Mohan Mala
A Maharashtrian long necklace of several strands of plain gold or pearl beads, worn in multiple rows.
A mohan mala runs two, four or six strands of identical round beads at matinee to opera length.
There is no pendant. The rhythm of the beads and the layering of the rows is the whole design.
Pearl versions substitute round pearls for the gold beads and hang noticeably lighter.
When you are buying
Because every bead is identical, matching is the only thing to judge. Lay it in a curve and look for any bead that breaks the line.
Multi-strand necklaces
A few from the collection, from ₹2,850.
Simple 19Inch Necklace With 3mm White Oval Pearls & Kemp Lotus Pendant
Delicate 18Inch White Oval Pearls Taar Necklace With 925 Green Kemp Pendant
Vibrant 19Inch White Seed Pearls Taar Necklace With 925 Peacock Pendant
Subtle 22Inch White Oval Pearls Taar Necklace With 925 Turquoise Pendant
6 lines taar mala in seed pearls and real emeralds
6 Lines Taar Mala in 4mm large white seed pearls
Simply superb taar mala in beautiful real seed pearls
Graceful Taar Mala Necklace With White Seed Pearls & Ruby Emerald Sapphire Beads
Thushi
A Maharashtrian choker of tightly packed beads on a rigid band, sitting close against the throat.
Kolhapuri Saj
A Maharashtrian necklace of leaf-shaped pendants, traditionally twenty-one, each carrying its own meaning.
Lines
How many parallel strands a necklace is made from. A 3-line necklace has three rows running together into one clasp.
Matinee Length
Roughly 20 to 24 inches, falling on the chest. Reads as daywear rather than evening formality.
Matching
How consistently the pearls within one piece agree on size, colour, lustre and shape. A grading factor in its own right.