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Indian weddings and jewelry have a great connection. They are an expression of personal style and fashion statement. In India, welcoming a bride into the house is considered the “arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,” and to honor her, she is dressed in jewelry from head to toe.
Gold and silver are the traditional auspicious metals worn by the bride. The same is being gifted to the bride by family and friends. Generally, these are heirloom jewelry being passed on to the next generation. These ornaments carry sentimental value and affection gifted to us by our elders.
However, with modern tradition, natural gemstones have become a part of Indian jewelry, and the same is being passed onto future generations. In this blog, we will discuss the significance of heirloom gemstone jewelry.
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Before moving on to the significance, let's know more about this jewelry. Heirloom jewelry is an ornament that carries the legacy of love and affection from generation to generation. It can be a necklace, ring, bracelet, or brooch gifted to loved ones on special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or engagements.
This can be in metals (probably gold and silver in Indian culture) or precious gemstones like sapphire stone, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.
Read More: Why Personalized Jewelry is the Best Gift?
Heirloom jewelry is a family treasure with memories and tales of our grandmother, mother, or aunt. These ornaments hold an emotional connection that connects the bride to past generations.
While gold and silver jewelry symbolize purity, gemstone jewelry signifies more than this. In Indian culture, natural gemstones are connected to planetary energies and have astrological significance.
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For instance, a natural Panna stone ring is linked to growth and prosperity. It is believed that emerald stone is auspicious and can be worn by everyone. Wearing green jewelry is said to be considered significant for Indian brides as the color green is symbolic of fertility and harmony.
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A pop of gemstone color, intricate design, and metal shine best describes the beauty of gemstone jewelry. These ornate pieces make incredible heirloom jewelry when passed on to future generations.
The lush green hue of green emerald stone signifies love and harmony, the foundation of every marriage. Radhika Merchant’s Colombian emerald necklace is an excellent example of how colored gemstones add classiness to Indian weddings.
Read More about this in our blog: From Our Collection to a Celebrity's Celebration: Radhika Merchant's Emerald Necklace
Like gold and silver, precious gemstones like emeralds, ruby stone, and sapphires also signify status and wealth. These gems, along with diamonds, convey prestige and power. While embodying these ornate pieces, historical wealth is passed on to generations and generations.
Besides wealth and status, these gems also indicate protection. Manickam ratna signifies protection against evil eyes, psychic attacks, and negativity.
Modern brides looking for original aesthetics with a twist can blend the traditional style with contemporary ones. Repurposing the heirloom jewelry with gemstones or birthstones is a great idea one can go with. The big four diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are a good choice.
They add color and beauty to the jewelry and are durable. Thus stressing the real meaning of the word “heirloom.” The more durable the gems, the higher the chances of jewelry longevity.
Know More: Best Gemstone Alternatives for Diamond Engagement Ring
Adding your birthstone to the jewelry makes it more meaningful and valuable. Sapphire is the birthstone for September, and it is a great way to express your personality through jewelry pieces. More to add to this! Not only the big 4’s, gems like aquamarine stone, amethyst stone, tanzanite stone, and tourmaline stone are also making their unique place in heirloom jewelry.
Know More about Jewelry Trends in our blog: Indian Wedding Jewellery 2024-2025 - The Best In Trend!
In India, investment in gold has long been appreciated. But today, the gemstone market is also flourishing. The market size of gems and jewelry in India is estimated to grow and reach 127 billion US dollars by 2027. Thus, investing in gemstone jewelry is not only about beauty and elegance but also a wise decision- a win-win situation.
One can choose these gems based on the jewelry design and budget. However, one would be surprised that a 1-carat diamond can cost you more than a 1-carat sapphire stone. Besides this, a 1-carat blue sapphire stone looks bigger than the same carat weight diamond.
Rare gems like Alexandrite stone and Padparadscha sapphire stone are valuable investments.
Thus, heirloom gemstone jewelry is a sentimental investment and a legacy of wealth for future generations.
Here are some of the pro tips for caring for your precious gemstone jewelry:
Regular cleaning helps maintain the beauty of the jewelry. Use a soft brush, mild soap, and lukewarm water to remove dirt. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals.
Store the jewelry in a separate box to avoid tangling and tarnish.
Regular inspection is mandatory. Loose prongs and settings should be properly inspected to ensure gemstones do not fall off.
Avoid exposing the pieces to perfumes or cosmetics.
It's essential always to buy certified natural gemstones for incorporation into jewelry.
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January 21st, 2025
