The Best Indian Bridal Jewelry

In contrast to its name, it actually relates to the present trend and is in reality considered more of fancy jewellery. Says Gunashekar, “the real antique jewellery is only that which is passed on through the ages. What we now craft in the name of antique jewellery is actually the modern day jewellery in gold or silver, which goes through a process of oxidising and is sometimes buried in a pot of clay, to give it a dull look.” “Antique silver is an offshoot of this process,” he says. In lieu of its uncommon appearance, wherein the shine of gold is conspicuous by its absence, a very select clientele desires antique jewellery.

The price of antique gold or antique silver is usually Rs.150 to Rs. 200 more than the normal price per gram. “In contrast, real antiques are totally priceless and the price per gram could range anywhere between Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 per gram,” the manager of the upscale jewellery mart adds. Minakari jewellery: Minakari or enamelling a unique combination of gems, enamel pigments and precious stones, was born as a result of Shah Jahan’s aesthetic vision that transformed enamelling into a sophisticated art. The outcome was a range of items, from jewellery to imperial thrones. The motifs used in the original minakari work were flowers, plants, scrolling vines and animal forms, amongst others. The jewellery of the past speaks volubly of the unmatched calibre of the artisans of the past and their ability to generate some of the finest designs. Says Gunashekar, “If observed closely, the nakshatra design, by the Diamond Trading Corporation, is an offshoot of the seven-stone diamond earring (vaira thodu) concept in the South, which is purchased by most of the parents of prospective brides. Keeping the seven stones as base, thousands of designs have been produced by the DTC to suit the changing trends.” What is it about traditional or old jewellery that remains attractive for years, one might wonder! The answer is, `They have shone through to stand the test of time’. Minakari jewellery is sought after more, by people in North India. The price starts from Rs. 3,000 for the simplest form of jewellery.

Indian Jewelry originates primarily from the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Pueblo peoples; the jewelry from different tribes is very similar because the tribes use most of the same materials. Popular materials include sterling silver, copper, turquoise, coral, beads, shells, ivory, and amber, all of which create beautiful, artistic representations of the natural world and exemplify Native American craftsmanship. In an American Indian jewelry store you might find a Navajo bear claw pendant or a bolo tie with a cow skull or a sterling silver bracelet with exquisite turquoise snakes circling the band. Other popular features are eagles, wolves, and horses, as well as flowers, trees, and water.

Many of the patterns and images they use are highly symbolical, such as feathers showing honor, the owl representing wisdom, or the turtle meaning long life. This is similar to the way the Biblical writers often recognized natural features in the world as metaphors for the spiritual life, for example: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12). Southwest Indian jewelry makers use a vast array of natural symbols to create pieces with meanings that go far beyond silver and topaz. A popular example is the squash blossom necklace, which always features a hanging crescent and can be found in a wide range of colors, stones, and styles. Another popular item is the Concho belt or belt buckle, usually consisting of stones set in silver. Other standard items include bone chokers, amber pendants, and sterling silver hair clips.

These ornaments make lovely gifts for family members and friends, with options for men and women of almost any taste and personality. Authentic hand made jewelry tends to be very expensive, but with a little searching a shopper can find high-quality items for reasonable prices and will be satisfied to know that her new accessories are not only fashionable but also meaningful works of art. Furthermore, she will have the opportunity to support artisans, enabling them to continue tribal crafts and honor their heritage. Buyers wishing to honor such artisans should consider purchasing products from sellers who support reservation projects such as those which encourage Native American children to further their educations, provide mentorship programs, and seek to better educational opportunities for children who live on reservations. Some American Indian jewelry stores exist with similar missions in mind, and can be found with a little online research. Also, buyers who are interested in antique or “old pawn” jewelry should consider giving more support to contemporary artisans, as antique items were often obtained in ways unfriendly to various tribal members. Antique items were frequently stolen or simply sold by Native Americans in financial difficulty, who sacrificed valuable cultural artifacts in order to survive Even children would find joy in Native American ornaments, loving a beaded bracelet or a necklace with a bear claw.

Because they are hand-made, no two items are the same, and buyers have the privilege of wearing jewelry crafted with loving attention and a long history of cultural significance. Sometimes extravagant and gorgeous sometimes delicate and humble the chiseled beauties are great pieces of art evoking the true spirit of India. With the approach of the modern age the Indian jewelry has undergone certain changes but the jewelry market is raging with demands for both ethnic and contemporary.

