Indian Jewellery Glossary: Passa, Kalgi, Nath, Hathphool, Kalire & More

Indian and South Asian jewellery has many names, and the same piece is often spelt several ways — kalire, kaleere and kalira; hathphool, hathpan and haath phool; tika and maang tikka. This A–Z explains each piece in plain English, lists the spellings people search for, and says honestly whether Sirini Jewellery makes it. Sirini is a Mumbai brand founded in 2017; everything we make is gold-plated fashion and imitation jewellery in Kundan, Meenakari and Polki-style work — not solid gold or real diamonds.

A–Z of Indian jewellery terms

Asian jewellery / Indian jewelry / Pakistani jewelry
Broad search terms for South Asian wedding and festive jewellery, in UK and US spellings (jewellery / jewelry). Bridal looks across India and Pakistan share many pieces — tika, jhoomar, passa, nath, jhumka and bangles. Browse bridal jewellery or the full catalogue.
Bichu / bichhiya (toe ring)
Toe rings worn by married women. Sirini does not currently list toe rings; we do make anklets and payal.
Bridal set
A matched group of necklace, earrings and maang tikka, sometimes with passa, nath and kalire. See our bridal set jewellery.
Bugdi / bugadi
A Maharashtrian ear ornament of pearls worn along the upper ear. Not a design Sirini currently lists.
Chinchpeti
A traditional Maharashtrian choker of closely set, overlapping pieces that hugs the neck. Not currently in our range; our choker sets are the nearest style.
Choker set
A short necklace that sits at the base of the throat, with matching earrings. See choker set jewellery.
Cuff earrings
Earrings that clip or wrap along the edge of the ear. Sirini does not currently sell ear cuffs; see our earrings, jhumkas and danglers.
Earrings / earings
The most-searched piece — "earings" is a very common misspelling. Browse earrings.
Gadi thushi / gadi set
Gadi thushi: a Maharashtrian (Kolhapuri) choker set, a thushi worked on nine threads ("gadi") for a snug collar fit and usually sold with matching earrings. Pendant styles have names such as V-peti, Belpan Moti and Chand. Sirini does not make gadi thushi; our choker sets and pearl and moti sets are the nearest styles. Read the gadi thushi guide.
Hathphool / hathpan / haath phool
A hand ornament with a central motif on the back of the hand, chained to finger rings and a wrist band — worn by brides. See hathphool jewellery.
Indo-western set
Traditional craft in lighter shapes that work with gowns, co-ords and sarees. See indo-western set jewellery.
Kalgi
The plume-style brooch pinned to a groom's turban (safa). See kalgi jewellery.
Kalire / kaleere / kalira
Dome-shaped danglers tied to the bride's chooda (bangles) at the wedding. See kalire jewellery.
Kandora / kamarband / waist belt
An ornamental belt worn at the waist over a saree or lehenga. See waist belt jewellery.
Kolhapuri saaz / kolapuri saaj
A traditional Maharashtrian necklace associated with Kolhapur, built from ornate hanging motifs. Not currently in Sirini's range.
Kundan
A setting technique where stones are set in a pure-gold-foil bed. Sirini uses the Kundan style with glass and coloured stones over gold-plated brass or copper. See Kundan jewellery.
Lakshmi coin set / Laxmi haar
A long necklace of coins embossed with the goddess Lakshmi, common in South Indian and Maharashtrian temple jewellery. Not currently a Sirini design; see our temple jewellery.
Long set / rani haar
A long necklace that falls to the chest, worn as the statement layer of a bridal look. See long set and rani haar jewellery.
Mala
A long strand of beads or pearls; the groom's mala is worn over the sherwani. See mala jewellery.
Mangalsutra
The black-bead necklace worn by married women. See mangalsutra jewellery.
Maharashtrian jewellery
The traditional ornaments of Maharashtra — mangalsutra, nath, thushi, chinchpeti, bugdi, kolhapuri saaz and more. Our nearest pieces are nath, mangalsutra and pearl and moti sets.
Meenakari
Hand-painted enamel, usually on the back of a piece. See Meenakari jewellery.
Moissanite
A lab-created gemstone, close to diamond in look, used in fine jewellery. Sirini does not sell moissanite — our jewellery is Kundan-style and gold-plated.
Moti set / pearl set
A necklace and earrings built around pearls (moti). See pearl and moti set jewellery.
Nath / nathiya / nose ring
The bridal nose ring, often with a chain to the hair. See nath jewellery.
Necklace set
A necklace with matching earrings. See necklace set jewellery.
Passa / pasa
A bridal side headpiece, worn to one side of the head. See passa jewellery.
Polki
Traditionally uncut diamonds; Sirini's Polki-style pieces use uncut-look stones, not real diamonds. See Polki jewellery.
Sheeshphool / sheesh patti
A hairline ornament worn ear to ear above the tikka. See sheeshphool jewellery.
Temple jewellery
South Indian style with deity and temple motifs. See temple jewellery.
Thushi
A traditional Maharashtrian choker of small beads strung close together. Not currently in Sirini's range.
Tika / tikka / maang tikka
The forehead ornament hung from the hair parting. See maang tikka jewellery.
Traditional set
A full set of matched pieces in classic designs. See traditional set jewellery.

Can't find a piece? Ask on WhatsApp at +91 98331 14467, or visit the Sirini showroom in Santacruz West, Mumbai (Mon–Sat, 10 AM–8 PM). Buying in bulk? See wholesale.