# Traditional Indian jewelry and tribal craft

> Kundan, meenakari, mangalsutra and bangles: Indian jewelry is a language of weddings, protection and status; tribal crafts use lost-wax casting (dhokra).

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/traditional-indian-jewelry/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-06
- Updated: 2026-09-06
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/joyeria-india-tradicional/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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In India, jewelry accompanies life's most important moments, above all weddings. [Gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/) is considered auspicious, and each piece has a place and meaning in traditional dress.

## Who and where

India has very diverse jewelry traditions across regions, religions and communities. Alongside the gold jewelry of the cities, Adivasi (tribal) communities keep their own crafts in metal, [brass](https://www.711grados.com/en/brass/) and [bronze](https://www.711grados.com/en/bronze/).

## Materials and techniques

- [Gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/), silver and precious stones.
- Kundan: setting of stones on a sheet of pure gold; polki: uncut diamonds.
- Meenakari: colored [enamel](https://www.711grados.com/en/enamel/) on metal.
- Dhokra: a tribal [lost-wax](https://www.711grados.com/en/lost-wax-casting/) technique with wax threads, for brass and bronze pieces.

## Traditional pieces and their meaning

- **Mangalsutra:** a necklace of black beads and gold that, in many Hindu communities, married women wear as a symbol of marriage.
- **Bangles (chudi):** bracelets of glass, gold or other materials; brides wear many.
- **Jhumka:** bell-shaped earrings.
- **Nath and maang tikka:** the nose ring and the forehead ornament of brides.
- **Solah shringar:** the traditional “sixteen adornments” of the bride, which include many pieces of jewelry.

## The tradition today

Bridal jewelry remains central. Dhokra crafts, made by tribal communities in several regions, are sold as objects and jewelry; it is worth buying them fairly from the artisans.

> [!NOTE]
> The meanings of the pieces can vary between communities, families and periods. This entry is a general introduction; to go deeper, turn to artisans and to museums of the communities themselves.

## See also

- [Gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/)
- [Enamel](https://www.711grados.com/en/enamel/)
- [Lost-wax casting](https://www.711grados.com/en/lost-wax-casting/)
- [Bronze](https://www.711grados.com/en/bronze/)
- [Symbols in traditional jewelry and their meaning](https://www.711grados.com/en/symbols-in-traditional-jewelry/)