Navratri and Garba Oxidised Jewellery
Oxidised jewellery belongs to garba. The darkened metal, coin fringes and tiny ghungroo look right at home against mirror-work chaniya cholis, bandhani dupattas and kediyu jackets, and they catch the light without looking like evening wear. They also do something gold-tone and kundan can't: they look better a little rugged.
This guide covers what to wear, how to keep it on your body through hours of spinning, and how to make one set work for nine nights.
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The classic garba look, piece by piece
Jhumkas or chandbalis. Go big here. Navratri is the one time of year when oversized oxidised jhumkas with ghungroo don't feel like too much. Pair with an ear chain (sahara) to take the weight off your lobes for a long night.
Coin or hasli necklace. A layered coin necklace or a solid hasli-style collar suits the high and round necklines of most cholis. If your choli has a deep back, skip the necklace and put the effort into earrings and hair.
Haathphool or bracelets. A haathphool (hand harness) photographs beautifully during clap steps. Bangles work too, but too many can slide and clatter. A few chunky oxidised kadas stay put better than a stack of thin ones.
Kamarbandh (waist belt). Cinches the dupatta or chaniya and adds swing. Choose a lighter chain style rather than a solid plate so it moves with you.
Anklets and toe rings. Garba is footwork. Oxidised payals with small ghungroo add rhythm. Wear them over leggings or under the chaniya hem.
Maang tikka or matha patti. Optional, but lovely with a centre parting or a braid. Pin it securely.
Nose ring. A small oxidised nath or press-on nose pin finishes the traditional look without needing a piercing.
Matching to your chaniya choli
| Outfit | Jewellery direction |
|---|---|
| Heavy mirror work | Medium-sized oxidised pieces with matte texture; let the mirrors sparkle |
| Plain or lightly embroidered | Go maximal: big jhumkas, coin necklace, haathphool |
| Bandhani or leheriya | Coin jewellery and tribal motifs complement the tie-dye |
| Kediyu and dhoti (Indo-western) | Statement earrings and a kada; skip the necklace |
| Pastel or white | Fine oxidised pieces with coloured thread or beads for contrast |
Nine colours, one jewellery set
Many people follow the nine colours of Navratri. Oxidised jewellery is neutral, so the same set works with every colour. To vary it across the nine nights:
- add thread tassels or coloured-bead pieces in the day's colour;
- alternate between a coin necklace night and an earrings-only night;
- swap jhumkas for chandbalis halfway through the festival.
Three or four core pieces plus a couple of colour accents cover all nine nights.
Keeping it on while you dance
- Earrings: use screw-backs or add silicone stoppers to hooks. Ear chains help with heavy pieces.
- Necklaces: tie dori-thread necklaces with a double knot and tuck the ends under your hair.
- Kamarbandh: fasten it over the dupatta knot so the hook isn't on bare skin.
- Maang tikka: use two bobby pins crossed in an X behind the hook.
- Anklets: check clasps before you start; payals are the piece people most often lose on the ground.
After the dancing: care
Nine nights of sweat is hard on any plated jewellery. Each night:
- wipe every piece with a dry cotton cloth;
- let it air-dry for ten minutes;
- store each piece in its own zip pouch, with a silica-gel sachet if you have one.
Don't wash oxidised jewellery or polish it with silver cleaner, because both remove the darkened finish. Full advice in our Care Guide.
Ordering before Navratri
Pieces ship from our partner in Jaipur. Dispatch takes 2 business days, and delivery times are listed in our Shipping Policy. Festival weeks are busy for couriers, so order at least 7 days before the first night. Stock per design is limited; if an item sells out after you've paid, we refund it automatically.
All pieces are imitation jewellery made of brass or other alloys with an oxidised finish. They're not silver.
See the Navratri edit → · Gifts under ₹499
Frequently asked questions
Why is oxidised jewellery popular for Navratri? Its antique, tribal look complements mirror work, bandhani and the folk styling of chaniya cholis, and it's affordable enough to wear hard for nine nights.
What jewellery should I wear for garba? Big jhumkas or chandbalis, a coin necklace or hasli, a haathphool or kadas, a kamarbandh and anklets. Pick three or four rather than all of them if you want to stay light.
How do I stop my jhumkas from falling off while dancing? Use screw-backs or silicone stoppers, and add an ear chain for heavy pairs.
Can I wear the same jewellery for all nine nights? Yes. Oxidised jewellery is neutral and suits every Navratri colour; vary it with coloured tassels or by alternating pieces.
Will sweat damage oxidised jewellery? Sweat speeds up discolouration. Wipe pieces dry after each night and store them airtight to keep the finish longer.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-31