The Significance of Gold in Traditional Indian Jewelry

Indian jewelry is as ancient and complex as Indian civilization itself. Gold, in particular, has a deep-rooted history and significance in India. Beyond being a status symbol and display of wealth, it is also a means of saving and investing. Adorning oneself in jewelry is not only a custom and tradition for Indian people, but it also has meaning and value attached to each and every piece. Gold is an investment that increases in value over time and can easily be converted to cash. The value and rarity of gold make it a source of comfort and security in times of economic trouble. Gold also has great religious significance for Indians, particularly those of the Hindu faith. Gold is the symbol of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, and features prominently in religious ceremonies and weddings of all prominent Indian faiths, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity and Islam. Additionally, gold is often bought or presented at festivals such as Dhanteras, which is the first day of Diwali, and Akshaya Tritiya, which is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings. Auspiciousness, or success and prosperity in general, is very important in Indian culture, as evidenced by the mangalsutra, which literally means “an auspicious thread.” The mangalsutra is a gold necklace that the groom ties around his bride’s neck during the wedding ceremony to symbolize her newfound status as a married woman. It is one of the most sacred aspects of the marriage ceremony and is believed to protect the couple from evil and grant the groom a long life. Because the wife will wear this piece all her life, we feature only the finest and most fashionable gold mangalsutras in our collection. Due to its cultural and religious significance, it should come as no surprise that gold is particularly prevalent at Indian weddings. It is believed that a bride wearing gold bangles at her wedding will bring luck and happiness to the marriage. Gold bangles are also considered one of the most important ornaments an Indian bride can wear and are one of the solah shringar, the sixteen steps that make up the bridal look. Malak Jewelers carries a number of 22k gold bangles for weddings and any occasion. Malak Jewelers has the largest collection of Indian jewelry in the Charlotte area, complete with 22k gold bangles, chains, pendants, rings, earrings, gold bars, Lakshmi coins, and children’s jewelry. Because of this, we believe it is important to educate our customers on the significance behind these pieces and the value of gold and jewelry in Indian culture. At Malak Jewelers, we invite you to come in as a customer and leave as a friend.