Silver anklets, or payal, are worn across India for reasons that mix tradition, beauty and practicality. The honest answer to ‘what are the benefits of wearing silver anklets’ is this: the practical benefits are real (they are durable, affordable compared with gold, easy to wear daily and hold some metal value), while many of the health benefits you see online are traditional beliefs that have not been proven by solid research. This guide explains both, so you can enjoy your payal without being misled.
What Are Silver Anklets Called in India?
The same jewellery goes by many names. In Hindi it is payal or pajeb, in Punjabi jhanjhar, in Tamil kolusu, in Malayalam padasaram, and in Marathi painjan or paijan. Designs range from a thin chain to heavy, bell-lined pieces with ghungroo that chime with every step. Anklets are worn by girls, brides and married women, and in some communities they are part of the wedding trousseau along with silver toe rings.
Practical Benefits of Wearing Silver Anklets
- Durable for daily wear: Sterling silver (92.5 percent silver) is harder than pure silver because of the added copper, so a good 925 anklet can be worn every day for years.
- Affordable compared with gold: Silver costs far less than gold, which is why it is the usual choice for feet, where jewellery takes more knocks.
- Holds some value: A genuine silver anklet has metal value. Exchange rates depend on the jeweller and the current silver price, and making charges are usually not returned.
- Easy to repair and resize: Jewellers can add or remove links, fix hooks and replace ghungroo at low cost.
- Works with ethnic and western outfits: A thin chain suits jeans and dresses; a heavier payal completes a saree, lehenga or chaniya choli.
- Gentle on most skin: Good-quality sterling silver is generally well tolerated. Irritation is more often caused by cheap plated pieces with a base metal such as nickel underneath.
- Cultural meaning: For many families, payal are a gift that marks milestones, such as a baby’s naming ceremony, a girl’s coming of age or a wedding.
Traditional Beliefs About Silver Anklets
Many claims about silver anklets come from Ayurveda, folk practice and religious custom. They matter to a lot of people, but they are beliefs, not proven medical facts. The table shows the common ones and what can honestly be said about each.
| Traditional belief | Where it comes from | What we can say |
|---|---|---|
| Silver has a cooling effect on the body | Ayurvedic idea that silver balances heat, while gold is considered warming | A long-held belief. There is no reliable evidence that an anklet changes body temperature. |
| Anklets improve blood circulation in the legs | Folk belief, often repeated online | Not supported by good research. Walking and movement help circulation; jewellery has not been shown to. |
| Silver touching the skin gives energy from the earth | Spiritual belief that feet connect us to the earth | A matter of faith rather than science. |
| Gold should not be worn on the feet | Religious custom linking gold to Goddess Lakshmi, so many families avoid wearing it below the waist | A cultural rule followed in many Hindu families, not a health rule. |
| The sound of ghungroo keeps negativity away | Folk and religious tradition | A belief. Many people simply enjoy the sound, and parents like hearing where toddlers are. |
| Silver is antibacterial, so anklets protect the skin | Silver compounds are used in some medical dressings | Silver does have antimicrobial properties in specific medical uses, but there is no evidence that wearing an anklet protects your skin or health. |
If someone tells you a silver anklet will cure leg pain, swelling or hormonal problems, treat that as a claim without proof. For any health issue, see a doctor.
925 Sterling vs Pure vs Plated vs German Silver
What your payal is made of decides how long it lasts and whether it is worth anything. This comparison is the part most guides skip.
| Type | What it is | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine or pure silver (999) | About 99.9 percent silver | Coins and some traditional heavy pieces | Soft, bends and scratches easily on feet |
| Sterling silver (925) | 92.5 percent silver mixed with other metals, usually copper | Daily-wear anklets and bridal payal | Tarnishes over time, but cleans easily |
| Silver-plated | A thin silver layer over brass, copper or another base metal | Occasional wear and fashion pieces | Plating wears off; base metals may irritate sensitive skin; little resale value |
| German silver | An alloy of copper, nickel and zinc with no actual silver | Budget and oxidised tribal-style designs | Not silver at all; contains nickel, which some people are allergic to |
How to Check If Your Silver Anklet Is Real
- Look for a stamp: Genuine sterling pieces are usually marked 925 near the hook or on a small tag. In India, also ask whether the piece carries a BIS hallmark.
