Shankha and Pola : Customs and Bangles Bangali Women Wear

Customs and Bangles Bangali Women Wear

Hindu Bengali Women: The Symbols of Marriage

All these are symbols of marriage for Hindu Bengali

women. Many believe that wearing these could ward off bad omens. Check out Types of Bangles Worn By Indian Married Women.

Four main Symbols are:

1. Shankha

      Shakha are white bangles of conch-shell.

2. Pola

      Pola are red bangles made of red corals.

3. Loha

      Loha is a bangle made of iron. It is worn only in the left hand. It may or may not be              covered by gold.

4. Sindoor

     Sindoor is vermilion which is applied on the parting of the hair. Usage of sindoor by a

     woman implies that she is already married.

Shakha & Pola are pairs of conch shell specially Shakha the white bangle is made of conch shell, crafted & polished out of conch. Shakha and pola are worn in both the hands. Shakha & Pola are a symbol of a married woman. It is to be seen that within one year of the marriage, they do not break. If anything of that sort happens, it is not considered good omen for the married life of the bride.

Custom of Bengal

This custom is most popular in eastern part of India.In west bengal according to the Bengali culture the Shakha & pola has a great significance. Before the actual Bengali marriage day in the wee hours of very day, married women perform ritual called Dodhi Mangal in which they soak bangles made with shells in turmeric mixed water. Seven married women put shankha pola into bride’s hands. It symbolizes as seven forms of Goddess. According to the folk stories it is believed that this shankha pola custom belongs to poor fishermen because they can’t afford expensive jewelries. The bride has to wear Pola between Shankha or iron metal bangles. It is said that the iron bangle provides firmity to the relation & helps to balance the positive & negative power.

According to me this custom is another golden page of a married life. Shakha & pola are nature's blessing to the married woman. It's a naturally made shell just needs to be carved with care & patience. The Shakha though seems to be firm may get brittle if handled carelessly. Similarly in a married life the bride needs to make sure that she fulfills her responsibility without losing her charm, sensitivity & morals accompanied with auspicious thinking.
It's not mere a decor item but it's a proud for a married woman.
Traditionally whenever a married woman applied vermilion/sindur on her forehead as a symbol of being married she also applies a little vermillion on the left shakha.
Though nowadays Shakha & pola are quite expensive & not that cheap as it was before but still this wonderful tradition goes on without any hindrance.

Bengalis, don't have a concept of the Mangalsutra or Black thread(Nalla Pusa). Thay have the Shakha and Paula which tells others that a woman is married along with sindoor. In case, of death of the husband, a close relative has to break those two bangles with some rock near the funeral. That trend is fast changing now. Modern Bengali women rarely wear it anymore.

Dodhi Mongol(3rd Pre-Wedding Ritual) 

At dawn on the day of marriage seven married ladies adorn the bride's hands with the traditional bangles Shakha and Paula - one pair of red and one pair of white bangles, and feed her a meal of curd and rice, nowadays other dishes as well, the only meal after which the bride and her parents fast the whole day.

Why Shankh and Pola

According to some people, It might be that zamindars' wives used to wear them to match their red-and-white shankha polo bangles that all married Bengali women wear. Their sindoor too which is more reddish than orangey-red - as it is in other parts of India - and their alta. And then it caught on to the lower orders'.

Bengali Saree- Red and White
White represents purity and singleness but a married woman doesn't make a house alone, she has to live with and deal with a lot of people hence the thick border of red.

White is used to indicate purity and chastity of a woman; however, complete white was reserved for widows in Hindu society so for married women the red border was used to distinguish. Bridal wear is red and the red border symbolizes her fertility and fidelity and thus her power.

Conclusion

The fascination for red color in Bengali culture is immense to say the least. Just look at the color of the vermilion that gives the exotic combination of red and black. Also look at their hand, the same red and white combination.

Are you a Bengali? If yes what are your preferences? In not do you want to adapt to Bengali tradition?

