Satlada
A seven-string pearl necklace, the signature piece of Hyderabadi Nizami jewellery.
Sat means seven and lada means string. A satlada runs seven graduated rows of pearls, sometimes several thousand in a single piece.
It is the most famous form associated with the Nizams of Hyderabad, and the reason Hyderabad became the centre of Indian pearl work.
Related counts have their own names: panchlada for five rows, tinlada for three, dolada for two.
When you are buying
The work is in the sorting. Seven rows have to graduate smoothly and agree in colour across every strand, so judge a satlada on how evenly the rows sit rather than on the pearls alone.
Multi-row pearl 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
Taar Mala
A necklace of many fine parallel strands gathered into one clasp. Traditional Hyderabadi pearl work.
Lines
How many parallel strands a necklace is made from. A 3-line necklace has three rows running together into one clasp.
Nizami Jewellery
The court style of the Nizams of Hyderabad: pearls in abundance, emeralds, and Persian-influenced form.
Rani Haar
A long, elaborate necklace worn below a choker, reaching the chest or stomach. The centrepiece of a bridal set.
Matching
How consistently the pearls within one piece agree on size, colour, lustre and shape. A grading factor in its own right.