From The Peopling of New York City

Jewelry Stores

The numerous jewelry stores around 74th street also attract a variety of customers, from a single customer seeking a single pair of gold and gem studded earrings, or a whole family looking for specific wedding jewelry. Generally speaking, jewelry is sign of wealth, and it contributes to the beautification of the woman. In addition, it is also purchased as an investment, and can be sold for a large sum of money when a family is in financial trouble. Most of the jewelry sold at Jackson Heights is made of 22 Karat gold, which is a more reliable source of wealth than paper money. Although each store offers different types of jewelry based on preference and regional background, the main type bridal jewelry that these stores display are the mangalsutra/thali (one main symbol of marriage), long necklace sets, earrings, and gold bangles.

List of the main Indian bridal jewelry:

1 - Mangalsutra/Thali (see caption above)

2 - 22 Karat gold necklace sets

3 - Earrings

4 - Red churiyan (regular thin bangles) & gold kada (thick bangles)

5 - Nath/nose ring (see caption above)

6 - Manga tika - consists of a pendant that hangs down on the forehead from a string on the center parting of a bride's head

7 - Hathphool - consists of multiple rings connected to a bracelet

8 - Gold anklet & toe rings

9 - Kalire - a chandelier of gold bells that is shaken over bridesmaids; detachment of these bells signals the next woman/bridesmaid to be wed

10 - Bajuband - gold bands worn on both arms

Sizes & styles that a bride may wear varies depending on preference and budget.

Beauty is not only accentuated with jewelry, but special grooming as well. To look their best, both the bride and groom go to beauty salons for a nice haircut, a facial, etc. Interviews with several beauty shop employees at Jackson Heights confirmed that they do have customers who are going to get married.

The declining economy has certainly influenced the jewelry businesses in Jackson Heights. Several jewelry storeowners have confirmed fewer customers, and one recent article "The Two-Precious Metal" describes a decrease in the number of customers on 74th street, compared to the late 1990s when gold was cheaper. According to the article, a shopkeeper at Sona Jewels thinks that brides are using the artificial costume jewelry. Or they may just be buying less.