Imitation Jewellery

The Fashion of Imitation Jewelry

The competent imitation jewelry makers require a big reward, given that they have reconstructed the tendency and have replaced these low-cost jewelleries for silver, that expensive gold and platinum. Certainly, women would rather make use of this cost-effective jewelry not just on their body, but even on clothing, bags and each of their exclusive extras.

Source :www.fashion-era.com

The artist collections are manufactured from the myriad of components including beans, glass, paper, satin ribbons, bling and there is a thorough usage of semi-precious gems like rhinestones, cubic zirconia - the most popular imitation stone. If they are occur perfect materials like polished iron, brass and nickel, they become positively pretty and have huge demand, across the world. check out Signs Of Imitation Jewellery

The phrase 'bling' is very common in the realm of designer jewelry, as the bling selection has an attitude, flashy and is classy. It is popular to locate designer diamond in bracelets, charms, bangles, toe rings, anklets, finger rings, earrings and whatnot. However, the toughness with this diamond is dependent upon the supplies and alloys used to produce them. Because it is affordable, beautiful and stronger than gold, some jewellers prefer to employ silver. The base alloys have a covering of silver or gold, to make them more fascinating.

Anyone can own an exclusive collection of contemporary designer jewellery. Even celebrities elegant for this type of jewellery, since it mimic the first jewellery with startling likeness. Additionally, the customers have a lot of choice to decide on and it is ideal for girls who want to pick from a selection of preferences. Modern girls desire for replica jewellery, as upkeep is fairly uncomplicated. They are designed by seasoned manufacturers with metals that are resistant to all weather conditions and weather factors including water. It is possible to enhance them once in some time to restore the initial shine and the brand new look, while frequent polishing is not required by them. check out for Imitation Jewellery Online

Modern diamond can perk up any attire; exhibit unique feeling of dressing; express uniqueness of the wearer; or can be used to enhance additional items. Artist diamond will certainly continue to attract and appeal to women using its inherent characteristics since new and refreshing designer collections are unveiled for every lifestyle and every year. Girls out of every part of this planet desire employing contemporary designer diamond, as they are not limited to a certain race or geographical spot.

Imitation jewellery has-been popular amonst the people that cannot pay the platinum. But nowadays with all the contemporary designer diamond, it has achieved a dazzling height, as never before that it has ended up to be an integrated section of ladies dressing. Designer jewellery is about excellence and extravagance. It gives first-rate search for for any celebration and both casual and formal costumes. They make an invincible design record that women are happy with checking them within their accessory assortment.

Trends for Fashion Jewellery

As trends come and go, fashion jewelry is a term used to describe any piece that is in style and not constructed from valuable metals or stones. It is a versatile category that includes a variety of materials, such as rubber, metal, plastic, acrylic, and semi-precious stones.

Fashion Jewellery

 Fashion jewellery- the trends are back

Fashion jewellery 

Fashion trends and style statements are never constant. They are usually shirt-lived and tend to wither off easily with changing seasons. Each season each year witnesses a change in the fashion statement with the old style becoming a pass. This change in the world of fashion also includes the world of Fashion Jewelry. We have seen trends appearing and disappearing in the fashion world only to re-appear again in the field. However, one thing is for sure whenever whatever style trend has arrived in the fashion world, they have had a high impact on the fashioniestas.  

fashion jewellery

            In context to the change, it can be certainly stated that fashion world has always                 evolved in coordination with the appearance of an individual. While the bold and               outgoing held a soft corner for the dazzling and sparkling jewelries, the reserved                 and the soft ones wished to maintain a chic and elegant style. Fashion also evolved             with time and appearance of the people. Now, as I said that style statements in                   terms of Fashion Jewelry always witnessed a re-appearance back in the fashionable           world, people get to wind up and accessorize with past trends a bit.

 History

During the World War II era, sterling silver was often incorporated into costume jewelry designs primarily because: The components used for base metal were needed for war time production (i.e., military applications) and a ban was placed on their use in the private sector.Base metal was originally popular because it could approximate platinum's color, sterling silver fulfilled the same function.This resulted in a number of years during which sterling silver costume jewelry was produced and some can still be found in today's vintage jewelry marketplace.

