Danglers, pearls and heritage metalwork: Bangladesh’s evolving jewellery trends
Statement earrings, layered embellishments, and revived artisanal techniques are driving a new wave in Bangladesh’s jewellery market, where cultural roots meet contemporary expression
From statement jhumkas to handcrafted katai pieces, Bangladesh's jewellery scene is embracing bold silhouettes, heritage motifs, and layered embellishments that blend tradition with contemporary style.
Fashion in Bangladesh has always been a careful balance between tradition and reinvention. While clothing trends shift each season along with fabric choices, jewellery often becomes the defining element that brings festive outfits to life — it adds vibrancy to what we wear.
Social media consumption, regional fashion exchanges, and the revival of traditional crafts have all contributed to a jewellery scene that feels both culturally rooted and globally influenced, even in the more remote areas of the country.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
If there is one clear trend dominating accessories right now, it is statement earrings. Younger shoppers have particularly popularised large jhumkas, chandelier earrings — sometimes as heavy as stones — and layered danglers.
These dramatic pieces add instant impact to even the simplest outfits, which is one reason stylists say they continue to dominate seasonal trends: a single piece can be styled in multiple ways.
Pakistani-style jhumkas, with their bell-shaped domes and intricate detailing, have been especially influential. Often embellished with pearls, small gemstone clusters, or engraved patterns, these earrings reflect ornate Mughal-inspired traditions — styles that figures such as Rani Mumtaz might once have worn.
On the other hand, Kashmiri-style earrings — often featuring paisley carvings, floral engravings inspired by the region's landscapes, or enamel work — have found strong appeal among Bangladeshi consumers looking for pieces that feel festive yet culturally familiar.
The influence of Pakistani drama series and the growing popularity of regional aesthetics have likely played a significant role. Improved import access has also made it easier to source such designs from abroad.
While traditional gold and silver pieces such as jhumkas (chandelier earrings), pearl strings, chokers, pendants, long chains with ball detailing, kanpasha (ear-covering ornaments), ratan chur, ruli (thin bangles), kankan (thick bangles), and jhapta (a hair ornament pinned to one side of the head) remain popular, fashion jewellery has gone through multiple design phases.
The shift towards more modern and contemporary styles reflects the changing social and economic landscape of the Indian subcontinent. As more women enter the workforce and become financially independent, they are increasingly seeking jewellery that is practical and suitable for daily wear. Modern jewellery is also more accessible and affordable, making it particularly appealing to younger generations.
The revival of handcrafted metal jewellery
Alongside these regional influences, Bangladesh's own handcrafted jewellery traditions are experiencing renewed attention. One such craft is katai jewellery — a technique in which thin metal sheets are hand-cut to create intricate patterns. Unlike mass-produced pieces, katai jewellery retains a visible sense of craftsmanship, with each cut and detail shaped by hand.
According to Sultana Anbar, founder of the jewellery page Anbaar's, the craft has been central to many designs inspired by traditional motifs.
"We had been working with traditional katai jewellery for quite some time," Anbar says. "In this technique, metal sheets are carefully hand-cut to create detailed patterns, including Jamdani-inspired designs. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of our artisans experimented with a few Jamdani motifs."
The delicate nature of katai work allows artisans to translate patterns from textiles, architecture, and nature into metal designs.
Motifs drawn from tradition
While silhouettes such as jhumkas and chandeliers dominate the visual appeal of jewellery, the motifs themselves often draw inspiration from nature and traditional craft patterns — for instance, small ball-like jhumkis that evoke childhood celebrations.
Floral elements, paisley forms, vines, and geometric arrangements are frequently explored in earrings and pendants. Motifs depicting living beings are often avoided during celebrations such as Eid, in order to prevent cultural or religious debate.
Some of these motifs echo patterns long found in Bangladeshi textiles such as Jamdani, though designers now reinterpret them in contemporary forms.
"Several Jamdani motifs can be creatively adapted into jewellery," Anbar explains. "Among them, charkona, kolka, and various floral motifs work especially well. Their balanced shapes and intricate details translate beautifully into earrings, pendants, or statement pieces."
The translation from textile motif to metal ornament reflects a broader trend within South Asian fashion — one that celebrates heritage while adapting it to modern design contexts.
From niche trend to wider market
Bangladeshi heritage-inspired jewellery gained noticeable attention in the early 2020s, when a handful of small designers began experimenting with traditional patterns and handcrafted techniques. Trends in heritage jewellery often cycle in and out of popularity every few years, but since then, the market has gradually expanded.
"Jamdani jewellery became particularly popular around 2020 when we first introduced it," Anbar notes. "At that time, only a few brands were working with these motifs, but in recent years they have become more widely available. As a result, the trend has stabilised, and demand is slightly lower now."
As more designers entered the space, these styles moved from niche craft products into mainstream festive fashion.
Today, regional trends such as Kashmiri earrings and Pakistani jhumkas complement heritage-inspired jewellery, creating a diverse and dynamic accessories market.
Layering and embellishment
Pieces featuring stones, pearls, and enamel detailing are particularly popular for both ethnic and Western wear. These decorative elements add depth and brilliance to metalwork while enhancing the ornamental quality of statement pieces.
"This season we introduced several new designs such as Lota, Anaar, and Moharaani," Anbar says.
Such embellishments reflect a broader South Asian jewellery aesthetic, where nature-inspired motifs and gemstone accents often symbolise prosperity, beauty, and celebration.
How the trend played out this Eid
During Eid, these details contributed strongly to the overall festive aesthetic. For many shoppers, jewellery selection began only after choosing their outfits, with statement earrings guiding most styling decisions.
Stylists suggest that the key to a balanced festive look is selecting one strong statement piece — usually earrings — and keeping the rest of the accessories relatively minimal.
Large jhumkas or chandelier earrings pair particularly well with classic textiles such as Jamdani saris or silk kurtas. Meanwhile, lighter floral studs or small drop earrings complement modern fusion outfits.
This Eid season, the popularity of Kashmiri-style earrings, Pakistani jhumkas, and handcrafted katai jewellery was evident across displays and online shops alike, reflecting a shared aesthetic rooted in intricate craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
Tradition in a changing fashion landscape
Within this evolving landscape, heritage motifs — whether drawn from textiles like Jamdani or from nature-inspired patterns — continue to find new forms of expression. Jewellery remains a deeply personal medium of style: bold jhumkas often accompany moments of confidence and celebration, while at other times, simplicity — or even the absence of adornment — can speak just as strongly.
Kashmiri-style earrings, Pakistani jhumkas, and handcrafted katai jewellery may differ in origin, but they share a common thread: a deep appreciation for intricate design and cultural storytelling.
From dramatic statement earrings to delicately cut metal patterns, accessories are once again proving that tradition and modern fashion do not have to compete — they can coexist beautifully.
