Kundan Jewellery | Types, Real vs Artificial, Styling and Buying Guide

Walk into any Pakistani or Indian wedding in New Jersey and you will spot it within seconds. A glint of soft gold, a flash of ruby red or emerald green, stones that seem to glow from inside instead of sparkling from outside. That is kundan jewellery, and it has been the quiet star of South Asian weddings for centuries.

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The trouble is that most buyers meet it in the worst possible way. A tiny photo, a price that makes no sense, and a listing that calls everything kundan, from a family heirloom worth thousands to a lightweight gold tone set made last month. This guide fixes that. You will learn what kundan really is, how it differs from polki, what it costs, and how to match a set to your outfit.

What Is Kundan Jewellery?

Kundan jewellery is a traditional South Asian style in which gemstones or glass stones are set into a metal frame using thin sheets of highly refined gold foil instead of prongs. The word kundan means pure gold. The result is a flat, glowing surface of stones framed in soft gold, usually finished with colorful enamel on the back.

As the Wikipedia entry on kundan explains, the technique places gold foil between each stone and its mount, which is why kundan pieces feel so layered and solid compared with ordinary stone jewelry.

Here is the part sellers rarely tell you. Kundan is not a stone. It is the gold foil setting. When a listing says kundan stones, it usually means colored glass or synthetic stones set in that style. Knowing this one fact will clear up half the confusing product descriptions online.

A Short History of Kundan Jewellery

The craft is widely believed to have started in the royal courts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, then flourished under Mughal patronage. By the late sixteenth century, court goldsmiths were combining kundan setting with enamelling, a pairing that still defines the look today. Jaipur became the long standing center of the trade. Some sources claim it is over two thousand years old, but firm evidence is thin.

Over time, silver versions copied the gold originals and kundan reached ordinary families, not only royalty. Films like Jodhaa Akbar pushed it back into fashion. The Mughal courts that shaped kundan never recognized today's borders, which is exactly why a kundan set looks completely at home in a Pakistani bridal trousseau.

How Kundan Jewellery Is Made

Real handmade kundan is slow work. The artisan starts with a metal skeleton called the ghaat. Lac, a natural resin, is shaped into the frame through a step known as paadh. In the khudai stage, the stones are fitted. Meenakari enamel then decorates the back, which is why a well made piece looks beautiful from both sides. In pakai, strips of pure gold foil are pressed and burnished around each stone to lock it in. Finally, chillai polishes everything until it glows.

A single detailed piece can take weeks or even months. Factory made kundan style jewelry skips most of these steps, uses glued settings and relies on plating for the gold look. That explains the price gap you will see below.

Kundan vs Polki vs Jadau vs Meenakari

These four words get mixed up constantly, even by sellers. Think of it this way: jadau is the method, kundan is the foil setting, polki is a type of stone, and meenakari is the enamel decoration.

Polki is the expensive cousin. It uses uncut diamonds, so it costs far more and glows with a softer, grayer fire than the clean flash of glass. Kundan with glass or colored stones is the more accessible choice, and it photographs beautifully, which is why most brides and wedding guests wear it.

Types of Kundan Jewellery Worth Knowing

Kundan Necklace Sets and Indian Necklace Styles

The necklace is where kundan shines. A choker sits snug at the base of the neck and works with open necklines. A rani haar or long mala hangs to the chest and suits high collars. A gulu band is a flat collar style that suits heavy bridal outfits. Compared with a plain Indian necklace in simple gold, a kundan set carries color and weight, so it needs less around it. Our red Pakistani bridal necklace set is a good example of a statement piece you build the whole outfit around.

Kundan Bangles and Indian Bangles

Indian bangles are the easiest way into kundan. They are worn in pairs or small stacks, they photograph well at weddings, and they dress up even a simple suit. Rigid kundan bangles with floral medallions and pink or green accents are the most popular style. If you want to see the look in person, start with these polki kundan bangles. Just check your size first, and the size guide below will help.

