Looking to buy some Indian bridal anklets? Whether you prefer gold or silver anklets, jewel encrusted or simple, our guide puts together the facts on your choices…
Indian bridal jewelry has a significance beyond adorning the bride; it also represents her personal wealth or the dowry that she brings into the marriage. Depending on the area of India where the bride is married, Indian bridal anklets may be inset with precious and semi-precious stones, enamel work or ivory. It is most often made in gold, although it may also be made in fine silver filigree.
Indian Bridal Jewelry Sets
Traditionally, Indian brides wear no shoes and have henna bridal tattoos on their feet. The anklets often have bells or hanging charms which create a tinkling sound as the bride walks. Indian bridal anklets are often worn on both ankles and can be very elaborate and are often part of a matching set of jewelry which includes arm bangles, earrings, and necklaces. At one time, waistbands and armlets were also worn, but they are not favored by modern brides.
While jewelry sets were once very heavy, brides today favor more delicate pieces that can be worn every day, rather than just for their wedding. Stones inset into Indian bridal anklets may include jade, garnet, pearl, amethyst, and coral. The stones may have significance for healing or prosperity depending on the bride’s religion. Although brides may wear rings, they are not used in Indian bridal ceremonies. Instead, the groom places a necklace, called a mangalsutra, around the bride’s neck to symbolize their union.
Traditional Silver Anklets
The Solah Shringar is the 16 adornments of cosmetics and jewelry worn by traditional brides. Indian bridal anklets are usually silver according to this tradition. It is common for pieces of jewelry to be joined by gold or silver chains, and anklets may be joined to toe rings, nose rings may be connected to ear rings and to jewelry worn in the hair, and bracelets may have chains joining them to the eight rings that are worn on the bride’s fingers.
Indian weddings are elaborate affairs, full of symbolism, but many modern brides chose to pare down the ceremony and elaborate preparations for financial reasons or for their own personal preferences. While some of the items of jewelry worn by brides have lost favor with modern Indian women, the Indian bridal anklet remains a popular item. Many Western women wear Indian anklets as an adornment because they are beautiful and draw attention to the legs, both visually and with the delightful tinkling sound they produce. The craftsmanship of Indian jewelers has made these pieces sought after by women of many different cultures and Indian bridal anklets continue to find new markets all over the world.
