The wedding of Anant Ambani, son of India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, and Radhika Merchant, at Jio Gardens in Mumbai was a star-studded affair that redefined extravagance. Beyond the grand decorations and bollywood guest list, the true showstopper was the dazzling display of gemstone jewelry adorning the Ambani family and their business-tycoon guests. From sparkling diamonds to vivid sapphires and emeralds, the jewelry pieces showcased were extraordinary, reflecting the Mumbai billionaire family's immense wealth and refined taste.
The groom, Anant Ambani, made a striking entrance at the wedding celebrations wearing a 720-carat emerald brooch, while the bride, dazzled in envy-inducing pieces throughout the multiple rounds of celebrations. The groom's sister, Isha, and mother, Nita, also wore majestic collections of gems, with her selection being particularly breathtaking. Beyond the impressive price tags of the jewellery worn by nearly every guest - which included prime ministers, this article highlights some unique pieces, including vintage heirlooms, and custom-designed rare jewels seen at the Ambani wedding.
The Radiant Bride: Radhika Merchant
Garba Night Elegance
For the pre wedding Garba Night, Radhika Merchant (now Ambani) radiated elegance in a polki jadau set from Jaipur Jewels. The traditional uncut gems set in gold were crafted into a statement choker and a round necklace featuring five ‘paan’-shaped pendants, each embellished with Zambian emerald drops. Weighing an impressive 407.14 grams, this masterpiece showcased the pinnacle of Indian craftsmanship. Complementing her look, the bride wore matching karn phool jhumar earrings. Her choice of Jaipur Jewels highlighted her impeccable taste and paid homage to India’s rich heritage.
Radhika in a Polki Jadau necklace by Jaipur Jewels
Sentimental Jewelry for the Pheras
Radhika's wedding jewelry beautifully blended tradition and family heritage. For the pheras, she wore a 20-year-old family heirloom from Roopchand Jewels, consisting of a gold and polki choker, necklace set, originally bought by her mother. This sentimental set was also worn by her sister Anjali for her pheras, adding an emotional touch to the occasion.
The complimentary centerpiece of her wedding jewellery was a stunning five-row rani haar by Mumbai jeweler Nisha Mehta. This traditional necklace featured syndicate polki (uncut diamonds) and Zambian emeralds, with the emerald-cut piece adorned with cascading emerald drops. She paired this exquisite piece with heirloom family jewels in antique uncut diamonds, gifted by her mother, Shaila Merchant. This combination of modern and antique pieces showcased the bride’s appreciation for both contemporary design and timeless family treasures.
The Groom & His Brooches
Anant Ambani has a notable affinity for brooches, and his wedding was no exception. For his pre-wedding function in Jamnagar, he wore a striking yellow diamond lion brooch with emeralds from Lorraine Schwartz, setting the tone for the grandeur to follow.
1. The Panther Brooch
One of the most talked-about pieces of the wedding night was the Panther Emerald Brooch. The groom adorned an opulent brooch crafted by Heeramaneck and Son, featuring a diamond-studded panther crouching on a magnificent 720-carat Zambian emerald. This stunning piece made a bold statement of luxury and elegance. Additionally, Anant wore a historic bazuband, worth Rs 200 crore, which once belonged to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who used it as his kalgi.
Anant Ambani’s Panther Brooch by Lorraine Schwartz
2. The Elephant Brooch
For his baraat, Anant chose an exquisite elephant-shaped brooch. This majestic piece was studded with diamonds and included both round and pear-shaped solitaires, valued at an estimated 14 crore. This brooch not only showcased his refined taste and the unparalleled opulence of the occasion but also served as an ode to his pet project, Vantara.
Anant Ambani’s Elephant Brooch
Sister-in-Law of the Groom: Shloka Ambani
Sentimental Family Heirloom
For one of the pre-wedding rituals, Shloka Ambani, the eldest daughter-in-law of Mukesh and Nita Ambani, wore a sentimental family heirloom. She adorned her grandmother's antique gold necklace, reminiscent of a traditional Gujarati Kaliganthi design. This piece was paired with a maang-tika, and bangles, adding a touch of heritage and nostalgia to her ensemble.
Dazzling Diamond Jewelry
Shloka Mehta, showcasing her status as the eldest daughter-in-law, wore a breathtaking 450-carat diamond set by Kantilal Chhotalal. The set featured four rows of exquisite diamonds—hearts, rounds, and pear drops—culminating in a magnificent central heart. Complementing this were cascading heart and round cuffs, along with a heart-shaped maang tikka accentuated with pear diamonds, creating a dazzling display of craftsmanship.
