Fashionable Yet Trendy Jewelry - Fashion Jewelry

Fashionable Yet Trendy Jewelry - Fashion Jewelry
Nose rings – fashionable yet trendy jewelry
Nose rings are perhaps the most fashionable and trendy jewelry of our times. However the concept has been around for centuries. It originated in the Middle East and then the Mughals brought it to India when they arrived in the 16th century. The nose ring is traditional Indian attire. Following this, centuries later, in the 1960s the nose ring became a piece of trendy jewelry that was worn by the hippies. The piercing of their noses was a sign of rebellion against society rather than a fashion trend. We have come a long way since then. Today, nose rings are a must have piece of trendy jewelry.

Types of nose piercing
There are three types of nose piercing that are possible: piercing of the nostril, piercing of the nasal septum and piercing of the bridge. In India the left nostril is the one that is usually pierced as it is believed that this helps with child birth and eases pain during menstruation. However today nose rings are used as trendy jewelry and because of this, there is no fixed rule on where or which side the nose is pierced on.

How nose piercing is done
Before you consider using a nose ring as trendy jewelry you should know how nose piercing is done. Nostril piercing is done in a similar manner to earlobe piercing. A sanitized needle is passed through the nostril tissue and either a nose stud or ring is put into the hole. Septum piercing is also trendy for a punk look. This kind of piercing is done but puncturing the tissue of the septum inside the nose. A ring is commonly worn for this kind of piercing. The rarest kind of piercing is the piercing of the nose bridge. This kind of piercing is common amongst some tribes and barbells are generally worn on the bridge.

Hand Jewelry



I was fortunate that I had been asked if I would take some shots of a couple who were celebrating their 33rd Wedding Anniversary, and who wanted to dress in traditional costume for some shots to send back to their children in India. It was a most pleasurable experience, and we had a great time taking the shots. I spotted some gorgeous jewellery the lady was wearing, which as I found out, were traditional expensive, and genuine Indian Jewels. I took this short close-up as the colours of the jewels were wonderful. Not sure if I captured the real beauty of the jewels, but I enjoyed taking this shot.

Indian Jewellery



India in the past was often referred to as the jewel in the crown. If we take a walk down the country's historic past, we will find that India jewelry is very much a part of its intrinsic value and dates back to the Mohenjodaro and Harappan times when elegant and intricate jewelry was designed and crafted for its pantheon of gods. Indian jewelry range could be categorized as temple, spiritual and bridal. All these three types of jewelry were embellished with colored stones to highlight the designs. The temple jewelry in the India jewelry range involved the adornment of statues of gods and goddesses with chunky necklaces, which were either strung with beads or crafted with intricate filigree. The statues were also adorned with a number of large chunky bracelets, which came studded with gems. The earrings for the deities were those of clustered beads and had a close resemblance to that of dangling grapes. The nose rings too were adorned with jewels and the ankles bore thick anklets. The temple dancers later wore the jewelry, which was initially created for the gods and goddesses. These designs slowly became a part of the Indian woman's bridal jewelry trousseau. Spiritual jewelry also became a part of India jewelry range. It evolved due to social and religious conditions of the times. It was considered to be highly auspicious if one wore precious jewels while attending important celebrations like a marriage or a puja service. A unique range of jewelry was specially crafted for these occasions and could be worn as pendants, bracelets, belts and brooches. The favorite design for pendants was that of Ganesha - the elephant headed god known to bestow good luck and good fortune. The other emblem, which was also, very much in demand was that of the sacred syllable OM. The Navaratna ring with nine gems also became increasingly popular as it is linked to the nine planets and brings with it all the good influence while assuring the wearer of good luck, health and wealth.

22k Indian Gold Jewellery




22k Indian gold jewellery is probably the most popular of Indian gold jewellery.

There are many types of this jewellery from various areas of India.

The trend in the South of India is towards the antique and old favorites in style. A typical example of such trends is the traditional Mullai Mottu Malai necklace, which has replicas of jasmine buds all around it.

Bengal is known for its craftsmanship of exquisite and intricate gold jewellery with the traditional East Indian filigree and abstract designs. The art of wirework like filigree, is over 500 years old and some truly beautiful designs can be found with the floral and leafy designs.

The traditional chains of coins flowing from the neck to the waist is still very popular and continues to be a symbol of status and wealth. The Bollywood movie, 'The Devdas’, is an excellent example of the ostentatious and resplendent jewellery of the region. Highly ornate with impeccable handcrafting techniques is the trademark of such jewellery.

The western Indian jewellery, by contrast, is unique in that it is more diverse than the other areas and more prone to 'mixing' styles. Western jewellery is very unique to the region. An example is Rajasthan jewellery which tends to be a mix of the traditional for the region with a Persian influence. Included also is the traditional bindi, worn in the center parting of the hair. Flower shape pins and hair combs are also a strong part of traditional jewellery in Rajasthan

The Gujarat, quite different again, is more known for the distinctive disc earrings that stretch the women’s ears almost to breaking point. The Gujarat jewellery is also known for being jewellery for almost every other part of the body.

