Jewellery Trends for the New Year – 2017

A new year calls for new trends. When it comes to jewellery, the old trends usually make a comeback with a contemporary, updated twist. Among the jewellery trends for 2017, baroque pearls are set to make a splash. These pearls are also relatively less expensive as compared to the perfectly spherical pearls. However, new gold jewellery collections will be a preferred choice among women.

While 2016 saw the return of the 1980s stalwart, unadorned yellow gold. The year 2017 should be silver’s turn to shine in spotlight. It should be noted that hasn’t been appreciated by the fine jewellery world for quite a few years now, despite being a precious metal, but it’s the perfect foil (get it?) to the new season’s rainbow-bright colour palette, which can clash with the warm tones of yellow gold.

 Gold Jewellery Collections | Waman Hari Pethe Sons

However, a major trend for 2017 will be colour. Coloured gemstones give jewellery colour, especially enamel.

Enamel is most often associated with Indian jewellery. It can best be described as the technique of fusing liquid glass in bright colours. The technique can be traced back to the Persians. It is now associated with the gloriously-hued Meenakari jewels of India. However, gold jewellery collections will still rule the hearts of many Indian women who want to stick to tradition.

Another big trend for 2017 will be the rose gold combination with gemstones. This apart, ear climbers and ear jackets will continue to make their presence felt as statement pieces. Engagement rings studded with coloured gems will also be on trend. Sapphire and ruby are expected to be the popular choices.

Statement earrings in bold colours will also make a huge splash. 

Bridal Jewellery Essentials for Every Maharashtrian Bride

Most Maharashtrian brides dress in a yellow saree with a golden border; hair tied in a bun and decorated with pearls and gajra on their big day. Apart from the attractive yellow saree, what sets a Maharashtrian bride apart are traditional ornaments she wears. Maharashtrians prefer incorporating pearl jewellery with gold, which has references in Marathi poetry and literature. Here are some traditional jewellery a Maharashtrian bride wears:

Maharashtrian Bridal Jewellery 

Mundavalya
This piece of jewellery is unisex. It is worn by the bride and groom. It entails a string (sometimes two) of pearls, tied across the forehead from the temple. Two lines of pearls drop from either side of the temple. The mundavalya is tied when the bride is set to walk to the mandap.

Kolhapuri saaz
The ornament originally hails from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. A married woman wears this to solidify her marital status. This ornament is gifted by the groom’s family. In a number of Maharashtrian communities, the Kolhapuri saaz is as important as the mangalsutra. Most women in the rural heart of Maharashtra wear it even today. It comprises gold beads (Jav mani), with a round pendant with a red stone in the centre.

Chooda
The chooda worn by Maharashtrian women is quite different from the red chooda. The glass bangles are in green – symbolising fertility, creativity and new life. Custom mandates that women wear these in odd numbers, and in different numbers in both hands.

Vaaki
The vaaki or armlet forms an essential part of a Maharashtrian bride’s trousseau. They are ideally worn one on each arm. However, there are some brides who only wear only one vaaki. A traditional design comes in flat, solid gold with precious stones in the middle.