Modern costume jewelry incorporates a wide range of materials. High end crystals, cubic zirconia simulated diamonds, and some semi-precious stones are used in place of precious stones. Metals include GOLD- or silver-plated brass, and sometimes vermeil or sterling silver. Lower-priced jewelry may still use gold plating over pewter, nickel or other metals; items made in countries outside the United States may contain lead. Some pieces incorporate plastic, acrylic, leather or wood.

Most likely, fashion jewelry appeared was in the early 1700s. That was the era of glass blowing. Starting with earrings and moving on to pendants, glass became the material of choice in the manufacture of fashion jewelry. Let’s pause here and go further back in time, we all know that the concept of jewelry itself is almost as old as the history of man. All through the early time, people have been using items as unique as bones and teeth to decorate their bodies; but we will not consider them as fashion jewelry as it was not intended that way! After GOLD and diamonds started ruling the roost, jewelers have always been on the lookout for something more economical so that everyone could afford studded jewelry. Thus it came to the concept of semi precious metals and stones.

During Medieval Times, jewelry was widely adorned and worn by various levels of society. Brooches, pendants and pins with religious motifs were very popular during this period. Jewelry became so popular, sumptuary laws were created to limit lower levels of society from wearing gold and silver jewelry.

15th - 17th Centuries

Fake pearls and enamels became increasingly acceptable and were mass produced. These items were typically worn during the daytime as substitute for finer jewelry. Fine jewelry was kept for evening wear. Diamonds increased in popularity as well. The invention of the prong setting enhanced the brilliance of the diamond; therefore, expanding its allure with the upper-classes.

Victorian Era

The Victorian Era was an important advancement for Jewelry as an art form. Artistic expression became more apparent in fashion and jewelry. The early Victorian years were referred to as the Romantic period. The Romantic period emphasized dreams and emotions as inspiration for artistic expression. Morning brooches were a staple of this period. The hair of a loved one was intertwined within a pin, pendant, or brooch to make a sentimental piece of jewelry.

Mass production of jewelry lowered its luster with Victorians as importation of jewelry began from North America to Europe; thus, the beginning of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Arts and Crafts guilds were smaller jeweler associations, but provided higher quality jewelry and intricate artwork in design.

Early 20th Century

The Art Nouveau Movement was derived from the Arts and Crafts movement. It started in Paris and spread to North America. Asymmetrical and flowing lines inspired natural designs. Among these natural designs, floral and female forms were very popular. This period has a continuous influence on Jewelry design.

1930 to 1940

The reinstatement of mass produced jewelry followed the Art Nouveau Movement. This type of jewelry was meant to be worn selectively as an accessory to specific outfits. Two designers, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli masterminded accessorizing fine and costume jewelry with day to day fashion. Vermeil jewelry was popular, but in short supply from war efforts. Rhinestones popularity increased.

1950's

Hollywood's flamboyance and glamour influence spread across continents. Engrained with it was costume jewelry on the silver screen. The styles and look of the stars quickly spread and was widely accepted across the world. The emergence of the middle class in America increased the demand for costume jewelry. This encouraged technical advances in mass production methods.

Today's era has brought a creative culmination of styles to fashion jewelry, both timeless and trendy. Many celebrities have caught the wave by designing their own lines. Tori Spelling and Suzanne Somers are among a few. The fashion Jewelry industry is now a multi-billion dollar industry.

Jewelry is much more eclectic in today's era. Pieces are made by many different stones, textures, colors, various lengths, or metals. Jewelry is sold in large department stores, restaurants, gift shops, jewelry parties, and boutiques.

Fashion jewelry adds a splash of pizazz to attire no matter the occasion. Most importantly, fashion jewelry is fun! It is fun to shop for jewelry, sell jewelry, collect jewelry, and of course, show it off. 