The Maharashtrian jewellery is more obvious when you see it. The traditional ring in the nose and many people will be familiar with this style of Indian gold jewellery in movies.

22k Indian gold jewellery is very popular not only with the Indians but also with western cultures now keen to take up this fascinating type of jewellery.

Indian Jewelary

Hidden Jewel at Heartlands Hospital

Heartlands Hospital has uncovered a gem in its workforce and is displaying the jewelled evidence for all to see.

Sangeeta Dabhi, a Personal Assistant in the Diabetes Team, is a talented indian jewellery artist and her work has now taken pride of place on the walls in the hospital.





Sangeeta tried her hand at jewellery making two years ago to fill her time while she was on extended maternity leave with her son, Yash. Yash was born prematurely and Sangeeta decided to take some extra time off to care for him and used her son as inspiration for the new business idea – Accessorise with Yash.

The talented PA soon discovered she had a flare for designing bespoke indian jewellery and her hobby soon turned into a thriving business. Sangeeta buys her supplies from India and produces necklaces, earrings, bracelets and handbags.

Sangeeta said: “The whole idea came from nowhere and I suddenly found I was pretty good at it and people wanted to buy my designs. I’m really pleased that people are so interested in my hobby, it’s very flattering. I was thrilled when the Arts Team said they would like to display my work – I even sold a few items as we were putting up the display!”

Heartlands Hospital’s Arts project works across the hospital to provide a healing and friendly environment for patients and visitors through the creative Arts. Part of this project is to display the artistic talents of its staff members around the hospital.

Julia Robins, Arts Consultant at the Hospital, said: “Sangeeta’s work is fantastic. We’re really excited to have the opportunity to display something so exotic and interesting. We’ve had lots of interest about her work, it’s great to know that our displays are enjoyed by patients, visitors and staff.”

Indian Gewelary

Indian Bridal Jewelry

Indian brides wear jewelry sets that are made in gold, be it necklaces, bangles, anklets and earrings. Many a time, the bridal jewelry is set with diamonds and other precious stones. The modern day bride prefers to have some modern wearable items of gold jewelry in her trousseau. Not many would like to be weighed down by heavy jewelry that cannot be worn often and will be more an invitation for thieves. Come the wedding season and you can see crowds thronging the jewelry stores. Indian bridal jewelry has always been considered her 'streedhan' - personal wealth that would stand in good stead in times of need.

Indian jewelry for brides is created to enhance the beauty of the woman. The gentle tinkle of the anklets around delicate feet, a set of jingling bangles on her hands and an exquisitely crafted necklace round her neck - the Indian bride looks resplendent in her finery and colorful profusion. Some bridal ornaments such as waistbands and armlets are seldom worn these days.




Indian bridal jewelry varies from region to region as well as different communities. Precious stones such as jade, garnet, emerald, amethyst, pearl and coral are widely used in Indian bridal jewelry. Stones are said to pass their own special healing touch to the wearer. The precious stones are said to have an effect on one's blood vessels and temperament. Use of navarathnas or nine precious stones can be seen in finger rings and earrings.

The mangal sutra is an important item in the bridal jewelry. This necklace is tied by the husband around the wife's neck as a symbol of their union. This is usually created on a necklace strung with black beads. It is considered a protection against the evil eye. Many a bride makes a few changes to suit her tastes, keeping well within the prescribed parameters.

The conventional gold pendant is often replaced with a diamond. The length of the mangalsutra is one of personal preference. Black beads are sometimes interspersed with gold beads. South Indian brides wear silk saris that are offset by exquisite jewelry in gold. Bridal jewelry encrusted with rubies, emeralds or pearls is popular. The south Indian women wear a thaali as a symbol of their marriage. This is usually in the form of a thick yellow thread with gold pendant.

Brides from Maharashtra wear stings of pearls in a cascade from the temples down to the shoulders, framing the face. The Punjabi bride wears bangles that are made of ivory. The parting of her hair is decorated with a gold ornament called the tikka. Red and green bangles or churas are important in many communities of India. They are given by the bride's mother and it is customary to wear them for about 40 days after the wedding ceremony.

Some churas are set in ivory with inlay work done on them. Toe-rings are another jewelry item that is worn by married women in many parts of the country. The women from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar wear toe-rings called bichwa. Kashmiri women wear a long suspended cord with an ornament from the pierced ears. Brides from Bengal wear the iron kada or bangle called 'loha'. This is artistically encased in gold. A red lac bangle is yet another important bridal jewelry item.

Fine filigree jewelry in silver is a hallmark of the artisans of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Filigree work uses silver wires of varying thickness to make geometrical shapes, leaves, flowers and butterflies and birds. Jaipur is famous for enamel work - exquisite bangles and necklaces with colored enamel paneling on crafted gold.

Kundan jewelry also finds favor with many Indian brides.Kundan jewelry is characterized by gems embedded in gold leaf and not rim or claw. This jewelry style is inspired by the Mughals. Temple jewelry from South India is inspired by temple statues and motifs and is usually characterized by red and green semi precious stones. Jewelry in the southern states is inspired by nature - paisley motifs, rice grains, melon seeds, cobra head and birds.