Shloka Ambani’s diamond set
Emerald Elegance for the Baraat
Continuing the family’s love for emeralds, the baraat Shloka, wore a stunning necklace made of emerald beads, stacked with an emerald-studded choker. She paired this with a maang tikka and emerald-beaded bracelets by the renowned Indian jeweler Viren Bhagat. This ensemble perfectly complemented the opulence and elegance of the event.
Shloka Ambani’s emerald necklace by Viren Bhagat
The Mother of the Groom: Nita Ambani
Her jewellery choices during the wedding festivities were a magnificent nod to the opulence of Indian royalty. Her ensembles showcased a grandeur reminiscent of bygone eras, with each piece reflecting her refined taste and the Ambani family’s legacy.
The 100-Carat Diamond Necklace
For the main wedding event, the mother of the groom did not disappoint, created by Kantilal Chhotalal, her necklace, titled ‘Surya Shakti,’ was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, taking over 1,000 artisan hours to complete. This striking piece featured a captivating 100-carat yellow cushion diamond with an 80-carat emerald-cut solitaire drop. The central motif was surrounded by portrait-cut diamonds—a heritage cut favored by Mughal royalty. Five rows of flawlessly matched round solitaires created a river of brilliance, enhancing the warmth and magnificence of the central diamond. Her ensemble was further complemented by yellow diamond Nizami earrings, a yellow pear diamond tikka, solitaire hairpins, and a perfectly matched solitaire set.
Nita Ambani’s 100-carat diamond necklace
The Allure of Emeralds
During the sindoor daan and mangalsutra rituals, she showcased her affinity for emeralds with an exquisite collection designed by the Ambani family’s favored jeweler, Viren Bhagat. Known for his unique designs that blend Art Deco and Mughal influences, Bhagat’s emerald jewelry added a regal touch to her attire. A standout piece was the emerald armband, or bajuband, which further elevated her already magnificent look.
Nita Ambani adorning Emerald pieces by Viren Bhagat
A Touch of Nostalgia
Nita Ambani once again drew attention with her emerald jewelry for the bride’s mameru ceremony. The necklace featured three magnificent emeralds suspended from an intricate diamond-encrusted chain. This piece was also worn by her in 2016 and reappearance at this intimate family gathering underscored their enduring love for emeralds.
Sister of the Groom: Isha Ambani Piramal
The groom’s sister and billionaire heiress, Isha Ambani Piramal, has been grabbing attention with her impeccable style, featuring rare archival couture lehengas and sarees and stunning jewel choices.
The Garden of Love Necklace
For the sindoor daan and mangalsutra wedding ceremony, she wore a breathtaking neckpiece named ‘Garden of Love’ crafted by Kantilal Chhotalal. This masterpiece took 4,000 hours for artisans to complete and features rare pink, blue, green, and orange diamonds arranged like a blooming garden on a bed of custom-cut portrait diamonds. The central flower of this piece showcases a heart-shaped blue diamond framed by portrait-cut diamonds. The necklace is complemented by diamond flowers on her ears and clusters of colored diamonds adorning her maang tikka, creating a symphony of light and color.
Isha Ambani’s Garden of Love necklace
Historic Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace
At the after-party of Anant and Radhika’s haldi ceremony, she donned what is believed to be the historic Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. This vintage masterpiece of diamonds, emeralds, and gold, which belongs to her mother, showcased her flair for styling family heirlooms. The emerald jadau neckpiece was paired with a cocktail ring, and beige-toned bangles, reflecting a blend of tradition and modernity. Completing her ensemble was a stunning real gold hair ornament pinned to her braid, custom-made by India’s Birdhichand jewellers, featuring diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
The Navratna Gemstone Necklace
In another event, the sister of the groom dazzled in a magnificent Navratna necklace, a piece that took three years to collect and is from the personal collection of Mrs. Nita Ambani. This necklace comprises nine different gems, with an emerald in the center and four stones on either side. Each stone is approximately 40 carats, making it a one-of-a-kind piece. The stones include pearl, hessonite, yellow sapphire, blue sapphire, emerald, ruby, diamond, coral, and cat's eye. She also paired this exquisite necklace with mismatched diamond and emerald earrings, showcasing her unique and sophisticated style.
Isha Ambani’s Navratna necklace
Indian weddings have a rich tradition of incorporating gems into bridal attire, and these stones carry deep cultural significance, symbolizing prosperity, good luck, and blessings for the newlyweds. The Ambani wedding, a spectacle of unmatched opulence, showcased an extravagant display of jewelry, reflecting the family's immense wealth and refined taste. More than a display of luxury, the event paid homage to the cultural importance of gems in Indian weddings and their timeless role in blessing the union of two souls. As the celebrations draw to a close, the memories of this glittering gala, adorned with precious stones and steeped in tradition, will continue to shine brightly.