                    

 Common jewelry types 

1 ) Earrings, which is any jewelry worn on the ears.

2)  Necklaces, worn aroung the neck.

3) Finger rings and toe rings (finger rings are usually just called "ring")

4)  Bracelets or bangles, worn on the wrists.

5) Arm rings or armlets, worn on the upper arms.

6)   Pins or Brooches, worn on clothes for decoration or  keeping clothes from undoing.

 7) Piercings, which is jewelry that is put through holes in the skin.

 Digital jewellery

Digital jewellery is the fashion jewelry with embedded intelligence. "Digital Jewellery" can help you solve problems like forgotten passwords and security badges. "Digital jewelry" is a nascent catchphrase for wearable ID devices that contain personal information like passwords, identification, and account information. They have the potential to be all-in-one replacements for your driver's license, key chain, business cards, credit cards, health insurance card, corporate security badge, and loose cash. They can also solve a common dilemma of today's wired world - the forgotten password. 

Originally, costume or fashion jewelry was made of inexpensive simulated gemstones, such as rhinestones or lucite, set in pewter, silver, nickel or brass. During the depression years, rhinestones were even down-graded by some manufacturers to meet the cost of production.

FASHION JEWELLERY

FASHION JEWELLERY :

Costume jewellery and fashion jewellery for 2015 has been evolving and changing during the year as the celebrities and fashion houses have released new styles and trends.

2015 fashion and costume jewellery has seen bolder designs, with stylish finishes in gold and silver. We have also seen the increase in pastel and earth colours. This will continue in influence the styles and colours for coming years and beyond.

For many centuries, jewelries have already been one way of a woman’s expression of herself. They could either signify one’s status in society, worn as a fashion statement, or put on as a reminder of something with sentimental value. Whatever the reasons are, the fact that jewelries naturally highlight and bring out the beauty of a woman can’t be denied. One piece of jewelry that every woman should have is a pair of simple yet elegant diamond stud earrings.

• The advantage of diamond stud earrings is the fact that you could practically wear them in almost any kind of occasion and pair them with almost any kind of outfit. Whether at a special event or just on a casual day, you could never go wrong with these earrings.

• Diamond stud earrings are considered to be timeless classic pieces when it comes to women’s jewelries. Even when you’re just wearing a simple outfit, diamond stud earrings will definitely bring out your glow in one way or another without exerting too much effort on it.

Proposing Your Man With Fashionable Diamond Engagement Ring:

Engagement rings for women are generally a common idea but engagement ring for men would sound quite different. Wedding trends have also changed with the changing times. Now even men’s engagement rings are available in a variety of designs. Nowadays it is not news when women propose marriage to men as romantically as men do. Moreover, the gay marriages have also been legalized following which the men will have to propose their boyfriends in the same way as it is done for generations.  Whatever may be the situation, the one who proposes, be it a man or women should be ready with an engagement ring for the other.

Mostly men prefer to wear something which is simple and yet attractive. Generally they like gold, silver or platinum band which are in simple designs. But nowadays there are varied fashion rings and men are open to many creative designs provided by the jewelry designers. Even though the plain bands remain hot favorite among men, some would go for rings with a stone or two embedded in theirs. The plain gold bands are considerably cheap and are a convenient option as men’s engagement rings. Majority of men like diamond engagement rings that usually come in thick bands with stones, mostly diamonds.

Since everyone wish to make their special moment unique and creative, men have started preferring titanium, palladium and tungsten rings for a change. Men are even opting for unique engagement ring design by combining two or three different metal bands to make a single thick ring. These days there are three types of shades available namely white, rose and green gold in addition to the traditional yellow gold. For making an exquisite design of gold engagement ring for men, it is possible to create a thick band by uniting thin bands of each of these gold shades.

• More often than not, some women have the tendency to spend lots of money on various accessories, only to find out later on about the challenge of pairing them with their wardrobe. A sparkling pair of diamond studs is practically one of the best investments you can make that will give you an easier time to mix and match when dressing up.

