Everything you need to know about “Goan Traditional Jewellery” and its History

Goa’s unique crafts and traditional jewellery styles tell us that unlike its image as a holiday destination, it is a state of craftsmanship with the oldest crafts history in the country.

One of Goa’s most endearing crafts is the art of crafting Gold to make the most flattering jewellery styles that anyone has ever seen.

Goan traditional jewellery is unique to the world. It offers a wide range of traditional pieces of jewellery for almost every part of the body.

Read all about the history of Goan Traditional jewellery and its famous types below!

History of Traditional Goan Gold Jewellery

Goan jewellery is famous worldwide. Shopping for Goan gold jewellery is actually included in the checklist of many foreigners who visit Goa once or twice a year.

But how did Goan jewellery become so popular?

Goan jewellery was introduced to the world by “Daivadnya Brahmins” who were known for their skills in jewellery designing.

In fact, they were the first ones to introduce Goan traditional jewellery designs to Europe.

The popularity and demand for Goan jewellery have only increased since then.

Importance of Number 7 in Goan Jewellery

“7” is considered an auspicious number in Goa. An ornament having 7 bangles that are bound together by a clip and a ring that is made up of 7 thin rings are given to the bride on the day of her engagement or wedding. Both of these ornaments are fashioned by the local Artisans.

Similarity Between Goan Traditional Jewellery and Maharashtrian Konkan Jewellery

There’s a lot of similarity between Goan jewellery and the konkan jewellery of Maharashtra.

Both regions have a lot of similar designs in the categories of Earrings, Nose as well as neck jewellery.

Styles such as Pake (earrings), Nathini (nose pin), Tode, and Pichodi (bangles) are common in both Goan and Konkani traditional jewellery.

Goan Traditional Jewellery For Arms

From a traditional bajubandh adorned with statement motifs to a simple goth adorned with minimal embellishments, Goan jewellery styles for arms come in a remarkable variety, something that will leave you spoilt for choice.

Read everything about the traditional Goa jewellery for arms below.

All these styles are very important for Goan brides and women as they have a cultural value attached to them.

Bajubandh

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As the name suggests, Bajubandh is an armlet that is worn on the upper arms by women.

A traditional Goan bajubandh is made of Gold. It consists of floral and peacock motifs that are crafted with utmost precision by the local Artisans.

Even though this style is available in a wide range of varieties, the best ones come with an ornate design (inspired by ancient Indian culture and folklores).

You can get anything from a minimal design adorned with fewer embellishments to a detailed design adorned with chunky motifs and gemstones.

Some of the Bajubandh designs even include figures of Goan forest deities such as Kelbai, Bramhini mai, Vetal, Mahishasurmardini.

Goth

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These are the traditional Goan bangles. Made with Gold, a traditional Goth has a sleek design and is adorned with floral motifs that are crafted by the Artisans.

You can buy a traditional Goth at any local Goa jewellery shop. The kind of variety available in these traditional shops will leave you spoilt for choice.

Tode:

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Another classic Goa jewellery style!

These are chunky Gold bangles that are adorned by Goan women on a festive occasion, pooja, or at a wedding.

These bangles come with an adjustable screw. The screw makes it really easy to wear and remove the bangle.

Pichodi:

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Pichodi is also a bangle that is worn by the women in Goa.

A traditional Pichodi design consists of Pearls or Gold motifs arranged in the form of a crown.

The more expensive designs can have gemstones instead of Gold motifs and pearls.

The best thing about these bangles is that they are easily available and you can shop for them online as well as at any local Goan Hindu bridal jewellery shop.

Piddukachi Kakna:

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These are the beaded gold bangles. The traditional design includes Gold motifs with a combination of different colored beads such as orange, black, red, etc.

Even though the beads studded in these bangles come in a plethora of colors, the most famous designs are adorned with black beads.

Piddukachi bangles are very lightweight; therefore can be worn for hours without getting uncomfortable.

You can shop for such designs at any local Goa jewellery shop.

Coin Bangles

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These are the Gold kadas adorned with patterned motifs, colored or Gold bead motifs, and coins.

The coins have the symbols of religious figures of Goan forest deities such as Kelbai, Bramhini mai, Vetal, Mahishasurmardini.

These bangles are also lightweight; therefore, they are worn by women on a daily basis.

You can shop for Goan traditional bridal jewellery online as well as at any local Goan Hindu bridal jewellery shop.

