From gold to silver: How Indian brides are redefining wedding jewellery

Conspicuous on the Paris Fashion Week While due credit may have been missing, it reignited the conversation around those discernible silver earrings that our women have worn for centuries. Silver accessories are clearly having their own fashion moment today, making their presence felt not simply as everyday office jewels but as elaborate wedding sets that are no longer limited to chunky designs in gold that cost a fortune. “Silver has become a favourite for the younger bride precisely because it doesn’t just sit in a locker after the big day,” says Akanksha Arora, CEO, Tribe Amrapali. “Whether it’s a stack of intricate bangles, a signature ring, or a bold statement piece, brides continue to style them long after the wedding festivities are over. It’s a versatile investment that stays relevant and wearable for years to come.”

Malleably magnificent

The landscape of Indian weddings transforms with every passing decade. From gold designs weighing a few kilos to understated and delicate pieces, the ride has been practical yet enjoyable. Silver appears to be taking centre stage, adds Akanksha, because it offers design flexibility that allows a bride’s personality to truly shine.Resha Jain, Chief Brand Officer of Giva, explains: “While gold will always hold emotional and cultural significance in weddings, modern brides are also looking for pieces that feel more personal, wearable, and reflective of their own style. That’s where silver naturally finds its place.” Silver sits at the intersection of tradition and individuality in the modern narrative. It represents a softer, more experimental way to style a bridal ensemble while continuing to carry a sense of cultural richness. “It allows them to create layered looks, mix metals, and play with textures in a way today’s women believe in styling,” adds Maya Varma, Co-Founder and Chief Brand & Product Officer of Teejh.

All that glitters 

In a culturally-rich nation like India, jewellery transcends the conforms of mere accessories to signify heritage, tradition, and heirloom, seeped in sentimental value. In the context of weddings, there’s the added factor of status and visibility, which perhaps explains the immediate connect to gold. However, the milieu is changing, largely thanks to the evolving mindset of brides.“Brides today mix metals, experiment with oxidised finishes, and pair heritage-inspired jewellery with modern outfits,” highlights Khushboo Jain, Designer and Co-owner of Ambir Jewellery. “As silver also offers incredible craftsmanship and detailing, it allows brides to explore statement jewellery without the formality or weight that gold sometimes carries.”

Akanksha further notes that the soaring value of silver has also contributed to its place as a respected asset, with people becoming a lot more well-travelled. She explains, “Today’s brides are much more adventurous, moving beyond age-old traditions to embrace designs that feel fresh and personal. This evolution is driven by a generation that values self-expression and experimentation.” The preference for gold, Resha says, is also a result of the metal’s nature as inheritance passed on through generations, despite which brides are approaching jewellery remarkably differently. “A big factor is practicality,” she stresses. “Many want jewellery they can actually wear after the wedding. Silver gives them the freedom to experiment with design while still choosing pieces that remain relevant long after the celebrations are over.”

Welcoming versatility 

The canvas of a modern Indian bride is open to a minefield of experiments. With age-old norms out of the picture, she’s making sure to shine as the best version of herself, and silver jewellery fits into this vision seamlessly and with versatility. “Silver works beautifully for the more playful, expressive parts of the wedding, especially functions like the mehendi and sangeet,” says Resha. “Brides gravitate toward statement earrings, layered necklaces, or bold cuffs in silver that complement vibrant outfits without feeling too heavy.” Akanksha paints a picture: playful silver floral drops, or a dainty bajubandh to add a bohemian sparkle to the yellow hues of the haldi; bold, carved pieces like an intricate mathapatti or dangler earrings for the mehendi; high-impact ear cuffs and layered bangles for the sangeet; an oversized, multi-layered thread necklace adorned with pearls that offer a regal, avant-garde edge to the wedding ensemble.

Modern bridal choices

It’s a thing of the past to have bridal jewellery that ends up sitting in lockers for the entirety of one’s lifetime, to rarely see the light of day besides the wedding of, perhaps, a close kin. But brands appear to be changing this narrative, designing pieces that feel festive yet versatile for women with more contemporary choices. “Some of our standout styles include statement silver chokers inspired by traditional Indian motifs, which work beautifully for mehendi or sangeet looks,” says Maya. Over the years, as bridal jewellery, silver statement pieces are not just a fleeting trend but a way of life, an intrinsic part of celebrations. From the jhumkas now making their presence felt on the global fashion map, to our own storied tribal adornments, silver continues to leave its shining mark.

This article first appeared in Brides Today India's Volume 8 Number 1 issue. 

Also read: Amit Aggarwal - The architect of futuristic style

Also read: Foliage-printed sarees for the chic wedding guest