surf india

Varieties of Payals

A significant part of woman's jewelry in India and even countries across the world, payal or anklets come in huge variety and patterns.

Flexible and Inflexible Anklets

Anklets are broadly categorized into two types - flexible and inflexible. The flexible ones, often called 'pajeb' or 'jhanjhar' in India, are made by tying links in a chain. Usually reserved for wearing as part of a bridal trousseau, it covered the entire foot and was attached by hooks to toe rings. Subsequently, sonorous bells can be attached to the chain, in order to make pleasing sounds while walking. Inflexible payal require less skills to make are created by giving shape to a flat sheet. Flexible anklets are more popular in India.

Materials Used in Anklets

Ideally, an anklet needs to be at least two or three inches larger than the ankle size, so that the beads, bells and other embellishments fall right under the ankle bone. But then, there are exceptions, depending upon the outfit or footwear it must match with and the comfort level of the wearer.

Payal with Ethnic and Modern Looks

Women go in for anklets with ethnic or modern look depending on their taste, the outfit they want to wear it with or the look they want to project. Ethnic payal may be heavy oxidized type with bells. For a modern and casual look one can opt for beaded anklets, gold anklets, diamond anklets or anklets made with gemstones.