Crystal & Bead Long Haram Necklace Sets
A haram (also spelt haaram) - rani haar in the north - is the long necklace that falls below the bust rather than sitting at the collar. Strands of beads gathered at gold spacer bars set with kemp stones, finished with a cast Lakshmi pendant. The strands give the piece movement a solid collar cannot have, which is why a haram catches light continuously as you walk.
Two kinds here. Faceted crystal, which flashes as it moves, in green and maroon. And opaque bead harams in olive, green, pink, maroon and purple, which read softer and photograph better against a busy silk. Every one comes with matching jhumkas.
Peacock Lakshmi Crystal Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Maroon Beads
Twin Peacock Lakshmi Crystal Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Maroon Beads
Round Lakshmi Crystal Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Maroon Beads
Compact Lakshmi Crystal Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Maroon Beads
Ornate Lakshmi Crystal Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Maroon Beads
Emerald Green Lakshmi Crystal Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas
Lotus Yoke Lakshmi Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Olive Beads
Peacock Yoke Lakshmi Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Green Beads
Floral Crest Lakshmi Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Pink Beads
Scroll Yoke Lakshmi Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Maroon Beads
Ornate Yoke Lakshmi Bead Long Haram Rani Haar Set with Jhumkas - Purple Beads
Questions about Crystal & Bead Long Haram Necklace Sets
How long are these?
Haram length - they fall below the bust, roughly towards the waist depending on height. They are usually layered under or over a shorter temple collar rather than worn alone.
Are the beads glass or plastic?
The crystal harams use faceted glass crystal - that is what produces the flash when they move. A plastic bead the same size would be noticeably lighter in the hand and flat under light. The opaque bead harams use moulded beads chosen for colour rather than sparkle.
Is a haram the same thing as a rani haar?
Near enough, and shops use the words interchangeably. Haram (or haaram) is the South Indian name and rani haar the North Indian one; both mean the long necklace worn below a shorter collar. What is on this page is the South Indian form - bead strands with a cast Lakshmi centre.
Which colour is harder to find?
Green. It sits particularly well against red, maroon and cream silks, which is what most wedding-season outfits are.
What is this jewellery made of?
Every piece is Zamak alloy with an antique gold-plated finish. It is imitation jewellery, not solid gold, which is exactly why a bridal-scale set costs a few hundred rupees instead of a few lakh.
How do I keep the gold plating from fading?
Put the jewellery on last, after perfume and hairspray, and take it off first. Wipe it with a dry cloth after wearing and store it in the pouch it arrived in, away from damp. Treated that way the plating holds its colour for years of occasion wear.