Famous Jewellery of Indian States: A Region-by-Region Guide
India has one of the richest jewellery traditions in the world, and almost every region has a signature style. Knowing where each style comes from helps you choose the right piece for a wedding or festival - and appreciate why a Rajasthani bride and a Tamil bride look so different. Here is a state-by-state guide.
South India
- Tamil Nadu - temple jewellery. Goddess, peacock and lotus motifs with kemp stones, traditionally from Nagercoil and Kanchipuram. Read what temple jewellery is.
- Kerala - kasu mala, palakka and nagapadam. Coin necklaces, green leaf-shaped stones and cobra-hood pendants. Read Malayali bridal jewellery.
- Karnataka - kasina sara and gundla mala. Coin and bead necklaces; Kodava jewellery like the pathak. Read Kannada wedding jewellery.
- Andhra Pradesh and Telangana - Hyderabad pearls and nakshi work. Hyderabad is known as the City of Pearls; Machilipatnam is known for one gram gold. Read Telugu wedding jewellery.
North and West India
- Rajasthan - Kundan, meenakari and thewa. Jaipur is famous for Kundan and meenakari; Pratapgarh for thewa (gold on glass). Read Rajasthani bridal jewellery.
- Gujarat - Kutchi and oxidised jewellery. Silver and oxidised pieces, and Rajkot for imitation jewellery. Read Gujarati bridal jewellery.
- Maharashtra - Kolhapuri saaj, thushi and nath. The Kolhapuri saaj necklace and the Maharashtrian nath are iconic. Read Maharashtrian jewellery.
- Punjab - chooda, kaleere and passa. Bridal bangles and the swinging kaleere. Read Punjabi wedding jewellery.
- Uttar Pradesh - Lucknow and Varanasi meenakari. Varanasi is known for pink "gulabi meena". Read meenakari explained.
- Delhi - Polki and Kundan markets. Chandni Chowk and Dariba Kalan are famous jewellery markets.
East and North-East India
- West Bengal - sitahar, chik and shakha-pola. Fine gold filigree and the red and white bangles of married women. Read Bengali bridal jewellery.
- Odisha - Cuttack tarakasi. Silver filigree of extraordinary fineness. Read Odia bridal jewellery.
- Assam - jonbiri, gamkharu and dugdugi. Red-and-gold jewellery with crescent and drum motifs. Read Assamese bridal jewellery.
The Mughal and royal styles
- Jadau - stones embedded in gold, linked with Rajasthan and Hyderabad. Read jadau jewellery.
- Polki - uncut diamonds; in imitation, Polki-style stones. Read Kundan vs Polki.
- Rajwadi - heavy royal antique styles. Read rajwadi jewellery.
Which state is most famous for jewellery?
There is no single answer. Rajasthan is famous for Kundan and meenakari, Tamil Nadu for temple jewellery, Hyderabad for pearls and Bengal and Odisha for filigree. Mumbai, Jaipur, Rajkot, Delhi and Hyderabad are among the biggest centres for artificial jewellery. Read where artificial jewellery is made in India.
Wearing regional jewellery outside its region
Regional styles travel well. A Tamil temple choker with a Banarasi saree, or Rajasthani Kundan with a South Indian silk, can look beautiful. The one rule: keep one tradition as the lead, so the look stays coherent.
Famous jewellery markets in India
- Mumbai: Zaveri Bazaar and Bhuleshwar for gold and imitation jewellery.
- Jaipur: Johari Bazaar for Kundan and meenakari.
- Hyderabad: Laad Bazaar near Charminar for bangles and pearls.
- Delhi: Chandni Chowk and Dariba Kalan.
- Kolkata: Bowbazar for gold jewellery.
- Chennai: T. Nagar for gold and temple jewellery.
Regional bridal jewellery at a glance
Most regions have a signature bridal piece: the borla in Rajasthan, the thushi and nath in Maharashtra, the chooda in Punjab, the vaddanam in Andhra, the palakka mala in Kerala, the sitahar in Bengal and the jonbiri in Assam. Read the bridal jewellery checklist.
Which regional style suits you?
- Love bold colour? Rajasthani Kundan and meenakari.
- Love deep antique gold? Tamil temple jewellery.
- Love fine detail? Bengali and Odia filigree.
- Love pearls? Hyderabadi styles.
- Love light, everyday pieces? Kerala coin necklaces and small jhumkas.
Many brides mix one signature piece from their family's region with a set from another, and it works as long as the metal tone and colours stay consistent. Our own pieces lean South Indian - temple, Kundan and antique gold - which sit comfortably with sarees from almost every region.
Frequently asked questions
Which state is famous for temple jewellery?
Tamil Nadu, especially Nagercoil.
Which city is famous for Kundan jewellery?
Jaipur, in Rajasthan.
Which city is called the City of Pearls?
Hyderabad.