Indian jewelry

I have found jewelry is very important in the Indian culture. Even the poorest women wear gold that the family may go in debt for when they get married. It is a long standing tradition that pre-dates the birth of Christ and is necessary for the ceremony. 22k gold necklaces are the most popular sign of marriage, along with anklets on both ankles, nose rings (sometimes in both nostrils) and the all important bangle. The bangles come in all colors and mediums, plain and ornate. Red usually means one is married, white if she is a widow. Gold and red are the most popular and bring good fortune. I have posted here some jewelry that I think is beautiful, and some I have added to my personal collection.
The glass bangles are some of the most popular and you can find them sold anywhere and everywhere, in sets ranging from 6 to 10 bangles. Every woman wears bangles.
This necklace is strung with sapphires,rubies, emeralds, and topaz. Then it is finished off with the ever popular red and gold string. More strands can be added later. My mom "just had to have one" when she came here to visit me and it is a beautiful example of the Indian aesthetic.
The ring is one I bought from a Kashmiri who would only tell me that it came from "The North". I had to have it sized to fit and have no idea how he did it, but I love the weaving and the aquamarine is my birthstone. Most of the Kashmiris I have met in South India own jewelry stores. I have seen some amazing things that have also been made in Pakistan and Afghanistan which are neighboring countries.