Save Of all the earrings India has given the world, none is as instantly recognisable as the jhumka. That little golden bell, swaying and catching the light every time you laugh or turn your head, has been part of Indian dressing for centuries, and it is more loved today than ever. In this guide, the design team at Keyura Jewellery in Dehradun walks you through 25 jhumka designs every woman should know, from the classic temple jhumka to lightweight daily-wear jhumkis, and shows you how to choose, wear and care for the pair that is right for you.
What is a jhumka? Meaning, history and why India loves it
A jhumka has two parts: a stud or top that sits on the earlobe, and a bell-shaped dome that hangs below it, usually finished with a fringe of pearls, beads or tiny bells. In English it is often called a bell earring or chandelier jhumka, but no translation quite captures its charm.
Bell-shaped ear ornaments appear in Indian temple sculpture going back many centuries, particularly in South India, where the temple jhumka (often called jimiki) remains a bridal essential. Over time, regional workshops added their own signatures: Mughal-inspired kundan and meenakari from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, filigree from Odisha and Bengal, and blackened silver styles from tribal and folk traditions.
The jhumka even has a place in Bollywood history. The 1966 song Jhumka Gira Re made a lost jhumka in Bareilly so famous that the city later installed a giant jhumka sculpture at a crossing, now known as Jhumka Chowk. Few pieces of jewellery can claim their own landmark.
A jhumka is more than an earring. It is movement, sound and tradition, worn just beneath the smile.
Types of jhumka by structure
Before we get to the designs, it helps to know the words people use in shops and searches:
- Ek tala jhumka: a single dome. The everyday classic.
- Do tala jhumka: two stacked domes or tiers, a little more festive.
- Teen tala jhumka: three tiers, a bridal and statement favourite.
- Pinjra (lattice) jhumka: an open, cage-like dome that lets light through and stays very light.
- Jhalar or latkan jhumka: a dome edged with a heavy fringe of pearls, beads or tassels.
- Chandbali jhumka: a crescent-moon (chand) frame with a jhumka hanging inside or below.
- Kashmiri or sahara jhumka: a jhumka with chains that hook into the hair. Read our full guide to Kashmiri earrings.
25 jhumka designs every woman should know
Here are 25 jhumka designs from the Keyura Jewellery collection, grouped into five families so you can find your style quickly. Every piece below is in stock and ships from our Dehradun workshop.
Classic and traditional jhumkas
1. The classic gold jhumka with pearl fringe. A round filigree stud, an engraved gold-tone dome and a ring of white pearls. If you own only one pair of jhumkas, make it this one. It goes with silk sarees, cotton kurtas and everything in between.
2. The temple jhumka. Inspired by South Indian temple jewellery, with a tall tiered tower and coloured stones. Made for weddings, Pongal, Onam and every occasion that calls for a silk saree.
3. The antique three-tier (teen tala) jhumka. Three graduated domes in an antique gold finish with red and turquoise stones. Dramatic, regal and perfect for a lehenga.
4. The chandbali jhumka. A crescent-moon top with an umbrella-shaped jhumka and pearl border. It frames the face beautifully and looks lovely in photographs.
5. The lotus-top jhumka. A lotus stud, a stone-set dome and a soft pearl fringe. A gentle, feminine take on the classic.
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Oxidised and German silver jhumkas
6. The oxidised sun-top jhumka. A sunburst stud and pearl drops in blackened silver tone. The perfect partner for cotton and handloom.
7. The German silver peacock jhumka. The peacock is India's favourite motif, here set with coloured stones above a silver bell.
8. The pinjra (lattice) jhumka. An open lattice dome that is wonderfully light, ideal if long earrings tire your ears.
9. The oxidised parrot jhumka. A playful parrot top with stones and pearls, a nod to folk jewellery.
10. The oxidised lotus-top jhumka. A lotus stud and pearl fringe in antique silver tone, easy to wear to college or the office.
Want more? Browse our full range of oxidised earrings and read about silver replica earrings.
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Meenakari and colourful jhumkas
11. The hand-painted meenakari jhumka. A floral disc top painted by hand in enamel colours, with a pearl fringe. Every pair is slightly unique.
12. The petite black meenakari jhumka. Black enamel flowers on gold tone. Unexpected, chic and very wearable.
13. The green meena lotus jhumka. A lotus stud in green enamel. Lovely with green, cream and pastel outfits.
14. The butterfly arch jhumka. A butterfly arch in pink enamel above a gold dome. Young, fresh and perfect for festive brunches.
15. The turquoise lotus jhumka. Turquoise accents and beaded bars that bring a hint of colour to a neutral outfit.
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Small and lightweight jhumkas for daily wear
Small jhumkas are among the most searched earrings in India, and with good reason. They bring a traditional touch to everyday outfits without weighing on your ears.
16. The small lotus bud jhumka. A tiny lotus bud in plain gold tone. Ideal for office wear and for a second piercing.
17. The petite stone-disc jhumka. A small stone-set disc and a neat dome. Smart enough for meetings, pretty enough for dinner.
