Types of Artificial Jewellery Explained

Artificial jewellery covers an enormous range, from a pair of tiny crystal studs to a full bridal set with maang tikka, choker, rani haar and bangles. The easiest way to understand it is to look at three different lenses: where it is worn, what style or tradition it follows, and what it is made from. This guide walks through each lens and links to detailed guides for every type.

Lens 1: Types by where they are worn

Earrings

Earrings are the most popular category of artificial jewellery because they frame the face and suit almost every outfit.

• Studs: small, close-fitting earrings, ideal for daily wear. Stud earrings guide
• Hoops: circular or semi-circular, from small huggies to large statement hoops. Hoop earrings guide
• Jhumkas: bell- or dome-shaped drops rooted in Indian tradition. Jhumka earrings guide
• Chandbalis: crescent-moon shaped earrings, often with pearl or bead fringes. Chandbali guide
• Drops and dangles: earrings that hang below the lobe. Drop and dangle earrings
• Ear cuffs and climbers: pieces that follow the curve of the ear. Ear cuffs and climbers
• Clip-ons: for unpierced ears. Clip-on earrings

Start with the overview: A Complete Guide to Earring Types.

Necklaces and pendants

• Chokers: sit close to the base of the neck.
• Princess and matinee lengths: the most versatile everyday lengths.
• Long necklaces and haar: including the traditional rani haar.
• Pendants: a single focal piece on a chain.
• Necklace sets: necklaces sold with matching earrings, sometimes with a maang tikka.

See A Complete Guide to Necklace Styles and How to Choose Necklace Lengths.

Hands and wrists

• Bangles and kada: rigid circular bracelets, worn singly or stacked. Bangles and kada guide
• Bracelets and cuffs: chain, beaded, tennis-style or open cuffs. Bracelets and cuffs
• Rings: fashion rings, adjustable rings and cocktail rings. Fashion rings guide
• Haath phool: a hand ornament linking a ring to a bracelet, popular in bridal styling.

Head and hair

• Maang tikka: a pendant on a chain worn along the hair parting.
• Matha patti: a forehead ornament spanning the hairline.
• Passa (jhoomar): a fan-shaped side ornament associated with Muslim and North Indian bridal traditions.
• Hair pins, combs and juda pins for buns and braids.

Other placements

• Nose rings (nath) and nose pins, including clip-on and press-fit options for unpierced noses.
• Waist belts (kamarbandh or vaddanam) worn over sarees and lehengas.
• Anklets (payal) and toe rings.
• Brooches and saree pins.

Lens 2: Types by style and tradition

Traditional Indian-inspired styles

India has some of the world's richest jewellery traditions, and artificial jewellery draws on many of them.

• Kundan-style: glass stones set into a gold-toned frame, inspired by the historic kundan technique. The Victoria and Albert Museum notes that kundan setting was used by Mughal court goldsmiths from the late 16th century. Kundan jewellery
• Polki-inspired: designs that evoke uncut diamonds with flat, irregular-looking stones. Polki-inspired jewellery
• Meenakari: colourful enamel work. Meenakari jewellery
• Temple jewellery: South Indian designs featuring motifs such as lotuses, peacocks and deities, traditionally associated with classical dance. Temple jewellery
• Oxidised silver-style: darkened, tribal- and folk-inspired designs. Oxidised jewellery
• Antique finish: a matte, aged gold look. Antique-finish jewellery

Explore the full picture in Indian Artificial Jewellery: A Complete Guide and Kundan, Polki and Meenakari: Key Differences.

Contemporary and global styles

• Minimalist: fine chains, small studs and slim rings.
• Statement: oversized earrings, bold collars and cocktail rings.
• Boho: beads, shells, feathers and layered textures.
• Vintage-inspired: Art Deco geometry, Victorian lockets, retro brooches.
• Indo-western fusion: traditional motifs in modern, lighter forms.

Occasion styles

• Bridal sets: complete, coordinated sets for weddings. Bridal jewellery guide
• Festive sets: colourful, celebratory pieces. Festive jewellery styling
• Office and everyday: lightweight and understated. Everyday jewellery styling

Lens 3: Types by material and finish

Read A Beginner's Guide to Jewellery Materials for details on each.

How to choose your first pieces

If you are building a collection from scratch, these five pieces cover most occasions:

1. Small gold-toned studs or huggies for everyday wear.
2. A pair of medium jhumkas or drops for festive and ethnic outfits.
3. A versatile pendant necklace at princess length.
4. A set of bangles you can wear alone or stack.
5. One statement set for weddings and parties.

Key takeaway

Artificial jewellery spans every placement, tradition and material imaginable. Thinking in three lenses (where, what style, what material) makes it easy to find exactly what you need, and to care for it correctly once you have it.

Sources and further reading

• Victoria and Albert Museum — Traditional Indian jewellery making
• Victoria and Albert Museum — Jewellery collections

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.