- Ask for a proper bill: A bill that states the weight and purity protects you if you want to exchange it later.
- Check the weight and price: If a heavy-looking pair costs far less than its silver weight would, it is probably plated or German silver.
- Watch how it tarnishes: Real silver darkens slowly and polishes back to white. Plated pieces often show a yellow or copper colour where the layer has rubbed off.
- Use a jeweller’s test if unsure: Many jewellers can test purity in a few minutes. Home tricks like the magnet test only tell you a piece is not iron-based; they do not prove it is silver.
Popular Silver Anklet Designs
- Ghungroo payal: Rows of tiny bells, the classic choice for weddings and festivals.
- Chain anklet: A thin single chain for daily wear and western outfits.
- Pajeb with meenakari: Coloured enamel work, popular in Rajasthani and Gujarati styles.
- Heavy bridal payal: Wide, layered designs that suit lehengas and bridal sarees.
- Oxidised payal: Darkened finish for a tribal or boho look, great with cotton sarees and kurtis.
- Kids’ anklets: Light designs with soft hooks; choose ones without small loose parts for young children.
How to Style Silver Anklets With Ethnic Wear
- With a saree, choose a payal with a bit of weight so it shows below the pleats. Keep the saree length just above the ankle if you want it seen. Our saree captions for Instagram are handy for that close-up shot.
- With a lehenga, go for wide bridal payal in the same metal tone as your other jewellery. Browse our top lehenga choli picks for outfit ideas.
- For garba nights, ghungroo payal add sound to every step. Pair them with these garba outfit ideas.
- For a nauvari on festivals, traditional painjan suit the look. Our Gudi Padwa captions in Marathi fit those festive pictures.
- For weddings, match payal with toe rings and keep the rest of your silver jewellery in the same finish. These wedding captions work well for bridal detail shots.
How to Care for Silver Anklets
- Silver darkens when it reacts with sulphur compounds in the air, sweat and some cosmetics, so tarnish is normal, not a sign of fake silver.
- Take anklets off before swimming in chlorinated pools, using strong cleaners or applying body lotion on your feet.
- Clean with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap, using a soft toothbrush on the bells. Dry fully before storing.
- Store each pair in a small zip bag or a cloth pouch to reduce air contact and stop chains tangling.
- Check hooks and screws every few weeks; a loose hook is the most common reason anklets get lost.
Who Should Be Careful
If an anklet causes itching, redness or a rash, take it off. This can happen with nickel-containing alloys or plated pieces, and occasionally with other metals. Anyone with a skin condition, swelling or reduced feeling in the feet should check with a doctor before wearing tight or heavy anklets for long hours. For young children, choose light designs and check regularly that no bells or parts are coming loose.
Comparing white metals for other jewellery? Read our guide on how platinum differs from silver.
FAQ: Benefits of Wearing Silver Anklets
Is it good to wear silver anklets every day?
Yes, a well-made sterling silver anklet is fine for daily wear for most people. Remove it for swimming and cleaning, and keep the hooks tight.
Do silver anklets have scientifically proven health benefits?
Not that we know of. Claims about circulation, cooling or hormone balance come from tradition and have not been backed by reliable studies. Wear them because you like them, not as a treatment.
Why do Indian women wear silver and not gold anklets?
In many Hindu families, gold is associated with Goddess Lakshmi and is traditionally not worn below the waist. Silver is also more affordable and better suited to the wear and tear that feet get.
Can men wear silver anklets?
Yes. In some communities and regions men wear silver kada or chains on the ankle, and thin chain anklets are a common fashion choice too.
Why does my silver anklet turn black?
That is tarnish from sulphur in the air, sweat and products on your skin. It can be cleaned off with mild soap or a silver polishing cloth.
Should anklets be worn on one foot or both?
Traditional Indian payal are usually worn as a pair on both feet. Fashion chain anklets are often worn on just one foot. Both are fine.
