India, Aug. 1 -- D o you instinctively twist your ring, move your bracelet or play with your pendant when anxious? Jewellery brands are turning that nervous habit into a fashion trend. Spinner rings, bracelets with movable beads and pendants designed to slow breathing are being marketed as "anti-anxiety jewellery" - discreet, wearable alternatives to fidget spinners and squishy toys. The trend recently received a social-media boost after a video by content creator Sarthak Ahuja crossed 1.2M views. Posted on July 18, it highlighted the growing popularity of tactile accessories and pointed out that even luxury maisons are experimenting with jewellery that moves. The interest reflects a larger shift towards accessories that are expected to do more than make a style statement. But can a ring or pendant really calm the mind? Psychologists say repetitive tactile movement may help ground some people and redirect nervous energy, though evidence specifically supporting "anti-anxiety jewellery" remains limited. For Ritu C, founder and designer of The Ethereal Store, the idea for the brand's Trey Ring, which features three dangling discs, came from her own habit of playing with jewellery. "I realised I was constantly playing with pieces in our existing collections that had coins or dangling elements. That got me thinking that maybe interacting with the jewellery should be the whole point," she says. Ritu says most buyers are working professionals in their late 20s and 30s who like the idea of "wearing something that's functional and looks good" rather than carrying a separate fidget toy. One customer, she recalls, said the ring had helped her pick at her skin less. The category is also finding echoes in luxury jewellery. Cartier's Clash de Cartier collection uses movable studs and flexible elements, while Messika's Move collection and select Piaget designs feature jewellery that shifts with the wearer. These collections are not marketed as mental health products, but underline the appeal of accessories that engage touch as well as sight. "Tactile jewellery isn't a medical solution, but it reflects a growing desire for pieces with purpose that offer a quiet moment of pause amid today's fast-paced world," says jewellery designer Neha Roongta. "There is a plausible psychological basis, although the evidence specifically for fidget jewellery remains limited," says Dr Amita Puri, clinical psychologist. She explains that repetitive tactile stimulation may shift attention away from intrusive thoughts and provide a grounding experience. "For some people, manipulating a ring or beads can serve a similar purpose" to sensory grounding exercises used during heightened emotional distress. However, Dr Puri cautions against treating these accessories as a solution to anxiety, and advises "seeking professional help as fidget rings can support coping; it cannot replace psychological therapy or, when clinically indicated, medication"....