Traditional Jewellery in Tamil Nadu

Traditional Tamil Nadu jewellery shows Indian craftsmanship at its best. Madurai, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram and Coimbatore produce an innumerable variety of ornaments in gold of a high degree of brilliance and workmanship. In Tamil Nadu gold is considered to be a sign of prosperity and is said to bring good fortune. So it is common to see every woman here wearing at least one piece of jewellery on them. Ornaments of gold are made for every body part except for the feet with the most prominent of them being

• Oddiyanam is a hip belt or waist chain made of gold and sometimes has a centre-piece featuring goddesses or some abstract images and sometimes encrusted with precious gemstones. Oddiyanam is worn to hold the sari up and provides a slimmer waist appearance.

• The Maangaamaalai is a necklace of mangoes, stunning in appearance, consisting of stone-studded gold mangoes strung together with a huge pendant of encrusted peacocks. It is worn on the chest above the navel and is said to prevent pulmonary disorders.

 

• Thaali or Maangalsutra holds special place for a married Indian woman and is termed as one of the most precious ornaments for them. It is usually made of a string of small sized black beads with a small pendant or locket in the centre. The locket could be shaped like a tulsi (holy basil plant), the shape of Vishnu or it could be heavily stone-studded as worn by Chettinad women.

• Vanki is an armlet shaped like a snake or floral arch is worn on the upper arm by the women of Tamil Nadu. It is usually in the form of an inverted V-shaped form that allows for flexibility for different sizes.

• Jhimki also known as Jhumki or Jhumka is a bell-shaped ear jewel set in coloured stones with pearls hanging at the lower end. Tamil Nadu is famous for its lotus shaped earring that the jhumkis hang down from. They are usually studded with diamonds or rubies.

• Mattals are the stone studded chain that hanging earrings are strung onto. They are secured onto the hair on either side connecting the side hair to the earring, and cover the ears of the wearer. They are usually made of gold and pearls and are hooked to the earrings.

Bridal Jewellery in India Part 2

Indian weddings are full of symbolism and every ritual in it has some significance or meaning behind it, including the jewellery of the bride on this day. We have already discussed a few of them in our earlier post. Bridal jewellery in India is mostly gold jewellery as it is considered to be very auspicious and a blessing of god.

Bangles or Kangan

Gold and glass bangles are supposed to be a must for every bride as this is said to bring good luck to her married life. The tradition of glass bangles worn by a bride on her wedding day is based in the belief that they symbolize happiness during the honeymoon and afterward. An Indian bride on her wedding day will sometimes attempt to put on as small a glass bangle as possible, as smaller bangles are thought to symbolize more happiness. After the wedding, the woman continues to wear her bangles as a charm of safety and luck for her husband. In some cultures brides are presented 21 ivory coloured bangles which she has to wear anywhere from 3 to 6 months after her marriage, usually 40 days is customary. It is worn to remind people that she is a new bride and should be treated like a princess. A married woman in India cannot be bare armed as this is considered to be inauspicious.  In some communities women are so superstitious, that even when changing bangles, they never allow their arm to be completely bare. A simple string or even the end of her sari is wrapped around the arm, until the new set is worn.

Necklace or Haar

One of the pieces of ornaments that play a significant role in completing the look of a bride is a necklace and is the focus of attention of the whole ensemble. Besides the ‘mangalsutra’ which is also a type of necklace, an Indian bride usually wears heavier gold necklaces of different sizes during the ceremony. Necklaces have a lot of significance in an Indian wedding and sometimes these could be heirlooms passed on from one generation to the other.  For example some families have the ‘rani haar’ passed on through generations from the mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law.  Rani haar means queens necklace and is usually an elaborate and majestic looking necklace. Because necklaces are often worn near the heart, they are believed to work on emotions, or to attract or strengthen love.

