See Temple Jewellery.

Kerala

Kerala jewellery includes the kasu mala, palakka mala (a necklace with leaf-shaped green stones) and nagapadam (a cobra-hood-shaped pendant). Kerala brides often wear several layered gold necklaces.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad is long associated with the pearl trade, and pearl necklaces such as the multi-strand satlada (seven strands) are well known. Karimnagar is known for silver filigree.

Karnataka

Karnataka shares many South Indian forms, including temple-style necklaces, the vaddanam (waist belt) and gold coin necklaces.

Wearing regional styles in imitation jewellery

Imitation jewellery makes it easy to explore designs from many regions. To do so thoughtfully:

1. Learn the name and meaning of the piece.
2. Respect marital and religious symbols; some pieces are traditionally worn only by married women or in particular rituals.
3. Keep traditions distinct: avoid mixing pieces in ways that might feel disrespectful to the communities they come from.
4. Credit the craft: support makers who are transparent about where designs come from.

Key takeaway

Every region of India offers its own jewellery language, shaped by history, craft and community. Exploring these traditions through imitation jewellery is a wonderful way to celebrate India's diversity, as long as we wear each piece with curiosity and respect.

Sources and further reading

• Wikipedia — Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil (Geographical Indication)
• Victoria and Albert Museum — Traditional Indian jewellery making

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.