| To even think of celebrating an Indian wedding | | | | the ears. Necklaces and earrings are also common |
| without the all too important jewelry is sacrilege. | | | | across all regions. Most brides wear heavily ornate |
| The wedding is the most important day in | | | | necklaces and matching pieces of ear rings. This |
| anyone's life, especially so for the bride. Decking | | | | bridal jewelry is mostly worn as an |
| up a bride with ornate and auspicious jewelry has | | | | accompaniment to the bridal dress and often |
| been a custom for many centuries. Weddings are | | | | complements its color - precious stones are used |
| sacred and hence great importance is given to | | | | extensively in the necklace-earring sets. |
| the jewelry worn by the bride; jewelry is chosen | | | | Nose ring or nath as it is often called has a long |
| to strengthen and signify the sanctity of the bond. | | | | chain attached to it, which is hooked into the hair |
| Wedding jewelry is chosen with much care as it | | | | of the bride above her ears. Nose piercing is now |
| must go well with the bridal dress. The latest | | | | trendy and there are many takers for naths, for |
| trends as well as religious and cultural practices | | | | weddings or otherwise. Bangles symbolize Indian |
| also play a major role in how the bride dresses up | | | | culture - in spite of all regional and cultural |
| for the wedding. This is applicable not just for the | | | | differences, bangles are worn by every Indian |
| clothes that she wears, but also the jewelry. | | | | women. Not to mention its importance in a |
| Beautiful jewelry worn by the bride completes the | | | | wedding-this is worn mostly in gold, sometimes |
| bridal look. In a vast majority of Indian weddings | | | | even glass bangles are used. Rings and bracelets |
| you find brides wearing gold, which is the | | | | are also used to adorn the arms of the bride. |
| preferred metal. But that is not to say that other | | | | Waist bands, toe rings and anklets are also |
| metals are ignored. Some brides also opt for | | | | common items of bridal jewelry. There are many |
| silver, white gold, diamond or platinum. Precious | | | | styles and designs of toe rings and anklets. Toe |
| stones like pearl, ruby and emerald are commonly | | | | rings are worn only by married women. They are |
| used in jewelry to complement the dress worn | | | | usually worn in pairs on the toes of either feet. |
| by the bride. | | | | The culture plays a very important part in Indian |
| Common Jewelry Items | | | | bridal jewelry hence one can see vast differences |
| Jewelry worn by Indian brides are largely similar, | | | | in the designs. Women in north prefer the |
| though there are a few regional and cultural | | | | carvings in their designs, the women of west opt |
| differences. One such piece of jewelry is the | | | | for stones and mirrors styles. While those in the |
| Shringar patti or mangtikka - this is worn on the | | | | east prefer beads, women in the Southern parts |
| hair parting and may extend down the hairline to | | | | of India like to wear elaborate temple jewelry. |