 Earrings

Earrings which are worn in the ears by the bride are meant to be as ornate and in sync with the necklace and ‘maang tika’. Also known as ‘karn phool’ which mean ‘flower of the ear’ these earrings have a gold chain or beads supporting them and is usually pinned into the hair. Earrings are a very vital aspect of jewellery for a married woman with certain shapes like “jhumka,” “balis,” “kundalas” and “lavang” that were considered auspicious used on ear tops. Among these the most popular and must have for a bride are bridal ‘jhumkas’ which are heavy pieces which are intricate in design and made of gold and precious stones.

Bridal Jewellery in India Part 1

Weddings are an elaborate and grand affair in India steeped in traditions, rituals and customs. These traditions extend to even the attire of the bride including the jewellery, and play a very important role in them. Each of these pieces holds a special significance and an Indian wedding would be considered incomplete without them.

 

Mangalsutra

Mangalsutra holds special place for a married Indian woman and is termed as one of the most precious ornaments for them. It is usually made of a string of small sized black beads with a small pendant or locket in the centre. Also called ‘Thalli’, ‘Thaaly’ or ‘Mangalyam’, the specifications of its design differ from state to state and culture to culture. Although mangalsutra has now become a tradition all over India, it is more common among south Indian women and is always custom-made for every bride. In south Indian weddings the groom ties it around the bride’s neck in three knots during an important ritual called ‘Mangalya dharanam’ as a symbol of their union. It is a gift from the groom worn by the bride representing his love for her and is meant for protection of her husband and marriage. It is one of the very few Indian traditions that has maintained its significance even in the modern Indian wedding.

Maangtika

It is a hair accessory worn on the centre of the forehead by the bride, and is a longstanding Indian tradition.  It comes from the word ‘Maang’ which means partition of hair and ‘Tika’ originating from ‘Tilak’ which is the ornamental mark worn by a Hindu on the forehead. It is the reason why most Hindu brides sport hairdos with centre parting on their wedding day.  This ornament is not only the crowning glory on the brides head, but also carries a great deal of significance in ayurvedic tradition. It hangs loosely on the forehead and is designed to rest at the sixth chakra, the ‘Ajna’.  Symbolising the third eye, it represents insight and the ability to gain control over desire and various other elements within the body.  It is usually a string with a centre piece that come in different shapes and studded with a combination of different gemstones, and must be chosen keeping in consideration your bridal outfit.

 

Nath

Nose rings also known as ‘Nath’ is another essential jewellery item worn by the Indian bride as it is considered to enhance her beauty. It signifies the marital status of a girl, and is ideally never to be removed once the girl is married. It is traditionally supposed to be a gift to the bride from her maternal uncle and is called by different names in different regions. These rings are available in various styles, designs and patterns that vary from culture to culture.  This piece of jewellery is worn in either nose and is connected with a chain that links it to the earrings or is clipped up in the hair with the help of a hook. In South India it is known as ‘Mukhuttis’ and these have ornate, traditional lotus and swan designs mostly studded with diamonds. It can be customized to match the rest of the bridal jewellery.

Gehna – Handcrafted Jewellery

Custom jewellery is a luxury in our current times of mass produced products which are clones of each other. They are special to us because they are fruits of our imagination and results of our inputs in its designing. Customization is preferred not only for their uniqueness and exclusiveness, but also because the craftsmanship of the jewellery where the pieces gets strict attention from the master artisan or specialist ensuring that the finished piece is exactly what the client wants.

 Gehna realizes the importance of personalization and customized jewellery and collaborates with you to create the exact jewellery you wish for. It is essentially a jewellery boutique that helps you transform the jewellery of your dreams into reality. Gehna does not limit itself to just one style of design. Their area of expertise is very vast and lies in both traditional and contemporary designs and also offers a perfect blend of both.

With over twenty golden years of experience the Gehna team has been consistently crafting stunning jewellery since then to the complete satisfaction of their customers. A thorough background in the jewellery business with a unique specialization in diamonds ensures that only the best stones are chosen and converted into carefully created and finely finished pieces of art.

