This Question Comes Up Every Wedding Season

Every bride goes through this. You walk into a jewellery shop. You see two sets that look almost same. One is polki. One is kundan. And you have no idea which one to pick. Your mom says one thing. The shopkeeper says something else. It gets confusing fast.

And honestly, nobody really explains it properly. They just say "polki is better" or "kundan is cheaper" and leave it at that. But you need to know the real difference between polki and kundan jewellery before spending your hard earned money. So let me explain it the way I would explain to my own sister. Simple and straight.

Polki Jewellery – The Real Diamond One

Polki  Jewellery is made with real diamonds. But wait. These are not the shiny diamonds you see in rings. Polki diamonds are raw. Uncut. Nobody has shaped them or polished them. They are flat and natural. Just the way they come from the earth.

This is old jewellery. Like really old. Mughal queens used to wear polki Jewellery. That should give you an idea of how royal it looks. The diamonds sit on gold foil from behind. That gold foil gives polki a warm soft glow. Not a sharp sparkle. More like a gentle shine. In wedding photos it looks so good you won't believe.

Now the price. Polki is expensive. No way around it. You are paying for real diamonds and real gold. A decent polki set starts from a few lakhs. Heavy bridal sets can go into crores. But the thing is, polki holds value. Your grandmother's polki set still looks beautiful today. That says something.

Kundan Jewellery – Looks Rich But Costs Less

Kundan looks a lot like polki. That is where all the confusion starts. But kundan does not use real diamonds. It uses glass stones. Sometimes synthetic stones. The stones are set in gold or gold plated metal. Behind the stones there is lac. Lac is a kind of resin that holds everything together.

The best part about kundan? Price. It is way cheaper than polki. You can buy a full kundan bridal set and still have budget left for other functions. Mehendi set, sangeet set, reception set. You can get all of them in kundan without burning a hole in your pocket.

And do not think kundan looks cheap. It does not. The work on kundan jewellery is very fine. Rajasthani craftsmen make these pieces by hand. Jaipur is famous for this. The detailing is amazing. You really cannot tell the difference just by looking at it from a distance.

The Real Difference Between Polki and Kundan Jewellery

Okay so here it is. Plain and simple.

The stone is the main difference between polki and kundan jewellery. Polki has real uncut diamonds inside. Kundan has glass stones inside. The setting style looks similar. The gold work looks similar. But the stone is different. That is the biggest thing.

Weight is another difference. Polki is heavy. Because real diamonds and thick gold. Kundan is lighter. Much lighter actually. If you have to wear jewellery for 5-6 hours at a wedding function then kundan is more comfortable. Trust me on this. Heavy jewellery sounds nice until you are wearing it for the whole night.

The glow is different too. Polki gives a soft warm shine. Very subtle. Very classy. Kundan shines more because glass catches light differently. In evening functions where there is a lot of lighting, kundan stands out more.

And price. Obviously polki costs much more. Kundan gives a similar traditional look at half the price. Or even less. At Omsonsbridalstore many brides are doing this smart thing now. They buy polki for the main wedding day and kundan for other functions. Best of both honestly.

What Should a Bride Pick?

Depends on you. There is no right or wrong here.

If your family has good budget and you want jewellery that stays in the family for years then polki is the answer. Real diamonds do not lose value. Your mom can pass her polki set to you. You can pass it to your daughter. It becomes a family thing. Very emotional actually. Kundan cannot do that because glass stones have no resale value.

But if you want to look different at every function then go for a mix. One good polki set for the wedding day. Kundan sets for mehendi and sangeet and reception. This way you get variety. You look amazing everywhere. And your budget stays in control.

One more thing. Think about your bridal chura also. Punjabi brides and North Indian brides usually pair their chura with kundan kalire and a polki necklace. This combination is very very popular and it looks stunning. At Omsonsbridalstore you will find bridal chura sets that go nicely with both polki and kundan jewellery. So you do not have to run to ten different shops for matching.

How to Tell if Your Jewellery is Polki or Kundan

This is something every woman should know. Especially before buying.

Turn the jewellery and look at the back. Polki will have gold foil behind the stones. The stones will look slightly uneven. Because they are natural diamonds. Each stone looks a little different from the other. That is normal and actually a good sign.

Kundan will have lac behind the stones. The stones will look smooth and even. All stones will have similar shape and size. Very uniform.

Also pick it up. Feel the weight. Polki is noticeably heavy. If someone tells you it is polki but the piece feels light then be careful. Something is off. Always buy from a trusted shop. Once you know these small things the difference between polki and kundan jewellery becomes very easy to spot.

Take Care of Your Jewellery

Does not matter if you bought polki or kundan. Take care of it properly.

Polki should be kept in a soft cloth pouch. Keep it away from water. Away from moisture. To clean it just use a soft dry cloth. Do not use soap. Do not use any chemical. Simple.

Kundan needs a little more care. The lac at the back can get weak if it gets hot. So keep kundan away from direct sunlight. Away from hot places. Do not spray perfume directly on it. To clean just wipe gently with soft cloth.

And once a year take your jewellery to a jeweller for checking. If any stone is getting loose they can fix it early. Better to fix now than to lose a stone later.

Last Words

Both polki and kundan are beautiful. Both have their place. The difference between polki and kundan jewellery is mainly the stone, the weight and the price. Neither one is better than the other. They just fit different needs and different budgets.

Pick what feels right for you. Pick what makes you smile when you look in the mirror. That is all that matters on your wedding day.

And if you are starting your wedding shopping then do check Omsonsbridalstore for bridal chura, kalire and jewellery sets. They have options that go well with polki and kundan both. Happy shopping and congratulations for the wedding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is polki more expensive than kundan?

Yes it is. Polki has real uncut diamonds so it costs more. Kundan has glass stones so it is much cheaper. Same looking set in polki can cost 5 to 10 times more than kundan. Both look beautiful though. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

Can I wear kundan jewellery daily?

Not a good idea honestly. Kundan is made for occasions. The lac behind the stones gets weak with sweat and water. Daily wear will damage it fast. For everyday use just wear simple gold studs or small diamond earrings. Save kundan for weddings and festivals.

How do I check if jewellery is polki or kundan?

Turn it around and look at the back. Polki has gold foil. Kundan has lac or resin. Polki stones look uneven and natural. Kundan stones look smooth and same shaped. Polki is also heavier in weight. These small checks are enough to tell the difference.

Which one looks better with bridal lehenga?

Both look great honestly. Polki gives a heavy royal look. Perfect for wedding day. Kundan gives a bright shiny look. Great for sangeet and reception. Many brides wear polki at the main wedding and kundan at other functions. Both suit lehengas very well.

Does polki jewellery have resale value?

Yes polki has good resale value because it has real diamonds and pure gold. Kundan does not have much resale value because glass stones are not worth anything. If you think of jewellery as long term investment then polki is the better choice.