When it comes to jewelry, India is known for more than just its intricate craftsmanship and glittering designs. It’s also home to some of the most expensive, jaw-dropping pieces of jewelry in the world. We're talking about royal families, Bollywood stars, and mega-billionaires who wear necklaces and chokers that cost more than a small island. In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the most expensive jewelry in India, particularly the iconic ruby choker and diamond necklace - the pieces that will make you wish your bank account had an extra zero (or ten).
Let’s explore the sparkle and history behind these jaw-dropping pieces, and we promise there will be fewer zeros than on their price tags.
Also Read: Diwali Jewelry: Sparkle Like a Firecracker with Silver & Sterling Silver
1. The Most Expensive Jewelry in India: Royal Extravagance
India has long been synonymous with lavishness and luxury, thanks to the incredible wealth of the maharajas. If you’ve ever wondered where your average royal stores their wealth, let’s just say, it's not in a savings account but hanging around their neck, adorning their wrists, or gleaming from their crown.
One of the most expensive pieces of jewelry in India is a staggering necklace owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad, who famously boasted the title of one of the wealthiest people in history. The necklace, worth millions, featured rows of diamonds that looked like they could light up an entire palace. It’s hard to imagine just walking around with that much bling unless you’re trying to impress the folks at your local grocery store.
Speaking of grocery stores, most of us don’t pop over to the supermarket wearing a ruby choker worth more than a lifetime of groceries. But hey, the royals live by different rules.
2. Ruby Chokers: The Blood-Red Crown Jewels
Let's face it: chokers are back in style. But we're not talking about the velvet black chokers we wore in middle school, desperately trying to route our inner punk rock star. No, we're talking about ruby chokers - and these are on a whole different level.
Rubies, the precious gemstones known for their blood-red color, have been a favorite among Indian royalty for centuries. They're considered a symbol of power, passion, and prosperity. The richer the color, the more expensive the ruby, and when they're studded into a choker? Forget about it. That’s next-level luxury.
For example, one of the most iconic ruby chokers belongs to the Maharani of Baroda, who possessed a collection of jewels that could rival a treasure chest in "Pirates of the Caribbean" (no Johnny Depp cameo necessary, sorry). This particular ruby choker, encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and intricate gold detailing, was estimated to be worth several crores. The Maharani used to wear it at royal banquets, making the rest of us feel like we’re just playing dress-up.
Now, if you're thinking of getting a ruby choker, make sure you've got some extra cash in your back pocket. It’s one thing to splurge on an impulse buy, but dropping a few million on a choker might leave a bit of a dent in your monthly budget. Just a bit.
3. Diamond Necklaces: Because, Why Not?
If rubies are a symbol of passion, diamonds are the crown jewels of elegance and wealth. These sparkling stones have been a status symbol for centuries, with some pieces being passed down through generations like priceless heirlooms - or you know, just casually worn on a Tuesday afternoon, because why not?
One of the most expensive diamond necklaces in India belonged to the Maharaja of Patiala. In 1928, he commissioned Cartier to create the Patiala Necklace, which was encrusted with 2,930 diamonds (yep, you read that right). Among these diamonds was the legendary De Beers diamond, the seventh-largest diamond in the world. The necklace was so heavy, it could probably double as a weightlifting accessory at the gym.
Though the necklace disappeared for decades (because, of course, when you're that rich, even jewelry likes to go on vacation), parts of it resurfaced in London in 1998. However, several of the original diamonds were missing, probably on an adventure like the "Indiana Jones" movies — but with diamonds instead of ancient artifacts.
These diamond necklaces are not just jewelry; they’re a historical spectacle, and let’s be honest, they probably have better security than most high-security vaults. So, if you happen to own a piece like that, make sure you know where you last left it. Not that any of us have to worry about losing multi-million dollar necklaces, but it’s a nice problem to imagine, right?
4. Bollywood and Beyond: Modern Takes on Expensive Jewelry
Now, it’s not just the royals who are decked out in millions of rupees worth of jewelry. Bollywood celebrities have entered the chat. Stars like Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra are often seen wearing breathtaking ruby chokers and diamond necklaces at events, giving us all major jewelry envy.
One iconic piece that shook the internet was the necklace Aishwarya Rai wore to the Cannes Film Festival. With diamonds larger than most people's hopes and dreams, it’s safe to say her jewelry game was on point. These modern-day queens may not have royal titles, but when it comes to jewelry, they’re pretty much ruling the red carpets.
If you’ve ever watched an old-school Bollywood movie, you’ll know that extravagant jewelry plays a starring role in pretty much every wedding scene. The bride is usually drowning in layers of necklaces, rings, and bangles — all while trying to maintain that elegant bridal pose, which is a feat in itself. But it’s not just movies; Indian weddings IRL (that’s "in real life" for anyone not up on internet lingo) can be extravagant jewelry fests, with brides wearing enough gold and diamonds to fund a small country.
Also Read: Dhanteras Gift Ideas: Shimmering Silver and Jewelry that’ll Make You the Festive MVP
5. Can You Own a Piece of the Pie (or Diamond)?
If you're feeling inspired to buy yourself some expensive Indian jewelry, first off, good luck. We’ll leave you to battle the thought of draining your bank account. But in all seriousness, these pieces are more than just expensive; they're historical, cultural artifacts that tell the story of India's rich heritage.
For most of us, owning a ruby choker or a diamond necklace worth millions might sound like a far-off dream. But hey, a girl (or guy) can dream, right? There’s always the option of getting a more affordable replica, or maybe just a small pair of diamond studs. Baby steps, folks. Baby steps.
And who knows? With the right savings plan, maybe one day you’ll be strolling through the streets of Mumbai or Delhi with a choker or necklace that makes everyone stop and stare - or at least gets you a couple of Instagram likes.
Conclusion: A Sparkling History That Shines On
India’s most expensive jewelry pieces are not just accessories; they're a reflection of history, royalty, and a love for all things luxurious. From ruby chokers to diamond necklaces, the world of Indian jewelry is glittering, extravagant, and larger than life. Whether you’re a modern-day maharani, a Bollywood queen, or just someone who loves a good sparkle, there’s no denying the allure of these iconic pieces.
So, the next time you’re shopping for jewelry and feeling fancy, just remember - somewhere out there, someone is wearing a necklace that costs more than your dream home. But don’t worry, diamonds might be forever, but so is your Netflix subscription. Priorities, right?
