Gold is part of almost every important moment in Nepali life. A bride receives her tilhari and pote on her wedding day, families buy gold or silver at Tihar, and grandmothers pass down pieces that carry the memory of three generations. For many households, jewellery is also the family's savings, kept safe and worn with pride.
We wrote this guide at Siddhartha Jewellers in Pokhara for anyone buying gold jewellery in Nepal, whether it's a first chain or a complete bridal set. It covers the traditional ornaments you will hear about, the designs most people choose today, and the practical checks that decide whether you get good value.
In this guide
Why gold matters in Nepal
| Occasion | What gold does | Pieces you will see |
|---|---|---|
| Weddings | Marks a woman as married; given by the groom’s family during the rituals | Tilhari, pote, phuli (nose pin), bangles, ring |
| Teej | Married women dress in red and wear their wedding ornaments | Pote, tilhari, naugedi |
| Dashain and Tihar | Festive dress; many families buy gold or silver during Tihar | Naugedi with tilhari or jantar, coins, silverware |
| Life rites | Newar girls’ Ihi and Bahra ceremonies, old-age Janko | Sheerbandi, tikma, tayo |
| Family savings | Kept for the future, remade for the next generation | Heavier 22K and 24K pieces |
Because jewellery carries meaning as well as value, the same piece can be a religious symbol, a family heirloom and an investment at the same time. That is worth remembering when you choose: a tilhari is bought to be worn for a lifetime, while a fashion pendant may be replaced in a few years.
Traditional Nepali ornaments, from head to toe
Nepal's communities each have their own ornaments, and names vary from place to place. The diagram shows where the best-known pieces are worn; the glossary below explains each one.
Diagram 1
Where each ornament is worn
- 1
Head and forehead
Sirbandi (shirbandi), maang tika, luswan
- 2
Ears
Dhungri, chepte sun, jhumka, pinjada, Marwari hoops
- 3
Nose
Phuli, bulaki
- 4
Neck
Choker, kantha, tikma
- 5
Chest
Rani haar, pote, naugedi, jantar
- 6
Long necklaces · the largest pieces
Tilhari, tayo
- 7
Wrists
Chura (bangles), kada
- 8
Fingers
Asarfi (coin) ring
Necklaces and neck ornaments
- Tilhari तिलहरीMarried women
- Strands of green glass beads (chhadke tilhari) with a gold pendant, traditionally a small gold cylinder. The groom places it on the bride on the wedding day. Believed to bring good fortune.
- Pote पोतेMarried women
- Strands of red, green or yellow glass beads. The yellow pote (pahelo pote) is placed on the bride after kanyadaan. Worn at pujas, weddings and Teej.
- Naugedi नौगेडीFestivals and weddings
- Nine decorative gold beads strung with glass beads. A groom may give it as a symbol of marriage. Often worn with tilhari or a jantar.
- Kantha कण्ठाGurung, Magar, Limbu
- Gold beads joined by small pads of red felt, worn close to the neck with traditional dress.
- Rani haar रानी हारBrides
- “Queen’s necklace”: a long, heavy necklace with a thick chain and a large pendant. Popular at weddings in recent years.
- Tayo तायोNewar brides
- A hollow, six-sided gold pendant on a necklace of panels and snake heads, linked to the founding legend of the Kathmandu Valley.
Head, ears and nose
- Sirbandi शिरबन्दीBrides
- A gold chain hooked into the hair with a pendant resting on the forehead, similar to a maang tika. Newar brides wear a three-row version across the forehead.
- Dhungri ढुङ्ग्रीHill communities
- A flower-shaped gold earring set with rubies, emeralds or pearls. One of the oldest designs, now mostly seen on older women in the hills.
- Chepte sun चेप्टे सुनHill communities
- Flat earrings of embossed sheet gold, decorated with sun-and-rays motifs.
- Phuli फुलीMost communities
- A small nose pin, worn on the left side. A Brahmin or Chhetri bride changes into the phuli brought by the groom after kanyadaan.
- Bulaki बुलाकीMagar, Limbu, Thami
- A nose ornament with a pendant that hangs down to the lips. Designs differ between communities.
Hands and protection
- Chura and kada चुराEveryone
- Gold bangles, often worn with red glass bangles by a bride; kada is a heavier single bangle.
- Asarfi ring असर्फीBrides and grooms
- A ring set with a gold coin, the most common ring exchanged at weddings.
- Jantar जन्तरWomen and children
- A square gold or silver amulet that holds a mantra written by a priest or monk. Worn for protection and good fortune.
For the history and regional roots of these ornaments, read The Story of Traditional Nepali Jewellery.