Gehna’s bespoke master pieces truly are works of art as the in-house designer Tara Premsingh is an award winning jewellery designer with many achievement to her name .Her several awards and accomplishments on various national and international platforms are

• Designed and developed ‘Genesis’, which featured in Signity’s trendbook, ‘Gemvisions’ 2009. ‘Genesis’ was a versatile fine jewellery accessory.
• International Winner of the Tahitian Pearl Trophy (4th Edition) in the category of necklace, for ‘Melting Fury’ based on the theme ‘fire under the ice’.
• Winner DTC’s Contest 2005-06 for ‘Light Streaks’, a bracelet inspired from ‘nature in motion’.
• ‘Light Streaks’ further featured as the trend for diamond jewellery for the following season in DTC’s trend book, Diamondnext 2007

At Gehna you can choose to have a one on one personal sitting with her as she patiently helps you design your jewellery. You can be completely involved in the jewellery making process and keep an eye on the piece at different stages of its transformation. This helps you make changes in the jewellery if necessary to finally give you your dream piece. This level of personalization and involvement on your part ensures that every piece of jewellery you custom make at Gehna has your signature style to it and is uniquely you.

Custom made jewellery is still considered a niche sector as it is traditionally very expensive and reserved exclusively for highly valuable clients. Gehna offers custom made one of its kind pieces at extremely affordable prices with absolutely no compromise in quality of metals and gemstones or in the craftsmanship. You now have the luxury of owning custom made designs without having to pay for the high price tag it comes with.

At Gehna you are the true inspiration behind your jewellery with every member of our team striving to achieve the same. All of you need is a vision of your dream jewellery and Gehna will bring it to life and craft it to perfection to fulfil your wishes down to every minute detail.

http://gehnaindia.com/home.html

Jewellery Gift for a Teenage Girl

Picking the right gift for teenagers can be as difficult as the recipients themselves.  While it’s easy to please boys with a game or a gadget, girls tend to be choosier when it comes to presents. Jewellery is a wonderful gift option for teenage girls as it makes them feel appreciated. It will be something she will treasure all her life and look back at it fondly as she reminisces her childhood. But traditional run of the mill jewellery won’t do for the teenager. She is at this age are trying to assert their independence and will usually be very picky about what she wears. Therefore jewellery for her must always be bought with certain consideration.

• Unique

Teenagers always like peppy and uncommon things. This is the age that they are trying to establish their identity and like to stand out in the crowd. Unique and quirky pieces best suit them.

• Stylish

This is the most important aspect to consider when shopping for teenagers. They will not be caught wearing something that is out dated or out of fashion. Their style quotient is very different from that of adults, so make sure to buy them jewellery that is currently trendy. Check out what their favourite stars are wearing and hunt for something similar or have it custom-made.

• Lightweight

Teenagers are constantly on the move and prefer lightweight jewellery than heavy ones which weigh them down.  Teen girls also tend to go for more delicate and fragile themed jewellery. Lightweight simple pieces will also match many of their outfits and can be worn more regularly.

• Personalization

This is a great addition to every piece of jewellery you gift to a teenager. You can customize the jewellery from scratch or add a touch of personalization by engraving the jewellery with a personal message.

• Materials

Teenagers love junk jewellery made of all types of materials but these are not cherished for very long. For gifts that they will treasure for years to come and is long lasting, gold and silver are the best options. Teenagers also love bling and love to flaunt jewellery with gemstones in them.

• Jewellery for occasions.

This is one instance where you can break the rule of gifting them simple jewellery and go all out and buy elaborate pieces with intricate work on them. Keep in mind that every little girl likes to look special at parties so gift her unique pieces that match her clothes and still make her stand out in the crowd.

If you have been unable to find the right jewellery or don’t know where to hunt for it, then head to a reputed jewellery store which deals with customized jewellery. Ask your teenager about what kind of jewellery she likes and the designer at the store will help you create the perfect piece for her.