Goan Traditional Jewellery For Neck

Goan traditional jewellery has a wide range of styles for the neck. All these Goan necklace designs form an important part of any woman’s jewellery collection.

Read everything about Goan bridal jewellery styles for the neck below.

Goan Mangalsutra (Also known as Kasithaali)

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A mangalsutra forms an important part of any Goan bride’s wedding jewellery trousseau. Mangalsutra worn by Goan brides is called “Kasithaali”.

A traditional Kasithaali consists of a gold chain studded with coral and/or gold beads and a pendant.

The pendant is adorned with a religious figure such as Goddess Lakshmi.

You can buy a traditional Goan mangalsutra from any local Gold jewellery shop in Goa.

Coral Mala Necklace:

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This is a regular necklace-type that consists of a chain made of coral beads and/or pearls and a Gold pendant.

The pendant can have different designs such as floral motifs, the figure of Goddess Laxmi or Lord Ganesha, etc.

A coral necklace is easily available and you can shop for it online as well as at any local Goan Hindu bridal jewellery shop.

Galsiri:

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This is a coin necklace. A traditional Galsiri consists of coral and gold beads strung in a gold chain (with a thread fastening) and Gold coins.

Adorned with traditional religious symbols and figures of Goan forest deities such as Kelbai, Bramhini mai, Vetal, Mahishasurmardini, a galsiri necklace makes an important part of Goan Hindu bridal jewellery.

A Galsiri can have a single or double layer of coins set in the Gold chain but if you can’t afford a Gold Galsiri, you can go for an inexpensive one made with regular alloy metal or brass metal.

Chain:

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Worn by the women on a daily basis, this is just a regular Gold chain. You can buy it at any jewellery shop.

A necklace for the bride:

While silver is never a favored metal when it comes to Goan bridal jewellery, a set made in gunmetal and studded with gemstones or even diamonds is considered mandatory for a Goan bride.

She has to wear this necklace on her engagement or wedding day.

Goan Traditional Jewellery For Ears

Goan traditional jewellery is known for its earrings’ variety. From studs adorned with Diamonds/precious gemstones to different types of earcuffs, the kind of variety available in Goan jewellery will leave you spoilt for choice.

Read everything about different styles of earrings that are popular in Goan culture.

Pake:

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Adorned with Konkani designs and patterns, these are traditional earcuffs. Women usually wear Pake on festive occasions, poojas, family gatherings, or at a wedding.

A pair of traditional Pake is made of Gold and it consists of floral motifs along with pearls strung together to form a mesh-like pattern.

The more expensive designs include Diamonds or precious gemstones. If you want to shop for Pake earrings then you can check out any local shop in Goa that sells Goan Hindu bridal jewellery.

Vel:

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These are long earrings that have a sleek design. Made of Gold, Vel earrings can be worn on a daily basis (as they are very lightweight).

You can shop for them online or at a local Goan traditional jewellery shop.

Kaan:

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These are other types of earcuffs that are worn at a traditional Konkani wedding by women.

Made of Gold, Kaan earrings are adorned by Gold motifs such as leaves (like the motifs shown in this picture of Kaan earrings).

If you want to add a few pieces of Goan traditional jewellery to your collection then Kaan earrings are the best option.

They will add a Goan touch to your look without overwhelming it.

Ved:

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These are regular stud earrings, made with Gold, and adorned with Diamond/precious gemstones.

Goan Traditional Jewellery For Nose:

There are not many styles in this segment of Goa jewellery. In fact, for the nose, there’s only one type of jewellery available (which is the case in almost every other culture).

Read about it below!

Traditional Nathini:

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Nathini (a nose ornament) is adorned by Goan women at weddings, religious ceremonies, and family functions.

It is different from other nose pins worn in different Indian regions.

A traditional Gold Nathini consists of pearls and pink or white stone in the middle (sometimes a precious gemstone such as Rubie or Emerald in the middle).

If you want to shop for a traditional Goan nathini then you can check out any local shop in Goa that sells Goan bridal jewellery.

Goan Traditional Jewellery For Legs

Payal

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This is the regular anklet worn by the women in Goa. Made of gold or silver, a traditional Goan anklet has a simple design.

Vedi

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These are the traditional toe rings worn by the women in Goa on a daily basis. A pair of traditional Vedi is either made of gold or silver.

Which of these jewellery styles did you like the most? Tell us in the comments below!