• These simple pair of studs could make you look elegant with just a minimal amount of effort. And the best thing about them is that they can perfectly go along with a wide range of your outfits – from formal dresses to the casual jeans and shirt.

• Another reason why you should choose to have at least a pair of diamond studs is the fact that it never goes out of trend. Many other kinds of jewelry items go out of fashion after a year or so. However, diamond stud earrings have already proven the test of time. This timeless beauty is definitely one of the best treasures you can add in your jewelry box.

Diamond stud earrings bring out your beauty in a simple and subtle kind of way. By being able to do so, these simple studs could have an effect more than just on the physical aspect of woman. More importantly, they could help increase confidence and self-esteem by allowing women to feel much better about themselves

Fashion jewellery

Why fashion jewellery is new in trend ?

Most likely, fashion jewelry appeared was in the early 1700s. That was the era of glass blowing. Starting with earrings and moving on to pendants, glass became the material of choice in the manufacture of fashion jewelry.

Let’s pause here and go further back in time, we all know that the concept of jewelry itself is almost as old as the history of man. All through the early time, people have been using items as unique as bones and teeth to decorate their bodies; but we will not consider them as fashion jewelry as it was not intended that way! After gold and diamonds started ruling the roost, jewelers have always been on the lookout for something more economical so that everyone could afford studded jewelry. Thus it came to the concept of semi precious metals and stones.

Diamond prospectors from the world were finding uniquely colored stones in the rivers and river beds. Since they were not really so rare or anything, they were given the term semi-precious stones. For those who could not afford real diamonds, these semi precious stones became the next best alternative. In fact, these became so popular that jewelers included gemstone jewelry as part of their mainstream selling items and they were studded in precious metals like Gold and Silver. This became real popular in the 1800s and that holds true even today.

In the 1930s, a whole new concept of fashion jewelry came into existence with the usage of Rhinestone in its making. Named thus as they were originally gathered from the Rhine river, Rhinestones became the natural substitute for diamonds and people from all over the world immediately fell in love with these stones. They became so popular that they found their ways into the tiaras of crowns on the heads of queens all over, and even into engagement rings of the time! The prime reason was that you could afford a much bigger rhinestone at the price of a tiny little diamond.
Coming to the history of fashion jewelry, we come into the machine made era. Though the romantics feel that the machine has spoilt the beauty of the hand-made costume jewelry, the truth is that the machine has made fashion jewelry more affordable and has enabled people to produce enough to fuel the interest of millions of ladies from all over the world.

Finally, there is one thing that is very interesting and we should mention it here. Fashion jewelry is an extremely collectible item, and also acquires vintage status with time. There are several cases of vintage fashion jewelry auctions going into hundreds of thousands of dollars!

So the next time you are out buying fashion jewelry, feel happy and in fact, proud that you are out to get a product with a colorful history!

Colored Diamonds Engagement Rings:

Diamonds come in different cuts and shades. Colored diamond engagement rings are very trendy these days. Who can forget J. Lo’s pink diamond stunner or Carrie Underwood’s yellow diamond ring? They are truly one of a kind. Their rings look elegant and sophisticated. If you want to buy colored diamond engagement ring, check out the different designs online. You can choose a ring with argyle pink and red diamonds or the natural blue diamonds. Blue diamonds are often associated with royalty, wisdom, and prestige.

Braided Ring With Diamond Accent:

If you browse online, you will certainly find a stunning ring that features a single diamond accent set on a black and white rhodium pave pattern. Because of its highly polished finish and braided accent, this design is one of the hottest trends in engagement rings today.

Eternity Bands:

Before, eternity bands are given by the husband to his wife on a significant anniversary. However, these days, this has become a popular style for engagement rings.  The ring usually comprises a band of precious metal, silver or gold and set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones. It symbolizes the never-ending love of the couple.

Engagement rings are special. It symbolizes future marriage. If you want to make your lady feel special, don’t just consider the price. Make sure that you find an engagement ring that suits her personality and lifestyle. Above are some of the hottest trends in engagement rings today, be sure to check out these styles for your lady.

