Why heirloom jewellery is so significant in Indian weddings

Everyone was hooked onto the extravagant Ambani wedding that took place last July. The bride, Radhika Anant Ambani, stunned everyone with her incredibly exquisite custom-made ensembles and jewellery. For instance, on her wedding day, she wore a Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga with gold and polki choker, earrings, and necklace from Roopchand Jewels. This jewellery set, a treasured heirloom from her mother’s collection, was also worn by her sister, Anjali, for her own pheras in 2020. And well, the Ambanis are not the only ones. Actors like Soha Ali Khan, Yami Gautam, and even Sonam Kapoor have worn jewellery passed down through their family.

So, one thing is for sure: Indian weddings are incomplete without jewellery, especially heirlooms. It is a rather sacred tradition followed by many Indian families. Whether it is your grandmother giving you her vintage choker or your future mother-in-law giving you her gold bangles, here's why passing down jewellery is so symbolic.

Symbolism of tradition

In a country like India, where families used to be large and each had its own set of rules and traditions, jewellery became a tangible way of passing on the baton to the next generation. Heirloom jewellery in Indian wedding sets typically includes the rani haar, chokers, bajubands, kamarbands, and mangalsutra. These pieces are crafted by skilled artisans with the finest materials to adorn brides on their wedding day and represent their families' traditions, culture, and values, thereby connecting them to their roots.

Heirloom of sentiment and nostalgia

For her mehendi ceremony, Athiya Shetty donned her maternal grandmother's ancestral chandbali earrings and maangtika, making her look fresh and beautiful. Often heirloom jewellery pieces are considered to be outdated and traditional, but they are more than just some precious baubles from parents or grandparents. They are symbolic of an emotional connection and blessings passed down to us. They immortalise the family member who gave them to us and, through it, maintain a sentimental family connection. 

Monetary value

Before, when a daughter was gifted an heirloom jewellery set for her wedding, it was given as a reliable asset for her as she started her own life with her partner. In India, heirlooms began as a safety net for the daughter to use in times of financial hardship. While this reason may have changed, it remains very much a part of the culture. Additionally, in Indian weddings, elders often insist on wearing jewellery made of gold, as it is considered auspicious and a sign of wealth and prosperity.

Vintage heirlooms invoke regality 

Remember Soha Ali Khan’s wedding look when she wore a passa and an emerald green rani haar with her stunning orange lehenga? Most of the jewellery she chose was passed down from her family. One word that comes to mind when we think about her jewellery is "regal", and this applies to all vintage pieces. Heirloom jewellery have a sense of regality that newer pieces often lack. Its unique charm adds an extra layer of appeal to a bridal look.
 

Lead image credit: Kareena Kapoor Khan// Instagram
 

Also read: Yellow gold makes a shining comeback and these are the pieces to invest in

Also read: Here’s how to choose the right pocket square for a wedding