Popular designs today
| Design | What it looks like | Usual purity | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple and Lakshmi | Deity motifs, coin details, often an antique (matte) finish | 22K | Weddings, festivals, heirlooms |
| Layered haar | Two to five strands of chain or beads at different lengths | 22K | Brides; statement wear |
| Choker sets | A broad necklace close to the neck with matching earrings | 22K | Brides and wedding guests |
| Light everyday gold | Thin chains, small pendants (Om, Ganesh, initials), studs, slim bangles | 22K or 18K | Daily wear, gifts |
| Diamond and stone-set | Gold settings holding diamonds, rubies or emeralds | 18K | Engagement rings, modern sets |
| Mangalsutra | Black beads with a gold pendant | 22K | Married women, alongside or instead of pote |
Examples from our collection: the Heritage Multi-Layer Haar Set, the Emerald Bead Heritage Choker Set, Traditional Gold Jhumki Earrings and the Ganesha Pendant. Browse more in Gold Jewellery, Antique Jewellery and Diamond Jewellery.
How to choose the right piece
1. Start with how often you'll wear it
Jewellery you wear every day needs to be sturdy: smooth edges, secure clasps and few protruding stones. Pieces for weddings and festivals can be heavier and more detailed because they are worn a few times a year.
2. Pick the purity
22K is the classic choice for traditional pieces; 18K is better for diamond and stone-set jewellery; 24K suits coins and simple, solid designs. Our gold purity guide explains the difference with diagrams.
3. Think in weight, not only looks
Gold is priced by weight, so two necklaces that look the same size can cost very different amounts. Hollow and filigree designs look generous for their weight; solid pieces feel heavier and last longer. Ask for the net gold weight of every piece (1 tola = 11.6638 g).
4. Get the length and size right
Diagram 2
Necklace lengths and where they sit
| Length | Where it sits | Typical pieces |
|---|---|---|
| 14–16 in35–40 cm | Close around the neck | Choker, kantha, tikma |
| 18 in45 cm | On the collarbone | Everyday chain and pendant |
| 20–22 in50–56 cm | Below the collarbone | Mangalsutra, naugedi, haar |
| 24 in61 cm | On the chest | Rani haar, pote, layered haar |
| 30 in +76 cm + | Below the chest, towards the waist | Tilhari |
For bangles, try them on: the right size slides over the knuckles with a little effort and doesn't fall off. Rings can usually be resized a little, but stone-set and patterned bands are harder to change.
5. Look closely at the craftsmanship
What to check before you pay
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Today’s rate | Gold prices change daily. FENEGOSIDA publishes the reference rate; our Pokhara rate is on our home page. |
| Purity on the bill | The bill should state 24K, 22K or 18K, so the piece can be valued correctly later. |
| Net gold weight | Stones, beads and fillings should be listed separately from gold. |
| Making charge (jyala) | Ask how it is calculated: per gram, per tola or as a percentage. |
| Wastage (jarti) | Added to every piece as a percentage of the net weight, for the gold lost while it is made. Ask what percentage applies. |
| Luxury tax | Usually 2%, added to the gold value and jyala. Check that it is on the bill. |
| Exchange terms | Ask what the shop pays for its own pieces if you exchange them later. |
| Certificates | For diamonds and gemstones, ask for a certificate where one is available. |
Caring for gold jewellery
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined box | Throwing pieces together in one box, where they scratch |
| Put jewellery on last, after perfume and hairspray | Wearing gold while cleaning with chemicals, swimming or exercising |
| Clean plain gold with mild soap, warm water and a soft brush | Soaking bead strings like pote and tilhari: water weakens the thread |
| Have clasps and settings checked once a year | Using toothpaste or harsh polish on gold |
Questions and answers
What jewellery is most important for a Nepali bride?
It depends on the community. At many Brahmin and Chhetri weddings the groom’s side brings the tilhari, the yellow pote and the phuli, along with gold bangles, and the couple exchange rings. Newar brides traditionally wear the tayo and sheerbandi. Ask family elders early, because customs vary from family to family.
Which gold purity is best for everyday jewellery?
22K is the most popular for traditional everyday pieces. 18K is harder and better for diamond and stone-set jewellery that you wear every day.
How many grams are in one tola?
One tola is 11.6638 grams. Ten grams is about 0.857 tola.
What is the difference between tilhari and pote?
Pote is the strand of glass beads itself. A tilhari is a necklace of green bead strands finished with a gold pendant, traditionally a small gold cylinder.
Can I exchange old gold for new jewellery?
Many jewellers in Nepal accept old gold in exchange. The value depends on the tested purity and the net weight on the day. Making charges paid originally are usually not returned.
Sources
- Onlinekhabar English 11 jewellery items that you cannot miss at weddings in Nepal (1 February 2022)
- Onlinekhabar English Nepal’s 10 most popular jewellery items for women (6 February 2022)
- Bhaktapur.com Traditional Newa Jewelry
- The Kathmandu Post Traders now offer 999 fine gold (21 January 2017)
Written by the team at Siddhartha Jewellers, Pokhara. Facts about history and customs are taken from the sources above; customs vary between families and communities.