Fashion Jewellery & Statement Jewellery

Fashion Jewellery & statement jewellery

Fashion jewellery never felt this good! Experience the unique sensation of revolutionary style with lola and grace; jewelry and accessories for forward-thinking fashionistas.

1) Less is more

Bold pieces should be allowed to stand out, so do not over-crowd your look by wearing them within close proximity of each other. It is preferable to wear one at a time, but if you do want to wear more than one statement piece, make sure not to wear statement bracelets and rings together and avoid wearing statement earrings and necklaces at the same time.

Chandelier earrings and a cuff bracelet can look beautiful when worn together, while a long necklace and a cocktail ring can match perfectly. Just make sure to select items that coordinate. Try to stick with the same kind of metal and avoid clashing patterns and charms. check for how to save jewellery from discoloration.

Layered chain necklaces can look extremely charming if worn correctly. Keep your look tasteful by making sure that you do not layer too many strands together and keep tabs on how much sparkle you layer on.

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Avoid wearing long chain necklaces, however, if you are wearing a belt, as there will be too much going on around the same area. Wide chokers and bib necklaces can stand to be your sole statement piece, so let such items take center stage and forgo other pieces of jewelry.

2) Make it Simple

Big accessories are best worn with simple clothes. Steer clear of busy patterns and embellishments such as sequins when wearing bold jewelry. Remember, you want your statement piece to stand out, so match items wisely.

A little black dress is the perfect match for one or two attention-grabbing pieces, while jeans and a pure white top will make an ideal backdrop for something big, bright and colourful. Try to stick to neutral and block colour items when wearing bright and detailed accessories. Less busy pieces can work very well with patterned items of clothing, however.

Don’t pull the focus away from your bold jewelry. Coordinate smaller accessories with your statement pieces by keeping them to a minimum and sticking to the same colour or metal.

3. Choose earrings wisely

Statement earrings are beautiful, ornate and cannot be missed. They will be the first thing that anyone talking to you will notice. To make sure they frame your face, choose a pair that suits your face shape and enhances your features. Choosing the wrong pair can be distracting, so take details such as length, colour, shape and outfit coordination into consideration when choosing adornment for your ears.

When wearing dangly statement earrings, it is better to keep your hair sleek and not too big. Remember, it’s all about balance, so while you can pump up the volume with simple earrings, larger ones will balance better with loose waves or poker-straight hair. check for Fashion jewellery online.

Alternatively, pull your hair up into a chic chignon. Also make sure that your make-up balances well with your earrings. If you are wearing a brightly coloured pair, they may look best with clean and simple makeup.

4. Match the right necklace with the right neckline

The best way to make sure a statement necklace stands out is to wear it with the right neckline. Strapless, off-the shoulder, scoop necked or v-necked dresses and tops are ideal, as they will let your statement piece do the talking.

Collars, halter necks and detailing close to the face should be avoided, as they will clash with bold pieces. A one-colour turtle-neck sweater can work beautifully with a statement necklace, provided that it is form-fitting and one colour throughout.

Make sure to wear a statement necklace next to a simple and preferably one-colour top to keep the look chic and to do your necklace justice. You can never go wrong with neutral tones, so wear bright and attention-grabbing necklaces with black, white or nude to keep the look elegant.

Statement necklaces have been a huge trend for a while now, and it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere any time soon. For good reason, too: the right statement necklace can bring any outfit to the next level. A really glam one can transform a plain outfit into something special, and a particularly large one might be the only accessory you need with a certain dress.

My personal favorite way to wear statement necklaces is to pair them with something that is otherwise boring, like a plain dress or a t-shirt and jeans. They’re such an easy way to dress up something simple, and can be worn in so many different ways. But because they make such a, well, statement, these pieces of jewelry can sometimes feel a little intimidating. And that’s why these style tips are here – to give you new ideas you never thought of, or inspiration to come up with your own awesome outfit.