Discover Hidden Treasures From India’s Regal Past
Mumbai — a melting pot of luxury, culture, and history — holds some of the most remarkable yet lesser-known royal jewellery pieces deeply rooted in the aesthetic traditions of India’s royal courts. While diamonds and polki might steal the limelight, the city is home to rare, museum-worthy heirlooms hidden inside antique boutiques, heritage jewellers, and private collections.
Below is a curated list of underrated royal jewellery pieces that carry the charm of India’s forgotten dynasties.
💠 1. The Forgotten Navaratna Tasbih: A Celestial Prayer Jewel
A fusion of royalty, astrology, and religious symbolismOriginally designed for Mughal monarchs, a navaratna tasbih is an opulent and spiritual item. Nine gemstones, each symbolizing a celestial energy, are combined to create these prayer beads.
🌟 Why It’s Rare Today
Only a handful of stores in Mumbai recreate this piece using hand-carved gemstones and gold-thread linkages.
💎 2. The Guttapusalu Necklace: South Indian Royalty’s Hidden Wonder
Once worn by Nizams and aristocrats, now a collector’s dream
Originally from Andhra royalty, the Guttapusalu is making a comeback — but quietly. Characterized by pearl bunches (pusalu) and intricate gold filigree, it remains one of the most artistic pieces of Indian royal jewellery.
🌟 Why It’s Special
Mumbai artisans customize it with uncut diamonds, emerald clusters, and antique gold polish, preserving its regal identity.
🕊️ 3. The Rajasthani Aadh: A Royal Choker with Untold History
The queen’s armour of beauty
The Aadh is a wide Rajasthani choker historically crafted for queens of the Mewar and Marwar kingdoms. It’s bold, architectural, and timeless — but surprisingly underrated in mainstream fashion.
🌟 Mumbai’s Hidden Touch
Boutique jewellers craft the Aadh using vintage meenakari, kundan jadau stones, and traditional red silk dori ties.
🦚 4. The Pachchikam Jewellery: Kutch Royalty’s Art Style Reborn
An imperfect, raw, and poetic form of royal elegance
Pachchikam hails from Kutch royalty and is known for its raw silver frames, rough-cut gemstones, and unpolished charm — making it more artistic than commercial.
🌟 Why It’s a Hidden Gem in Mumbai
Only a few niche designers recreate authentic pachchikam using old-school silver moulds and translucent stones.
🐘 5. The Mysore Kempu Haaram: A Ruby Legacy Overlooked
Inspired by the royal Wodeyar dynasty
The Kempu Haaram uses deep red rubies (kempu stones) set in gold using traditional South Indian techniques. Known for bold motifs like peacocks, gods, and temple carvings, it’s a regal piece often overshadowed by modern polki.
🌟 Mumbai’s Modern Interpretation
Look for jewelers who recreate these using authentic Burmese rubies, hand-carved gold work, and heritage temple designs.
🕉️ 6. The Maratha Vajratik Tode: Powerful Gold Bangles
Royal armour in the form of jewellery
The Vajratik Tode are heavy gold bangles worn by Maratha queens and warriors’ wives. They symbolize protection, strength, and status.
🌟 Why It’s Rare
Only a few artisans in Mumbai still mould these bangles using solid gold beating and hand-engraved detailing.
🐅 7. The Mughal Arsi Ring: The Queen’s Mirror Ring
A ring with a secret purpose
The Arsi ring features a tiny mirror that queens used to discreetly check their appearance during royal gatherings.
🌟 The Mumbai Revival
From cocktail designs to wedding rings, Mumbai jewellers craft modern arsis using polki, mirrors, and enamel art.
🌸 8. The Peshwa Ambada: A Maharashtrian Hair Jewel
A crown jewel for royal hairstyles
An ambada is a traditional Maharashtrian hair bun pin adorned with pearls, rubies, and lotus motifs — worn by women of the Peshwa royal court.
🌟 Why It’s Special
Mumbai’s heritage jewellers still create authentic ambadas using old casting methods and real pearls.