Imagine this: You're getting ready for a significant event, and you want your attire to have an impact. Despite trying on several gowns, something is still wrong. Then you recall the satlada necklace you purchased last month and reach into your jewelry box in order to adorn yourself with it. You instantly feel different after putting it on. The elaborate pattern and glittering stones grab and reflect light in all directions.
The satlada necklace is a genuine work of art. It is no surprise that royalty and fashion icons have favored it for generations. This necklace is a statement piece that makes one stand out and is worthy of having a place of pride in your jewelry collection due to its classic beauty and lavish style.
A Pearl Necklace Worthy of Royalty
A magnificent necklace said to have originated during the Mughal era, the satlada necklace is considered to be a symbol of royalty and prosperity. The name of this necklace is derived from two Hindi words—sat, standing for saat, the Hindi numeral meaning seven, and lada (or ladi) meaning strand. Therefore the name of this bridal necklace translates to the seven-strand necklace.
The necklace was originally made of pearls of a fixed number,465 to be precise. The necklace today also features pendants and different gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, with each strand of the necklace increasing in length consecutively.
This pearl necklace was frequently used to gauge the social and financial standing of the family. Originally created for the aristocratic Mughal and Nawabi families of the Deccan, the satlada necklace was the royal wedding jewelry of medieval times and was typically gifted to the bride by the mother-in-law at the wedding ceremony.
This seven stranded necklace, or satlari, was made in the city of Hyderabad in the Deccan region of India. Each strand holds a central pendant composed of a pearl drop surrounded by red, green, and colorless stones and enamel. In the early nineteenth century, this type of necklace was adapted by the French jewelry company Cartier, which began producing satlaris for wealthy Indian patrons.
Source: The Met Museum
Some Famous Satlada Necklaces From Indian History
Owing to its timeless elegance and regal design, the satlada necklace was a huge hit among Indian royalty, becoming a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Not just queens and princesses, but kings and princes too favored this piece of jewelry for its opulence, so much so that two of the famous satlada necklaces in Indian history were owned and worn by kings.
One of these necklaces is the Satlada pearl necklace of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The other famous Satlada necklace is the Baroda pearl necklace. The necklace was put in order to be made by Maharajah Khande Rao Gaekwad while he ruled the Kingdom of Baroda, and was then worn through generations by the subsequent Maharajas of Baroda.
The satlada pearl necklace of the Nizam of Hyderabad
Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
6 Reasons Why Every Jewelry Collection Needs a Satlada Necklace
The satlada necklace is elegant and luxurious and is a symbol of luck and prosperity. These factors should ideally be enough to persuade one to add it to their jewelry collection. But if you still some more convincing as to why you absolutely need to have this regal pearl necklace, here are some reasons:
A Universal Favorite
The Satlada necklace was a popular choice for a bridal necklace back in the day and continues to be so. It is also the go-to choice for fashion icons even today with famous Bollywood brides, such as Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone also going for the satlada necklace as part of their bridal trousseau.
The Ideal Choice for Layering
Another reason to have a satlada necklace and its variants—panchlada necklace and teenlada necklace—in your jewelry collection is that it layers well with almost every other type of bridal necklace. Pairing it with a choker necklace instantly amps up its elegance and adds a regal touch to your overall wedding look. If “go big or go home” is your kind of game, you would want to pair it with an opulent bib necklace—you’ll thank us later.
Versatility Is Its Middle Name
The satlada necklace goes with almost everything; when we say everything, we mean everything! The satlada necklace goes well with both western-style dresses and gowns as well as traditional Indian attire like saris and salwar kameez. You can also alter the satlada necklace to fit your personal preferences by using different kinds of gemstones, precious metals, and pearls of different sizes.
For Him and for Her
When it comes to versatility, the satlada necklace goes beyond just the different kinds of clothes you can pair it with. It may be considered a bridal necklace but the truth of the matter is that even men can sport a satlada necklace with sherwanis and kurtas (maybe even shirts? Who knows!) Attesting to its unisex nature are examples from erstwhile Indian royalty, such as the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharaja of Baroda, who had famous seven-strand pearl necklaces that they used to wear to enhance the elegance and sophistication of their attires.
From Crew to V—Goes With All, You’d Agree!
Did we mention that the satlada necklace is not only an ideal layering bridal necklace but also ideal for most of the popular necklines out there? Be it a crew neckline, a boat necklace, or a deep scoop or V neckline—you name it and chances are your satlada necklace will go nicely with it, making it incredibly flexible for different outfits and events in addition to your choice of bridal attire. Therefore getting a satlada necklace would not only make you look good but also wise in the long term.
A Worthy Family Heirloom
The elegance and magnificent design of the satlada necklace make it a time-honored piece of bridal jewelry worthy of being passed down through generations as an inheritance. Because it is considered a special piece of Indian jewelry and is considered to be a symbol of luck and prosperity, it is something that you would want to pass on to your daughter or granddaughter.
Image courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum
For anybody who appreciates luxury and elegance, a satlada necklace is a must-have in their jewelry collection. It is a piece of art, a representation of class and prestige, as well as a symbol of luck and prosperity. Give yourself the gift of a satlada necklace to experience its timeless magic and beauty. Your jewelry collection (and probably progeny too) is going to thank you!
Featured image courtesy: Fine Dictionary
