6 Ways to Style Your Natural Diamond Mangalsutra

The onset of the festive season serves as a reminder to seek a breather from the breakneck pace of everyday life and reconnect with those who matter most in our lives. The long-honoured tradition of Karva Chauth witnesses Indian wives fasting from sunrise to moonrise as an expression of love and to pray for the long lives of their husbands. It is popularly believed that soulmates are destined to be together for seven lifetimes, and the occasion of Karva Chauth serves as a chance to consolidate this bond.

The emotional significance of Karva Chauth is further underscored by the long-standing tradition of women dressing up in all their finery to toast the auspicious occasion.

While saris and lehengas are customary, the choice of natural diamond jewellery can only be headlined by the mangalsutra — a traditional string of black beads tied around a bride’s neck by her husband during the wedding ceremony. The moniker is derived from the words ‘mangal’ meaning holy, and ‘sutra’ which translates into ‘thread’. The holy thread today signifies the identity of a married woman and to ensure the long life and well-being of her husband.

As times evolve, the dynamics of our relationship change and mangalsutra designs have received a contemporary update as well. If you’ve been unable to decide how to style yours, you’ll be glad to know that your choices haven’t shrunk down to the binary of this-or-that. Whether layered under a diamond choker or stacked on your wrist alongside a classic tennis bracelet, here’s everything you need to know about mixing, matching and creating a look that represents the one-of-a-kind love you share.

Solitaire Mangalsutras in
Contemporary Bridal Fashion

Solitaire natural diamond mangalsutras are emerging as a clear favourite with contemporary brides for their versatility — style it under a blazer in the boardroom or take it with you for a night out in a sequined dress, the possibilities are endless.

After marrying cricketer KL Rahul in a sun-kissed ceremony, all eyes were on Athiya Shetty’s mangalsutra at her post-wedding bash—the star did not disappoint by maintaining fidelity to her less-is-more aesthetic with a minimalist design featuring an all-eyes-on-me solitaire pendant that is timeless in its simplicity. By layering hers under an emerald choker, the star demonstrates a sartorial fluency that would take others a lifetime to master.

Designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Kiara Advani’s mangalsutra features a solitaire diamond pendant flanked by the quintessential black beads on both sides. The star’s red carpet wardrobe has always been prone to flights of fancy, and the modest design of her mangalsutra makes for a worthy candidate as the finishing touch for frothy ballroom gowns and showstopper lehengas alike.

Given Alia Bhatt’s affinity with the number eight—also known as her husband Ranbir Kapoor’s lucky charm—it comes as little surprise that she subverted conventional designs in favour of an infinity pendant punctuated with a pear-drop natural diamond.

After opting for an all-Sabyasachi wedding wardrobe, the star unsurprisingly turned to the couturier for a one-of-a-kind minimalist mangalsutra featuring black onyx beads and pearls punctuated by two statement-making diamonds. A timeless design like hers affords further heft to the sentimental value of a mangalsutra—elevating it beyond mere symbolism to become a treasured piece of everyday jewellery that can be endlessly dressed up or dressed down.

Embrace Versatility with
Mangalsutra Bracelets

Down the years, this symbol of love has received many styling updates and in its newest iteration, it seeks greater versatility when looped as a bracelet. Shilpa Shetty Kundra clearly approves, and is often spotted draping hers on the wrist as the perfect foil to her engagement ring. If minimalism is your thing, take a raincheck on all other forms of bracelets and bangles and allow Caratlane’s mangalsutra bracelet to serve as the focal point of your look for the festival.

Wear your diamond mangalsutra as a choker

If you’re looking to break free from the usual suspects, refresh your look by playing with lengths and textures. Give this jewellery staple an on-trend update by draping it around the base of your neck as a choker. For those who love to make an entrance, look to an intricately designed neckpiece from Om Jewellers that can be draped around the base of the neck and then layered with real diamond necklaces of varying lengths to create a showstopper look.

Pair your diamond mangalsutra
with statement earrings

Not for the wallflowers, this one. If you’re looking to make a statement, Deepika Padukone’s newlywed wardrobe serves up plenty of inspiration. For her first outing as a married woman, the star chose to pair her diamond solitaire mangalsutra with shoulder-grazing earrings. Make like her, and opt for the one-two punch of a minimalist mangalsutra — we love PNG Jewellers classic iteration — paired with impact-making statement earrings.

Style your diamond mangalsutra
with innovative necklines

Those looking to draw attention to their prized mangalsutra will want to take notes from Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. The star has been wearing hers with clever styling updates, and often uses it as the sole piece punctuating the neckline of a not-so-basic blouse. An exquisitely crafted natural diamond mangalsutra from Gehna Jewellers paired with an off-shoulder sari will ensure all eyes on you.

Layer your diamond mangalsutra
with other necklaces

For those looking to inch their look closer to maximalist territory, there is plenty of inspiration to be found in Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ styling choices. On the day after her star-studded nuptials, the glowing bride was spotted in an uncut diamond mangalsutra that was styled underneath a classic pearl necklace for maximum impact. Make the look your own by teaming Anmol Jewellers’ natural diamond mangalsutra with a shorter string of diamonds for some after-hours glam.

As the moon touches the pinnacle of the sky this Karva Chauth, celebrate your love with innovative diamond mangalsutra pairings that will shine as brightly as your love for one another forevermore.