Polki Pearl Mala

The Polki Pearl Mala is a short gold plated necklace made of one row of polki stones, each sitting in a gold frame with a thin green enamel edge. A round white pearl hangs under every stone. It ties at the back with a gold dori, so you can set the length. Simple, neat and very wearable.

There are about twenty-five polki stones in a single row. The stones are flat and uncut, in mixed shapes: cushion, round, oval and a few pentagon shapes, which makes the line look hand made rather than machine even. Each polki sits in a closed gold setting with a narrow green meenakari border. Under each stone hangs one round white pearl, held by a small gold star-shaped cap. The links are short, so the row follows the curve of the neck. At both ends the necklace joins a twisted gold dori with a knotted gold bead cap. The dori lets you tie it close like a choker or lower on the collarbone. It is light and sits flat. It is a single necklace, no earrings are shown.

This mala suits a mehndi, a dholki, a qawwali night or Eid lunch, with yellow, green, mustard, white or pastel outfits in lawn, cotton silk or chiffon. It is light enough to wear for hours. Add small polki studs or jhumkay and leave the rest of the look simple.

Each frame is made in 925 sterling silver and gold plated, with the green enamel edge filled in by hand. The polki stones are hand set in closed settings in the traditional way, and every pearl is fixed under its stone by hand. The dori is attached and knotted at the end.

Keep the polki and enamel dry, since water can get behind the stones and dull them. Put the necklace on after perfume and hairspray. Wipe the frames and pearls gently with a soft dry cloth and store the mala flat in a box with the dori loosely coiled.