Trendy & Traditional Bengali Jewellery

West Bengal is famous for culture, food, sweets, sarees, and jewellery. Gold jewellery has special place in Bengali culture and weddings. It is believed by the Bengali people that gold brings happiness & prosperity to the newlywed couple. Different parts of India have different trademarks of designs for jewellery and West Bengal also has its own trademarks. Bollywood movies have also helped to make Bengali jewellery art famous. Jewelleries are handed down through generations in Bengal and brides often end up owning jewellery of their grandmother and mother.

Some daily wear Bengali gold jewelleries are explained here:

Cut Out Bangles (Beloyari Churi)

Beloyari in Bengali is the name for a type of glass cutting art or design. These glass cutting arts were very famous and inspiring. The jewellers took this opportunity to incorporate these designs in their jewellery designs. These are thin bangles which normally have areas cut out to form a particular design. These are very famous and widely used bangles in West Bengal.

Wax filled gold bangle (Gaala Bhora Bala)

Gold in its purest form is very soft and malleable hence jewellers need to mix other metals or alloys with gold to make it suitable for daily wear. Since gold is normally non-allergic, it is the most famous daily wear jewellery metal. Wax filled bangles are done so to make them look like bigger bangles without increasing the cost. These are hollow bangles which are filled with wax inside them for strength. In Bengali they are known as “Gaala Bhora Bala”. These bangles portray a traditional look and are long-lasting.

Half cut bangle (Bauti)

These are half cut bangles which look like a proper full size bangle however, these bangles are cut out from inside. The objective of doing this is the reduction in gold amount for making a bangle which is full bodied. These bangles are quite affordable and are a daily wear choice for Bengali ladies.

Gold Embedded Conch-Shell Bangle & Red Lac Bangle (Shona Badhano Saankha and Pola)

Bengali women traditionally wear a red lac bangle and a conch shell bangle after marriage. These two bangles are given to a bride during the wedding and she is supposed to wear it all through her married life. She is supposed to open them if she is divorced or widowed. The conch shell bangles are quite brittle and pricey to replace so many women are avoiding wearing them regularly. The red lac bangle called ‘Pola’ is cheaper but also not used regularly in the modern times. These bangles are a sign that a Bengali woman is married.  These bangles are a must wear when attending marriage functions or other auspicious ceremonies. These two bangles come in various styles and jewellers have found ways to embed gold into them or covering them with gold.

Gold Wrapped Iron Bangle (Shona Bandhano Loha)

As per the Bengali culture another piece of bangle called the ‘Loha’ is also a must wear for traditional and auspicious reasons. This is a simple iron bangle and is a daily wear for married women. This ‘Loha’ bangle is a symbol of marriage and believed to ensure the well being of a woman’s husband. Affluent women often gold wrap their iron bangles and this is normally gifted to them by their in-laws. This is still worn by all married Bengali women and removing it is considered ominous. Iron bangles are also wrapped in various other precious metals and can be worn with modern dresses also.

Muff Chain

Muff chin is a common Bengali necklace which is thin in appearance and comes in various sizes. There are a common gift on anniversaries and normally a daily wear for Bengali married women. Bengali married women are also not supposed to keep their necks bare and should wear at least a thin necklace or chain all the time.

Flower Motif Chain (Bokul Mala)

Thin chains with flower motifs are known as “Bokul Mala”. ‘Mala’ means garland in Bengali and ‘Bokul’ is a type of flower. These chains normally have flower motifs and hence the name. This is a daily wear item for the Bengali married women.

Traditional Ear Rings

Earrings with traditional designs are loved by all Bengali women. Arts and culture is a strong point in Bengal and all of us like to stay attached to that. Hence old culture and arts still persist in Bengal just like traditional jewellery designs. These earrings are normally of medium size and can be used for almost all small outdoor activities.

Ear Stud (Phooler Top)

These earrings are a type of stud but they employ flower motifs. Flower motifs are a favourite among Bengali jewellery designs. These studs have flower motif design which goes well with most of the outfits. These occasionally also have small diamonds studded in them and also fake diamonds. These are quite trendy and almost all modern women have them.

Diamond Solitaire

Solitaire diamonds are trending in India for some time now and many women are flaunting them. These are elegant rings which many Indians are gifting to their spouses and would be spouses. The concept of engagement rings is also getting popular.

Do let us know which of these jewellery you would like to own and why.