TRADITIONAL

Hindu

The AVARNAS were prevented from wearing gold ornaments in ancient times. They used to wearKallumala (bead necklace) and bangles made of brass and other cheap metals.

The Namboothiri men wore plain golden finger rings and elassu (golden amulet) attached to the waist string. Big ear pendants or KUNDALAM is worn by the vaidikan (Priest).

The Namboothiri women wore hollow cylinders made of gold and hanging from the distended lobes like a necklace and called chutty-cheruthali. These- consisted of a number of gold coins through the eyes of which a silk cord was passed. Bangles made of gold where worn; ornaments in the nose or on the head, were also worn.

The Adyan Namboothiri used to wear Kuzhuthila and 'Karumalapattu'.The Adyam Namboothiri were distinguished by the peculiarities in their form of dressing. They wore silver bangles on the fingers while others wore only pewter or bell metal bangles. The women of Nayar, Ambalavasi and other Hindu castes used to wear THODA or THAKKA in their dilated earlobe. The TODA was a convex disc made of gold the front surface of which was either plain or set with rubies. NAGAPATAM or Serpent's hood was the oldest ornament of the Nayar women. It was called after the shape of a pendant worn around the neck.

Nalupantiyantram, puthali, avilmala, Kantaaram, arimpumani, tandumotiram, pulinakham, patakkam, addiyal and pavithramothiram (Payyannur) come under neck ornaments.The Mookuthi was the popular nose ornament. The nattukappu was worn on wrists. The 'mothiram' (ring) was worn on the fingers. ANKLETS were called as PADASARAM or KOLLUSSU. Round the waist was worn the KACHAPPURAM, a chain or belt of gold or silver was worn by the children, around the waist. KETTUMINNU was worn by girls after Thalikettukalyanam (Thali-tying in marriage ceremony).

KSHATHRIYA women used to wear two forms of ear rings KATHILA or MANIKATHILA and consisting of golden beads ;PUTTUKATHILA shaped like a horseshoe in outline and consisting of two halves nailed together, with the outside presenting a view of closely set golden knobs of different sizes systematically arranged one of these two earrings, a waist ornament (aranjanam ) and anklets are the ornaments worn during the Thali-tying and Puberty or first menstruation ceremonies. There were two sets of ornaments, one for daily use and the other for special occasions. Tantran and Kuzhal were the popular neck ornaments worn by Ambalavasi women.

In South Travancore, Ezhava women wore PAMPATAM (ear ornaments of Tamil Sudra women). In north Travancore the earring of Ezhava women was the 'ATTUKKAM SAMKHU CHAKKARAM' and 'ATTIMINNU' was the neck ornament. The men of the Nayar, Ambalavasi and some other -Hindu castes used to wear their earlobes and wore KADUKKAN.

Christian women

The traditional CHRISTIAN women wore MEKKAMOTIRAM or Kunuk(heavy gilt gold ring) on the upper ear lobe. No ornaments for nose. Some Christians do not use ornaments. They wore a necklace called Ottezhapatakkom and rings of various kinds for fingers and anklets.

The traditional Nadar Christian ear ornaments are very different from other. The women wear necklaces and earrings of elaborate and considerable weight. The ear rings consist of Studs on the upper portion of the ear as on the earlobes. MUDICHI, PAMPATAM, THANDOTE and ARITHALAPPU are the ear ornaments. The traditional necklace is called the CHITTIRU.

A type of THODA, THAKKA made of wood, lead or brass in the dilated earlobe is worn by AVARNA women. They also used to wear OLACHUTTU (scroll of PANDANUS or coconut leaf) in the earlobe. A bead necklace, Kallumala was the usual ornament for the neck.

Muslim women

Muslim women have innumerable varieties of ornaments for the different parts of the body. The ornaments for the ear are MEKKATH, PACHAKALLU, ALICATH and JIMIKKI. They wear a number of coiled gold or silver earrings called ALICATH.

To adorn their hair MUDIPOO and MUDICHAKRAM are used-Nettippattam is worn on the forehead. Different types of PATHAKKAM, ASHTIK OTTAPATHAKAM, PADIMALA, PAANGOA and CHAKRAKANNIMALA are worn. They also used a waist belt called ARAPPATTA (of gold or silver is worn) silver ankle chain are also popular among them.

Tribal women

The tribal women in the hills used to wear ornaments made of palm leaves, wood and beads from wild plants to adorn themselves. The Paniya women wore rolled palm leaves in their dilated earlobes. The cholanaickam use neck chains of beads from wild plants and bangles were made of a kind of grass.

The unmarried Mullu Kurumba women wore metal ear studs and a nose-pin known as PATHA. The married women wore bangles on both forearms and metal rings on the upper arms-KATHILA were also worn in the ears after marriage and a chain known as ELACE was worn round the wrist.

Nakshatra Diamonds

Nakshatra, the Diamond Trading Co brand has introduced its new Bridal Line. The famous bride Aishwarya is the face for Nakshatra and is adorning the new designs. Nakshatra’s association with Aishwarya helped the brand achieve a unique position in consumer minds. The new range of bridal jewellery offers classic cluster designs that capture the aura and brilliance of the celestial world. The brand has attained a desirable image amongst its target customers.

Nakshatra is inspired from traditional floral jewellery. The name Nakshatra (Sanskrit for Constellation) arose from the end product itself – a circular orchestration of diamonds resembling a constellation of stars. Diamond Trading Company (DTC) launched Nakshatra – an exquisite range of diamond jewellery in the Indian market in November 2000.

MODERN Gold

Fashion has caught on with the malayalee in a large way. All those traditional types of ornaments have given way to newer and newer fashions. KAMMAL (modern stud) gold rings, Jimikkies have stamped upon the old TODA or THAKKA. Various fashionable long chains and necklaces are available now-KAPPA (bracelet) has been replaced by vala (bangles) of numerous designs.

Plastic

The fashion scene of the jewelry has been buzzing lately with plastic jewelry. Yes, plastic which is otherwise considered to be a cheap commodity, when designed with a fashionable stroke is converted into some of the most exquisite pieces of design. Plastic fashion jewelry is definitely making a comeback in kerala. One of the most famous fibers used to make this jewelry is the crisp Lucite which is available in a vibrant array of colors today. Most of these Plastic fashion jewelry ornaments boast of bright and fanciful colors, which are the perfect colors for the season of spring. These colors are added when the plastic is molten, and that is the only reason why the plastic jewelry does not lose the color even when its is rubbed off. Plastic fashion jewelry is usually made through the process of molding. Plastic is usually molded into a number of fun and interesting jewelry shapes, which can range from whimsical little animals sporting bows around their necks to bold Mod bangles and finger rings.

Vintage Fashion

Vintage fashion jewelry is also making a comeback lately. In the segment of the vintage jewelry, the glamorous styles of the 1940s are definitely a rage. The most obvious signs of this shift toward '40s fashion jewelry is the recent obsession that has been growing with feminine, draping chandelier earrings and big, sparkly rhinestone brooches.