Journey of Indian gold earrings: from ancient to modern times
Gold jewelry has been a staple in Indian culture for around 5,000 years, and are still worn across India to this day – in particular, Indian gold earrings. From ancient times to the present day, the journey of Indian gold earrings has been long and transformative; from large oversized “shoulder dusters” to ornamental jhumka, these timeless pieces remain essential elements in any woman’s wardrobe, forever considered as symbols of eternity and luck.
But how have Indian gold earrings changed over time? In this blog, we’re going to take a look at the different types and styles of Indian gold earrings throughout history, and help you understand the unique heritage behind these intricate gold pieces. Let’s dive in!
WHO WERE THE FIRST TO WEAR GOLD EARRINGS?
Gold earrings have been worn by Indian women since ancient times, most notably due to the reverence for gold itself which has been present in Hindu culture for thousands of years. Across India – much like across the rest of the world – gold is seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity; gold earrings were thus traditionally given to brides at the time of their marriage, signifying good luck and fortune for the couple’s future together.
Gold is even considered a purifying source in Indian and other Southeast Asian cultures; with power to purify everything it touches, gold is worn as a symbol of that all-important “auspiciousness”, revered across India and other regions in the Southeast. In Indian culture, gold isn’t reserved for earrings; in fact, almost all traditional Indian jewelry features gold of some kind, whether it be gold plated chooda bangles, or gold pendants on the traditional mangalsutra.
THE EVOLUTION OF INDIAN GOLD EARRINGS
The design and size of traditional Indian gold earrings tend to vary from region to region, but when it comes to design, oversized and statement earrings remain a staple in Indian fashion. One of the most common types of Indian earrings is known as a jhumka, which is a bell-shaped ornament featuring intricate designs and filigree work. Other popular varieties include meenakari earrings, enameled gold studs, and kundan earrings, which feature precious gemstones set in gold.
What has evolved, however, is the manufacturing methods. Traditional Indian gold earrings were often made using the lost-wax technique, a highly skilled and labor-intensive process where a wax model is carved, encased in clay or plaster mixture and then heated until the wax melts and escapes through a hole in the mold. Nowadays, more sophisticated and modern processes have been adopted to create earrings.
MODERN INDIAN GOLD EARRINGS
Today, Indian gold earrings are no longer limited to traditional designs and styles; designers and jewelers have embraced a more contemporary approach with the use of different shapes, colors and textures. Many modern Indian earrings feature bold shapes and geometric patterns that draw on inspiration from nature, as well as intricate details with a nod to traditional craftsmanship.
That being said, the Indian wedding ceremony is where traditional earring designs flourish; many Indian brides wear heavy, oversized “shoulder duster” gold earrings, which are often set with precious and semiprecious gemstones for their big day.
Bollywood actresses and Indian cinematography have also influenced how Indian women wear earrings; stars such as Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor have all sported bold, oversized and ornate gold earrings at movie premieres and events, keeping the “oversized” look in fashion even in contemporary times.
No matter how times have changed, 22k gold earrings remain a timeless token of good luck and a symbol of wealth, with many modern designs still blending traditional techniques and craftsmanship with contemporary shapes, colors and textures.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Today, gold earrings remain a popular choice among Indian women of all ages. Modern designs are more often contemporary and can be seen featuring diamonds or other gemstones alongside yellow gold – they also tend to be shorter and smaller; studs and pendant necklaces are incredibly common amongst Indian women in the workforce. That being said, traditional Indian oversized earrings remain popular in Indian wedding ceremonies, as well as on the Bollywood red carpet.