18. The oxidised petite round-top jhumka. Minimal, lightweight and very affordable, an easy everyday pair.
19. The double mini jhumka. Two tiny jhumkas on one hook, playful and modern.
20. The lightweight two-tier jhumki. A two-tier hook jhumki with pearl drops that weighs almost nothing.
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Statement and special-occasion jhumkas
21. The Kashmiri jhumka with bell chains. A peacock top, a jhumka and fine bell chains that move as you walk.
22. The non-piercing lotus jhumka with ear chains. Designed to be worn without a piercing, using ear chains. A thoughtful choice for anyone without pierced ears.
23. The two-tone filigree jhumka. Gold and silver tones combined in a rhombus filigree with a pearl border. It goes with both gold and silver jewellery.
24. The leaf-panel jhumka with pearl fringe. A sculpted leaf panel above the bell, elegant and slightly longer.
25. The wide-disc antique bell jhumka. A broad disc top and a deep antique bell. Bold, vintage and full of character.
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How to choose the right jhumka for your face shape
| Face shape | Best jhumka styles | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Long, multi-tier and chandbali jhumkas | Vertical length makes the face look longer and more defined |
| Oval | Almost any style, especially classic and temple jhumkas | Balanced proportions suit both small and statement pieces |
| Square | Rounded domes, pearl fringes and lotus tops | Soft curves balance a strong jawline |
| Heart | Wider domes and jhalar jhumkas | Width at the jaw balances a broader forehead |
| Long | Small and medium jhumkas, wide discs | Shorter drops add width rather than length |
How to style jhumkas with your outfit
Jhumkas with a saree
For silk and Kanjivaram sarees, choose temple or antique gold jhumkas and add a jasmine gajra to complete the look. With cotton, linen or handloom sarees, oxidised jhumkas are hard to beat. With a modern chiffon or organza saree, try a meenakari jhumka in a colour picked from the print.
Jhumkas with a kurti or suit
Small and medium jhumkas lift a simple kurti instantly. For college and office, go for small lotus, petite disc or oxidised jhumkas. For festive suits, a pearl-fringe classic or a two-tier jhumka adds just the right amount of sparkle.
Jhumkas for a wedding or as a bride
Brides often choose a teen tala jhumka or a chandbali jhumka with a matching maang tikka. If you are wearing a heavy necklace, let the jhumkas be slightly simpler; if your neckline is bare, a statement jhumka can carry the whole look.
Jhumkas with western outfits
A small oxidised jhumka with a white shirt and denim, or a pearl jhumka with a black dress, is a fusion look that never fails. Keep the rest of your jewellery minimal and let the jhumka be the conversation piece.
Classic Plain Gold Jhumka with Pearl Fringe
Description
Specification
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Care guide
How to wear heavy jhumkas comfortably
- Use an ear chain or sahara. A thin chain from the jhumka to your hair carries much of the weight. This is exactly what Kashmiri jhumkas are designed for.
- Add support backs. Larger earring backs or silicone stoppers spread the weight across the earlobe.
- Choose lighter constructions. Lattice (pinjra) domes, hollow domes and brass bases look grand without the heaviness.
- Take breaks. At a long wedding, remove heavy jhumkas between ceremonies for a few minutes.
How to wear jhumkas without ear piercing
Look for non-piercing jhumkas with ear chains, clip-on jhumkas or ear-cuff styles. Our non-piercing lotus jhumka sits securely with the help of ear chains, so you can wear a jhumka without a piercing.
Jhumka price guide: what should you pay?
At Keyura Jewellery, small oxidised and German silver jhumkas start at around ₹149, classic gold-tone and meenakari jhumkas are typically between ₹180 and ₹450, and statement Kashmiri and non-piercing jhumkas range up to around ₹1,000. Because we sell directly from our workshop at factory rates, there are no middlemen and no marketplace commission in our prices.
Planning a special occasion? Our statement house Keyura Luxe offers hand-finished CZ jhumkas and chandbalis with 24-carat gold or rhodium plating.
How to care for your jhumkas
- Put jhumkas on last, after perfume, hairspray and make-up, and take them off first.
- Keep them away from water, sweat and humid bathrooms.
- Wipe them with a soft dry cloth after wearing.
- Store each pair separately so the pearl fringes and domes do not scratch or tangle.
- For everyday wear that resists tarnish, explore our anti-tarnish earrings.
Why buy jhumkas from Keyura Jewellery?
Keyura Jewellery is a jewellery house based in Dehradun, in the Devbhoomi of Uttarakhand. For years we have designed and supplied jewellery to retailers across India, and today we bring those same pieces directly to you at factory rates.
- More than a hundred jhumka designs, from ₹149 everyday pairs to bridal statement pieces.
- A registered business you can verify: GST invoice with every order, and a verified seller on Amazon and Flipkart.
- Fast dispatch: orders placed before 4 PM IST leave the same day, Monday to Saturday, and reach most of India in 2 to 5 working days.
- Worldwide delivery: we ship jhumkas abroad with tracked couriers, typically in 5 to 12 working days, with prices shown in your currency.
Shopping for a temple or home shrine as well? Shubbushrii, our divine jewellery label, makes jhumkas, mukuts and complete shringar for Laddu Gopal, Radha Rani and Mata Rani.
