Thaali
The South Indian marriage pendant, tied on a turmeric-dyed thread or a gold chain at the wedding.
The thaali is the southern counterpart of the mangalsutra, and the pendant's form identifies the community: a Vishnu or Shiva emblem, a lingam, or the cross-shaped minnu worn by Syrian Christians in Kerala.
It is traditionally tied on a thread dyed yellow with turmeric, the manja kayiru, and moved onto a gold chain later.
Some traditions add koodam or side beads flanking the central pendant, and the count carries meaning.
When you are buying
This is worn every day for decades, so the chain and the bail matter more than the pendant's detail. Have it checked and restrung on a schedule.
Mangalsutra and thaali pieces
A few from the collection, from ₹1,800.
Dainty 18Inch Black Beads Necklace With White Pearl & SP Emerald Beads
Simple 18Inch Black Beads Necklace With White Pearl & SP Ruby Beads
Delicate 17Inch Black Beads Necklace With 9mm Round White Pearl
Simple White Oval Pearl Neckalce set in Mangalsutra Pendant
Pretty and Simple Pearl Set in Mangalsutra Pendant
Mangalsutra
The necklace a married Hindu woman wears, traditionally black beads on gold with a distinctive pendant.
Bail
The loop connecting a pendant to its chain. Its inner width caps what chain the pendant will fit.
Chain
Linked metal forming a flexible necklace or bracelet, sold by length, gauge and link pattern.
Restringing
Replacing the thread a strand is built on. Routine maintenance, not repair, and overdue on most pearl necklaces.
Temple Jewellery
South Indian jewellery in a deity and motif vocabulary, originally made to adorn temple idols and now worn by dancers and brides.