Jewel In The Crown

How does a bride ensure her jewellery trousseau is in tandem with the mood of the season? What’s in this year and what’s out? MARWAR talks to four top jewellery houses to clue in brides-to-be on how to turn their special day into a glittering, fairy-tale affair.

- Pooja Mujumdar

THE BIG FAT INDIAN WEDDING HAS ALWAYS been an elaborate affair, but when it comes to Marwari weddings, the extravagance, the splurge and élan is like no other. From exotic destinations and Michelin-starred chefs to curated designer trousseaus and breathtaking décor, nothing but the very best is the norm rather than an exception in Marwari weddings. And adding the final touch to all the splendour is drop-dead gorgeous jewellery that gives a magical aura to the bride-to-be, making her the cynosure of all eyes.

We spoke to four top jewellery houses—Archana Parasrampuria Jewellery, Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jaipur, White Jewels and Jaipur Jewels—to help us decode the jewellery staples that the community nurses a soft spot for, while discovering the new-age Marwari bride’s list of must-haves and, of course, the season’s trends.

A changing mindset

Many Marwari brides today perceive jewellery differently, it being more of a form of self-expression that reflects her personality. As Marwari women are steadily making their presence felt in the world of business, this independence has also made its way into other aspects of their lives, pulling them away from old-fashioned ways. Speaking about this changing mindset, Vikas Jain, the founder of White Jewels, says, “Thanks to increasing global exposure and more educated women joining the workforce, jewellery has evolved to become a fashion accessory. As a result, modern Marwari brides have been experimenting a lot more with jewellery, in their bid to stand out and wear a piece that no other woman has.”