With the festive season approaching, we thought it would be the perfect moment to brighten up this pandemic-plagued existence by blinging it up with our favourites of contemporary Indian jewellery companies that won’t break the bank.
Jinal, the founder and sculptor, was inspired by his love of insects while naming the brand, which is pronounced dukdi. Expect delicately patterned moth and beetle-inspired pieces to sneak their way into your heart. Jinal calls her designs “metal wearables,” and she uses non-precious metals like brass to make one-of-a-kind pieces that honour duality in all of its manifestations.
Even a set of earrings, in her devotion to asymmetry, could include one piece that is somewhat different from the other. We’re lured to the adjustable Solus ring and the exquisite patinated Luna Moth danglers like moths to a flame. From Rs.1,200 onwards
Handcrafted Indian jewellery manufacturers that use 92.5 sterling silver and 18K gold, but aren’t too expensive to break the bank? It sounds as shady as receiving an email from a Nigerian prince promising you money. Melt, the contemporary Indian jewellery business founded by fashionista Arushi Parakh, is anything from a con. Her line includes unisex pieces, classics like silver chains and hoops that can be mixed and matched, sculptural statement pieces, and lots of gem-encrusted baubles if you’re in the mood to go stoned.
The Gold Asteroid Necklace, which mixes the feel of lava with the shine of gold, has us starry-eyed. From Rs.1,000 onwards
A reversible pendant with a one paisa coin on one side and a turquoise stone on the other, a Shiva pendant featuring the coolest god in the pantheon, a coin from 480-420 BC featuring Greek Goddess Athena turned into the most gorgeous danglers, a reversible pendant with a one paisa coin on one side and a turquoise stone on the other, a Shiva pendant featuring the coolest god in the pantheon
Olio’s 18K gold on brass pieces are rooted in history but sparkle with a contemporary sheen, handcrafted by artisans in Jaipur utilising the ancient lost-wax casting method. Sneha Saksena, who founded the company with Aashna Singh, dug into her numismatist grandfather’s collection for their coin treasures series. The label wants to serve up modern heirlooms for the multitasking millennial, drawing influence from historical and mythological personalities, Indian traditions and crafts.
Their Devi collection, which is inspired by Saraswati, Durga, and Lakshmi, is a fan favourite, encouraging us to harness our inner goddesses. Rs.2,500 and up
Handcrafted pieces with candy-colored gemstones that have an authentically Indian feel yet don’t appear like your great-outdated grandmother’s costume jewellery. Devi Jaipur, created by Devika Arora, is a contemporary Indian jewellery brand based in Jaipur that collaborates with local artisans to make pure silver gem-studded pieces utilising filigree, patwa work, and enamelling techniques. Traditional enough to go with your palazzos and crop tops, yet modern enough to go with them.
We adore their rose-quartz and moonstone earrings, as well as the ghungroo-inspired Taabiir collection’s ghungroo-inspired earrings. From Rs.1,200 onwards
Do you think we’d be able to get our hands on one of these sculptural statement cuffs that make us appear like modern-day warrior queens if we put it out into the universe? Manreet and Samraat Deol’s vegan jewellery brand, made of nature and mythology-inspired pieces with an Indian soul, is excellent for the world and your conscience, despite the poor puns.
The majority of their raw materials are recycled, and their artisan manufacturing techniques (such as sandcasting) are non-polluting, according to their website. Each piece is made by hand using the PanchDhatu alloy, which is a mix of gold, silver, copper, iron, and zinc.
They cater to both men and women, as well as over-grown children who will pretend to be Indian Wonder Woman while wearing their cloud cuff and necklace (like me). Approximately Rs.1,000 and up
The brand’s jewellery combines semi-precious stones and metals to produce wonderfully imperfect pieces, just like the name Eurumme is a portmanteau of the Latin word ‘Aurum,’ which means gold, and founder Eishita’s initial. Raw, yet polished, minimalist, yet statement-making pieces.
No two items are ever the same, because to the notion of ‘imperfect is beautiful.’ Their collection includes bangles, bracelets, chokers, collar pins, armlets, and palm cuffs, among other bright jewels that are as distinctive as they are beautiful. We’re over over heels in love with the Autumn cuff right now.
P.S. They’ve also released a line of gender-neutral jewellery. From Rs.1,000 onwards
Silver-polished balis with ghungroo-like embellishments that don’t make your ears feel like they’re carrying the world on their shoulders. Metal bangles in gold and silver that look as good with a sari as they do with a sheath dress.
Dhora’s products are the epitome of modern India, with basic, wearable items based on Indian karigari traditions. The landscapes and customs of Aavriti Jain’s home state of Rajasthan inspire her as much as the Italian style (she studied in Milan). With her brass pieces, she gives us the best of both worlds.
The Madhyam chandabalis are our choice for the festival season (yeah, we’ll wear them at home, daydreaming about all the Diwali parties we could have attended).
From Rs.1,000 onwards
So far, the only places we’ve visited have been grocery stores, hospital tales, and possibly streaming services. ME by MEgha creator Megha Agarwal gets inspiration for her baubles from local art and craft from throughout the world.Sure, it’s a shortcut to really going out and experiencing things for yourself — but if it’s so nicely packaged and allows us to support local artists, why not?
Her jewellery is constructed of brass and polished to a gold or silver finish. The Inverted Comma hoops are perfect for grammar freaks, while the leaf-inspired diamonds will bring you closer to your favourite outdoors. From Rs.1,450 onwards
Sure, mathematics might give us nightmares, but when it’s translated into handcrafted jewellery that seems like it’s flowing across your earlobes and fingertips, it’s hard to be scared. The firm, which was founded by two design graduates, focuses on making simple metal jewellery that fits seamlessly into the wardrobe of the always multitasking millennial who requires his or her jewellery to be both gorgeous and thought-provoking.
This, or any other festive season, we can count on their Geometria line to add value to any of our Indo-western ensembles. From Rs.400 onwards
A glitter-filled heart with a purple amethyst — a dangler straight out of Alice’s Wonderland — that will let you live out your ideal escape during these dark days. The Cosmic Love earrings are one of our favourite items from Hannan’s collection, and we can’t wait to wear them. The bright, ethereal, otherworldly look of Bhaavya and Rishi’s brand drew our attention. We had no idea that the fanciful – aliens, galaxies, black humour, parallel universes — had inspired us.
Earring, charms , necklaces, and bracelets are all made of brass and gold-plated. And we’re enchanted by everyone of them. From Rs.600 onwards
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