Kundan Earrings and Jhumkas

Kundan jhumkas are the bell shaped earrings that make a heavy necklace look finished. Styles, weight and fit are covered in our jhumka earrings guide. If your necklace is big, keep your earrings smaller.

Real Kundan Jewellery vs Artificial Kundan: The Honest Truth

Real kundan uses a gold or silver frame, a lac core and hand set stones, finished with enamel on the back. Artificial kundan uses a base metal alloy with gold tone plating, glass or acrylic stones, and machine assisted settings. Both are legitimate. They simply serve different purposes.

Real kundan is an heirloom. You buy it for decades, you insure it, and you service it. Artificial kundan is outfit jewelry. You buy it for a wedding season, enjoy it, and replace it when your taste changes. The only dishonest version is the one that charges heirloom prices for outfit jewelry.

So let us be plain. The pieces in our artificial jewelry collection are gold tone artificial jewelry in kundan and polki style, and that is exactly how we describe them. Also note that jewelry is final sale at Rangreza, as explained in our return policy, so check the size and photos before ordering.

How to Judge Quality in Kundan Jewellery

Turn the piece over first. The back should be neat, whether that is enamel, clean metal or a smooth finish. A rough, unfinished back usually signals shortcuts. Next, look at the stones. In handmade pieces they vary slightly in shape and size, and perfect uniformity often points to machine assembly. Stones should sit flush and feel secure, never loose or crooked. Pick the piece up as well. Very light weight suggests a thin or hollow build. Finally, check clasps, hooks and edges for rough spots that could snag your dupatta or irritate your skin.

Kundan Jewelry Sets for Women: How to Match Your Outfit

Match the Color, Not Just the Gold

Pick one hero color from your outfit and echo it in the stones. A maroon or red bridal outfit loves green and red stones. Pastels suit pink, white and mint. Black velvet looks sharp with gold and emerald, which is why our black velvet dress guide pairs so well with a kundan choker. If your dress is already heavily embroidered, choose a set with fewer colors, not more.

Match the Neckline

Open and scoop necklines suit chokers. Closed collars and high necks suit long malas. Dense embroidery near the neck fights a choker, so choose a pendant instead.

Matching Kundan Jewelry Sets to Pakistani Wedding Events

Mehndi calls for lighter, more colorful pieces. Barat and Nikah are the moment for the full set with necklace, earrings, tikka and bangles, worn with our Pakistani wedding dresses. Walima usually asks for something softer. If you are a bride planning looks across several events, our dholki outfits guide helps, and you can book a bridal appointment to try outfits and jewelry together in Edison.

Indian Jewelry for Women: Wearing Kundan Beyond Weddings

Most women buy kundan for one wedding and then let it sit in a drawer. That is a waste. The trick is to wear one statement piece and keep everything else quiet. Kundan jhumkas with a printed lawn suit look effortless. A stack of Indian bangles lifts a plain kurta. A single kundan choker over a plain black dress feels modern, not costumey.

Festive occasions are the sweet spot. Our guide to Diwali outfits for puja and celebrations shows what to wear it with, and simple party wear dresses suit a kundan set well. A plain dupatta or shawl lets a statement necklace breathe.

Indian Bangles Size Guide

Indian bangle sizes run in eighth inch steps and refer to the inner diameter. Size 2.2 is about 2 and 1/4 inches, 2.4 is about 2 and 1/2, 2.6 is about 2 and 3/4, 2.8 is about 3, and 2.10 is about 3 and 1/4 inches. Most adult women wear somewhere between 2.4 and 2.8.

To measure, tuck your thumb against your palm and wrap a string around the widest part of your hand. Divide the length by 3.14 for a rough diameter, then compare it with the chart. Better still, measure the inside of a bangle that already fits you. If you land between two sizes, go up. A rigid bangle forced over your hand can damage the setting and your wrist.