Top ten dress designs which I prefer are

1. Red Lehenga cholie with duppata specially red with a beautiful duppata having all jari designs on it is the best bridal dress designs of all. Color red is best suited because its a sign of love and new relationship. Short sleeves are best, because with this dress u can wear all type of jewelleries. If wearing diamond jewelleries then use same color designs on the dress. And if wearing gold jewelleries then prefer golden embordiery and golden designs on it.

2. Red Saari with blouse and dupatta on head. Saree as you know is a 6m long cloth mostly worn by indian women and are the best costumes to be worn. Red Saari is also a very good bribal wear and is worn most occasionally on marriages. Again short sleeves blouses are best for it. It is less fashionable than red lehenga but mostly wore by brides in South India. With this also brides prefer a juda on head and dupatta. Mostly gold jewelleries are worn with this.

3. Ghaghra choli is an alternative of lehenga choli. Ghagra is most preferred in the western India like in Rajasthan, Gujarat etc. The ghaghra as you see looks good in all gujarati designs and in all colors. Good color ghaghra are red, pink, orange and yellow. Short sleeves are preferred because brides wear ornaments around their arms and that look awesome.

4. Varanasi saree are just gorgeous ones to be worn by bridals.The exotic designs on it makes it more dashing and beautiful. You wear a matching blouse with this and can go for heavy necklace, bangles, earnings, nose ornaments, first ornaments, payals etc. Short sleeve blouse are preferred. Hardly long sleeves are worn. This dress is most worn by the Eastern India like Uttranchal specially varanas.

5. Baluchuri saree with a blouse is beautiful dress. Colors can be blue green, golden etc. Again short sleeve blouses are worn with this. Brides of states like west bengal, Assam, Orissa prefer this type of dress. The beautiful design on it make the saree costlier.

6. Kota sarees are dazzling ones and are used by the bridals but are preferred less as compared to others. People mostly use this saree to give the bride as head dress. The check designs made on the saree is beautiful. You can go for red, pink, green or combination of two colors. In this also short sleeve blouse are used and the blouse color is contrast color of the saree so worn.

7. Shalwar kameez with a duppatta and quarter sleeve kameez is preferred. Colors that look good are red, pink, maroon or shades of these colors. Specially golden designs on this shalwar and kameez is preferred. The duppatta that is by the punjabi brides and northern brides. Golden jewelleries are preferred and are traditional but nowadays people are even going for diamond and platinum. Chuda is used with this dress.

8. Jardashi sarees are the dazzling and shining sarees. People prefer dark colors on this sarees and brides wear heavy jewelleries along with this. These sarees are less preferred and worn by the brides but are worn. These wear earlier fashionable. People wear again short or quarter sleeves blouse with this.

9. Patiala suite shalwar are similar to shalwar kameez but the difference lies in the shalwar or the leg piece cloth that is being weared. In case of Patiala shalwar the cloth used is more and the aleigance of the dress is increased. Brides prefer short suide or kameez on this.

10.Bangladeshi dhaakai saree and blouse as the name suggest is most used by the brides in west bengal state of India and are preferred more by the begali peoples and in kolkata. Even Bangladesh country this saree is used and are worn

The success of the Sari is attributed to its total simplicity, practical comfort, and sense of luxury a woman experiences when she wears one. A Saree properly draped transforms a woman to become graceful, stylish, elegant and sensuous. So we just make a note on some basic steps about how to drape a Sari.

A sari is an outfit which reveals as much as it hides. Wearing a sari is an art which require practice. A perfectly draped sari makes personality but a clumsily draped sari can equally bring down the look of the Sari and spoils the whole appearance of the woman. So just make a note on some basic steps about how to drape a sari in different styles. Sari is worn on different occasions and thus there are number of sari drapping styles available. If you are going to an office its advisable to pin up your sari, this looks smart and is manageable too. For parties, just pin up the tip of the sari and let the rest fall on your hand. This gives a very graceful look. We understand how important it is to know how to wear sari in proper style thus we learn you how to wear a sari in different styles with illustrated demonstrations in different steps.

STEP 1. A waist - to - floor length petticoat tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. 2. A tight fitting blouse that ends just below the bust.

STEP 2 After step one you take the sari and tuck the plain end of the sari into the petticoat for one complete turn from right to left. Make sure that the lower end of the sari touches the floor.

STEP 3 Beginning from the tucked-in end start making pleats in the sari, about 5 inches deep.

