Five Drop Mangalsutra Chain

Five Drop Mangalsutra Chain

Five paisley drops set with white stones hang in a graduated row at the centre of a black-bead chain, the longest at the middle. The paisley — the mango motif that runs through South Indian jewellery from mango malas to kasu harams — is what places this design firmly in tradition, even at a weight light enough for a working day.

What makes this piece work

• The mango motif, at everyday scale. The same paisley that appears on a heavy bridal mala, reduced to five small drops. Familiar and traditional without the weight.
• Graduated drops that move. The five pieces are hinged, so they swing slightly and catch light as you walk — the reason this photographs and reads as dressier than a flat pendant.
• Works for festivals as well as weekdays. Most daily mangalsutras look plain beside a silk saree. This one does not, which means one piece covers both.
• 18 inches. Collarbone length — the drops fall just below, where a saree blouse or a kurti neckline frames them.

What to wear this with

The five-drop centre sits best above an open or round neckline where it has room to fall. Pair it with Kanjivaram and other silk sarees for festivals and pooja, and with cotton sarees, kurtis and salwar suits the rest of the time.

It needs no matching earrings — the movement at the centre is the ornament. If you want to dress it up, small gold-tone studs or jhumkas will do more than anything larger.

Product details

• Short mangalsutra with five graduated drops
• Colour: black beads with gold-tone chain and white stones
• Length: 18 inches
• Design: black-bead chain with gold spacers and five hinged paisley drops set with white stones, graduating to the longest at centre

Please note

This is premium imitation (fashion) jewellery. The white stones are decorative stones, not diamonds, and the gold tone is a finish rather than gold. This is a standard finish — not an anti-tarnish or specially coated piece.

Caring for it

• Put jewellery on last — after makeup, perfume and hairspray have fully dried — and take it off before bathing, exercise, swimming or sleeping.
• Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after each wear, and use a soft dry brush around the stone settings on the drops.
• Keep away from perfume, deodorant, creams, water, hot water, detergent, household chemicals and prolonged sweat. Do not wash or soak it.
• Store flat in an airtight box so the drops do not tangle with other pieces or with each other.
• Hinged drops are the part that takes strain — lift the piece by the chain rather than the pendant when putting it on.

Frequently asked questions

What is the mango or paisley motif in South Indian jewellery?
The mango — a teardrop or paisley shape, called mangai in Tamil and seen in mango malas, kasu harams and temple jewellery — is one of the oldest motifs in South Indian design. It signifies abundance and fertility, which is why it recurs on bridal and married-women's jewellery in particular.

Can I wear this mangalsutra every day?
Yes. It is light and sits at 18 inches, so it stays comfortable through a full day. The one thing to note is that the five drops hang forward rather than lying flat, so under a close-fitting collar a flat-pendant design will be more comfortable.

Is this suitable for festivals and pooja?
Yes — this is the design in the range that carries a silk saree best, because the paisley motif and the movement of the drops read as traditional rather than minimal.

What length mangalsutra is this, and where will it sit?
18 inches, which is short mangalsutra length. The chain sits at the collarbone and the drops fall just below it, above the neckline of most blouses and kurtis.

Is this jewellery anti-tarnish?
No. This is a standard gold-tone finish, not an anti-tarnish or specially coated piece. Wiping it dry after each wear and keeping it away from perfume and sweat is what extends the finish.

Are the white stones diamonds?
No. They are decorative white stones set to catch light. They are not diamonds and are not sold as such.

Do you offer Cash on Delivery, and how long does delivery take?
Yes, COD is available. Prepaid orders ship free; COD orders carry a Rs. 100 shipping and handling charge. We dispatch generally within 2 working days, and delivery takes about 4–5 working days to metro cities and 7–8 working days to other serviceable locations from dispatch. We ship within India only.

Shipping, COD and returns

• Delivered across all serviceable Indian PIN codes. We ship within India only.
• Dispatch generally within 2 working days (next working day if you order on a non-working day).
• Delivery estimate from dispatch: 4–5 working days to metro cities, 7–8 working days to other serviceable locations.
• Free shipping on prepaid orders. COD orders carry a Rs. 100 shipping and handling charge.
• Returns are accepted for products damaged in transit. Email clear photographs within 48 hours of delivery and we will arrange a replacement with the same or a similar product, subject to stock availability.