Collection: Ethnic Neckpieces & Necklace Sets

Four traditions, one collection

Kundan work began in the Mughal courts and was refined in Rajasthan into one of the world's most intricate setting techniques: each gemstone is held by pure gold foil pressed around it by hand, with no claws or prongs. The result is a flat, luminous surface where the stones appear to float. Odara's Kundan chokers and broad bridal sets come from Jaipur workshops still working this way.

Polki is Kundan's close cousin, using uncut natural stones rather than faceted ones. The look is softer and warmer — less sparkle, more glow.

Temple jewellery follows a different lineage entirely. Originating in Tamil Nadu to adorn temple deities and later Bharatanatyam dancers, it is gold-toned, deeply embossed, and built around motifs of Lakshmi, Ganesha, peacocks and paisley. The deep red and green stones set into it are kemp. Odara's Laxmiji and Ganpatiji motif chokers sit in this tradition and are consistently among the collection's best sellers.

Meenakari is enamel work — the green, white and blue colour you'll see on the reverse of a Jaipur piece, or worked into the front of a tear-drop tukdi.

Choosing a length

A choker sits at the base of the neck and needs an open or wide neckline to work. It is the most photographed bridal shape and the most demanding one — it draws every eye to the collarbone.

A hasli is a rigid torque-style neckpiece with folk and tribal roots. It sits close, holds its shape, and works well against handloom and plain fabric.

Long necklaces, including matar-bead and rani haar styles, fall to the sternum or below and layer over a choker for a full bridal look. Sets that are designed to be layered are photographed that way on the product page.

If you are buying for a saree, remember the blouse neckline governs the choice more than the saree does. For kurtas and co-ords, a single long piece usually beats a layered set.

Buying a set versus a single piece

Most listings here are sets — neckpiece with matching earrings, and sometimes a maangtika. Buying as a set guarantees the gold tone and stone colour match, which is harder than it sounds: two gold-plated pieces from different production runs can read visibly different under photography lighting. If you are building a look across separate purchases, buy the neckpiece first and match the earrings to it, never the reverse.

Care and storage

Store neckpieces flat rather than hanging — the weight of a broad Kundan choker will stress its stringing over time. Keep each piece in its own pouch. Avoid contact with water, perfume and hair product; put jewellery on after dressing and take it off before removing makeup. Wipe with a dry soft cloth only, never a liquid cleaner, which will lift Kundan foil and dull meenakari enamel.

Common questions

Do neckpieces come with earrings? Most do. The product title and images show what is included — if earrings are part of the set, they appear in the photographs.

Is the length adjustable? Nearly all pieces use a dori (thread) tie-back or an extension chain, so the fit adjusts across several inches. Rigid hasli styles are the exception.

What suits a bride versus a guest? Brides tend toward broad layered Kundan or temple sets in the ₹8,000–₹16,000 range. Guests and bridesmaids are better served by a single statement choker or long piece — the Wedding Collection covers both.