STEP 4 Make about 7 to 10 pleats and hold them up together so that they fall straight and even.

STEP 5 Tuck the pleats into the waist slightly to the left of the navel, and make sure that they are turned towards the left. After this you take the sari and tuck the plain end of the sari into the petticoat for one complete turn from right to left. Make sure that the lower end of the sari touches the floor.

STEP 6 The end portion thus draped is the pallu, and can be prevented from slipping off by fixing it at the shoulder to the blouse with a small safety pin. You are now draped in a saree . Now stand before the mirror and get enchanted by the grace you exude

How should a bride prepare? First of all a bride should know how to get ready for their engagement ceremony. In this ceremony the bride should be prepared in a light colourful saree full of shining brilliance that emits her beaming inner joy to all the rest of the world to attract all people around her. The dress should be distinct from all other guests.The makeup of the bride should be done carefully i.e., eye lashes , lipstick , maskaara etc should be applied in a way that it would not give a look of over comensation for perceived lack of ones one beauty. Before the day of wedding she should be curious of eating the right choice of diet. She should not perform risky tasks before her marriage.

On the day of wedding, the red color dress is more preferrable. The red color is like a cherry on the blossoms. It is overwhelmingly considered the most appropriate color for weddings. Our lovely bride should wear traditional jewelery with a touch of modern era in it. The mehendi is an important and essential feature for marriages in India, so the mehendi is a must on the hands and legs of the bride,it adds more beauty and a distinct identity to the very soon to be married. The more attractive the mehendi is,,the more beautiful the bride will appear. She needs a lot of rest before the eve of the wedding. She should stay calm and also she should try not to get frustrated with anything. Occasionally attacks of anxiety can ruin a brides mood and put her into a mental place where she may make erratic decisions, even as rash as canceling the wedding. Yoga before a month of the eve leads her to more power and thus she could handle the pressure of marriage.

Now it’s time for the main function for which a bride waits for a long time. On the wedding arena she should try to come after the groom but slowly and steadly. A fast walk on the ramp could make her get unbalanced and it could give a chance to the family members to laugh at her. Also at the wedding arena she should try not to give a big laugh but she can try to give a cute smile, It will be working very well.

After the wedding is over and when the Groom takes her Bride, she should give thanks to all the relatives and friends who came in the wedding. And also try to tell the parents that how much she loved them and care for them. Now on to your new life full of love and prosperity.

FIVE THOUSAND years ago was born the desire to adorn oneself and thus took root Indian jewellery. India being a “gem-bearing” country has been a treasure trove of various precious stones and has enticed many a traveller, trader and invader alike. Transgressing through time and history, Indian jewellery has not remained just a craft, but evolved into an art - both in design and workmanship. For the rulers, jewels were a statement of power, prosperity and prestige. But for the Indian woman, jewellery was and is, even today in many parts considered as a security, the value of which will almost always accentuate, never depreciate. Temple jewellery: Classical and traditional in its appearance, temple jewellery is commonly associated with dancers practicing the dance form of Bharatanatyam or Kuchipudi. Temple jewellery is characterised by some of the finest handwork, painfully crafted by skilled craftsmen and jewellers.

Due to the finesse required in crafting it, the time required to deliver the jewellery may sometimes even go up to a year, depending on the number of pieces required. But one sight at the final product and most of customers will forget the agony of their wait. From earrings to necklaces to pieces for adorning the hair, feet, hip and even the plait, the temple jewellery that is custom-made, according to the measurements of the customer, is surely an enviable possession.

Made with uncut rubies (pucchakallu), emeralds, uncut diamonds (param), pearls, sapphire and other precious stones with the foundation in gold. The price range could be anywhere between Rs. 80,000 for a pair of jhumkas (earrings) to several lakhs for necklaces and other specialised items. A set for a dancer, meeting all her requirements for the perfect adornment could be between Rs. 8,00,000 to Rs. 15,00,000. Says Kirtilal’s manager Gunashekar, “the reason for the expensive nature of temple jewellery is obviously the making charge, which itself is almost one-third of the total cost. Even today, the original temple jewellery is made only by certain craftsmen, who have to follow stringent requirements during the course of making it, like maintaining a cool temperature (as heat could damage the delicate gold threading), total concentration on each set due to the intricacy involved (which means taking up only one order at a time), and so on.

The creation of necklaces, rings and so forth is a time honored tradition that evolves as mankind does showing how our tastes, cultures, desires, needs and passions have changed as well along our journey.