Pure Pearls Glossary
Taar Mala
A necklace of many fine parallel strands gathered into one clasp. Traditional Hyderabadi pearl work.
Taar means wire or string. A taar mala runs many thin strands of small pearls together, sometimes ten or more, held by spacer bars and a broad clasp.
The effect is volume without weight, since the pearls are small even though there are thousands of them.
It is one of the signature forms of Hyderabadi pearl jewellery, where pearl stringing has been a craft speciality for generations.
When you are buying
The clasp and the spacer bars are where a taar mala fails. Inspect how the strands are anchored before you look at the pearls themselves.
Taar malas
18 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹1,500.
Lovely Taar Jhumkas Featuring Dainty 2mm White Seed Pearls In 2rows
Simple 19Inch Necklace With 3mm White Oval Pearls & Kemp Lotus Pendant
Stunning Taar Jhumkas Featuring Dainty 2mm White Seed Pearls In 3rows
Delicate 18Inch White Oval Pearls Taar Necklace With 925 Green Kemp Pendant
Vibrant 19Inch White Seed Pearls Taar Necklace With 925 Peacock Pendant
Elegant White Pearls 10 String Taar Mala Bracelet
Subtle 22Inch White Oval Pearls Taar Necklace With 925 Turquoise Pendant
6 lines taar mala in seed pearls and real emeralds
Read next
Lines
How many parallel strands a necklace is made from. A 3-line necklace has three rows running together into one clasp.
Spacer
A small bar with several holes that keeps the rows of a multi-line necklace parallel and untangled.
Rani Haar
A long, elaborate necklace worn below a choker, reaching the chest or stomach. The centrepiece of a bridal set.
Seed Pearl
A very small pearl, under about 2mm, used in clusters, embroidery and temple work.
Not sure what you are being sold?
Paste any pearl description — another shop’s listing, a message from a jeweller, an old certificate — and we will break it down term by term.