How to Care for Kundan Jewellery

Put it on last and take it off first. Perfume, hairspray, lotion and water attack the setting, and heat or moisture can weaken lac in traditional pieces. Wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth, store it in a dry pouch away from other jewelry, and skip ultrasonic cleaners. If a real kundan piece loosens, take it to a jeweler who knows the craft.

How Much Does Kundan Jewellery Cost?

Prices split into three tiers. Real gold kundan or jadau work can run into thousands of dollars, and polki sets go far higher. Silver based, gold plated kundan sits in the hundreds. Artificial gold tone kundan style jewelry is priced in the tens of dollars. Here is exactly what our jewelry collection costs right now, so you can plan your budget before you shop.

Prices were checked on November 14, 2026, and each listing page shows what is included, so read it before you order. Notice the pattern: every bangle sits between about fifty seven and sixty dollars, so your choice comes down to look and size, not budget. The necklace set is the anchor purchase. One bangle plus the necklace set comes to $146.98 at the lowest price, just under our free shipping mark, so adding one more item takes you past one hundred fifty dollars and shipping is free across the USA.

Whatever tier you shop in, ask the seller one question: what is the base metal and what are the stones? If they cannot answer clearly, walk away.

Where to Buy Kundan Jewelry in the USA: Local Store vs Importing

Almost every guide ranking for this topic assumes you live in India. If you live in the United States, buying kundan jewelry is a different decision. You can import from Pakistan or India, or buy from a US based store. Each route trades off differently.

Be honest about what you want. If you are after a real gold or polki heirloom, a trusted jeweler in India or Pakistan is still the right call. If you need a set for a wedding in three weeks, local wins on speed, no customs surprises and the chance to see the piece in person.

Orders are processed within 24 hours, and free UPS or USPS Ground shipping applies on US orders over $150, as laid out in our shipping policy. Our Edison store at 137 NJ 27 is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm, and closed on Monday. Not sure about a size? Message us on WhatsApp or call (732) 762 5425 before you order. You can also reach us through the contact page.

A Note on Wearing South Asian Jewelry Respectfully

If you are not South Asian, kundan is still for you, especially at weddings and festivals where guests are invited to dress up. Just treat it as heritage jewelry, not a costume. Learn what each piece is called and enjoy it.

Kundan Jewellery FAQs

What is kundan jewellery made of?

Kundan jewellery is made from a metal frame, traditionally gold or silver, with a lac resin core and glass, gem or polki stones held in place by pure gold foil. The back is usually decorated with enamel called meenakari. Artificial versions use alloy and plating instead of gold.

What is the difference between kundan and polki?

Kundan is the gold foil setting technique and usually holds glass or colored stones. Polki refers to uncut natural diamonds, often set using the same foil method. Polki costs far more and glows softer, while kundan glass looks brighter and cleaner. Jadau is the overall craft that covers both.

Is kundan jewellery real gold?

Only sometimes. Traditional kundan jewellery uses gold foil and gold or silver frames. Much of today's kundan jewelry is artificial, with gold tone plating over alloy. Ask the seller about the base metal and stones, because the name kundan alone does not guarantee real gold.

How do you wear kundan jewelry sets for women?

Pick one hero color from your outfit and match the stones. Wear a choker with open necklines and a long mala with closed collars. Keep earrings smaller when the necklace is bold, and add bangles last. For everyday wear, choose one statement piece only.

How do you clean kundan jewellery?

Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after each wear and store it in a dry pouch. Avoid water, perfume, hairspray and harsh cleaners, because moisture and chemicals weaken settings and plating. Put kundan on last when dressing and remove it first when you get home.

What size Indian bangle should I buy?

Most adult women wear size 2.4, 2.6 or 2.8. Measure the widest part of your hand with your thumb tucked in, or the inside of a bangle that already fits. If you fall between sizes, choose the larger one to avoid stressing the setting.

Ready to try the look? Browse our full Pakistani and Indian artificial jewelry collection online or visit the store in Edison, NJ, and see each piece against your outfit before you decide.