Impon Attikai – JCNL314

his is a key term in South Indian jewelry. “Impon” or “Aympon” (from the Tamil word aimpon) means “five metals.” Traditionally, this refers to a sacred alloy or mix of five metals: gold, silver, copper, zinc, and iron. This blend is believed to have positive energies and spiritual significance, and it’s used to create not only jewelry but also religious idols. In modern imitation jewelry, the term “Impon” is often used to describe high-quality pieces with a base metal (like copper or brass) that are then micro-plated with a layer of gold, mimicking the look and feel of a traditional Panchaloha piece.

Attikai: “Attikai” is a Tamil word that refers to a short necklace that sits snugly on the collarbone, similar to a choker.