Importance of Bespoke Jewellery

People are always looking for a unique way to express themselves, and to make a personalized fashion statement. Custom made jewellery or Bespoke jewellery is one of the best ways to establish your sense of style through your accessories. It is the latest trend nowadays, and it looks like it is a trend that is here to stay. Customization is a way to speak your mind and stand apart from the crowd. You can add a personal touch to every piece of jewellery you wear and even the ones you gift to others.

There are a few rules you can follow to achieve the perfect piece of customized jewellery of your dreams.

• The first step of customizing your own jewellery is visualizing or determining the design of the piece you want. You need to be as specific as possible, and decide on what metal to use, which gemstones and the pattern of the jewellery.  Think about whether it is practical for you to wear and also if it manages to incorporate your personal style. Try and draw a rough sketch of it if you can, to see how the outcome may look.
• Figure out the budget you are willing to allot to it and make sure the total cost of the piece in mind falls within the same.  If it falls out of your budget then modify it slightly or try to reuse gemstones and other parts from existing jewellery that you already own.

• No matter what kind of jewellery you choose to custom-make, it is always important to choose a reputed store or craftsman. Check its credentials and also the skill of their designers. Ensure that they have designers who are well skilled in bespoke designing techniques and they also have goldsmiths who can bring your exquisite vision to life.
•  Discuss with the designer about what u want in detail and draft out what you visualize with their help. The designer is an expert in this field so also take their inputs into consideration.  When you are happy with the design then you can go ahead and place your order.
• It is recommended to stay involved in the making process of your jewellery. It’ll gradually give you an idea about how the final product will look.  You can also make necessary changes if you wish to during the process. You can request to see the gemstones before they are set. As a result you can capture any mistakes before they are absolute.

Now patiently wait and watch as your unique and special jewellery piece materializes under expert craftsmanship.

Jewellery – The Perfect Gift For Your Mother

Mother’s day is the day dedicated entirely to celebrate the unconditional love our mothers have given
us through the years. It is the day we reward her sacrifices with gifts to show her that we appreciate all
that she has done for us. The basic idea behind these gifts is to make her feel happy and pampered and
remind her how much she is cared for. A gift is recognition of her dedication to us and a token of thanks
for all the love bestowed on us all through your life.

The perfect gift to bring a smile to her face and a glimmer to her eyes is jewellery. Jewellery is a great
memorabilia loaded with a lot of meaning and memories associated with the giver, and the special
occasion it was given on. Whether it is a simple pair of earrings or an elaborate necklace you can be
assured that your mother will treasure this precious gift forever. She will fondly remember the gesture
and thought behind it every time she puts it on. Jewellery also makes a very practical gift as it is
timeless and never goes out of fashion.

There are so many varieties available in the market today with a whole range of designs made of gold
and platinum to precious stones like diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Finding the perfect gift for your
mother is not an easy task and can get a little confusing. Keep your mother’s personality and taste in
jewellery in mind while shopping for her. Personalized and unique pieces make it a more personal and
special gift.

Earrings are a classic gift idea for your mother. It adds a sparkle to her ears and she can wear them often and on many occasions. A pair of studs, hangings or drop earrings with her birthstone or the birthstones of her children is something that she will proudly display.

Bracelets and Bangles are a great way of adding bling to your mother’s loving hands. There are
many ways to personalize a bracelet. It can be a charm bracelet with every charm representing a
unique memory, or a bracelet studded with her favourite gemstones. You can further have them
engraved with special messages on the inner side to make it all the more personal.

Necklaces and Pendants are fabulous gifts as they add an air of charm and grace to the wearer.
They can be elaborate pieces decorated with gemstones or simple pendants that signify
something special. Be it lockets that can hold pictures, pendants that symbolize your mother’s
strength, love and protection or a beautiful diamond necklace, she will definitely be touched by
the gesture.

Also don’t forget to include a handwritten note or a card with your gift of jewellery.