Polki vs Kundan vs Diamond Jewellery
Polki, kundan and diamond jewellery are favourites for weddings and festivals. Knowing the difference helps you understand the price and choose the right look.
What is polki?
Polki jewellery uses natural, uncut diamonds in their raw form. They are not faceted like modern diamonds, so they have a soft, glowing look rather than a sharp sparkle. Polki is usually set in gold using traditional techniques, and it is one of the most valuable traditional styles because the stones are real diamonds.
What is kundan?
Kundan is a setting technique, not a stone. Thin gold foil is pressed around each stone to hold it in place. The stones in kundan jewellery are often glass or semi-precious stones, which makes kundan more affordable than polki while keeping a royal look.
What is diamond jewellery?
Modern diamond jewellery uses cut and polished diamonds with many facets that reflect light brightly. These pieces are usually set in 18K gold, which is strong enough to hold the stones securely. Diamonds are priced by the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
Side by side
| Polki | Kundan | Diamond | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stones | Natural uncut diamonds | Often glass or semi-precious | Cut natural or lab-grown diamonds |
| Look | Soft glow, vintage | Bold, colourful, royal | Bright sparkle, modern |
| Usual gold | 22K or 18K | 22K or lower | 18K or 14K |
| Price | High | Moderate | Depends on diamond quality |
Precious stone jewellery
Precious jewellery features rubies, emeralds and sapphires, often combined with gold, polki or diamonds. Ask for the stone type and weight to be written on the bill.
Tips before you buy
- Ask whether stones are natural, lab-grown, semi-precious or glass.
- Check that stone weight is deducted from gold weight on the bill.
- For diamonds, ask for a certificate for larger stones.
- Store polki and kundan pieces separately in soft cloth, away from perfume and water.
With SDG Gold Re:New you get 10% off diamond and stone charges on new jewellery (conditions apply).
Questions people ask
Is polki a real diamond?
Yes. Polki uses natural diamonds in their uncut form.
Is kundan made of diamonds?
Kundan is a setting technique. The stones are usually glass or semi-precious stones, not diamonds.
Which gold is used for diamond jewellery?
Diamond jewellery is usually made in 18K gold because it is strong enough to hold the stones securely.
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Vista Grand Tower, 4th Floor, Somajiguda, Hyderabad. Open every day, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm. Our team explains purity, weight and every charge line by line before you buy.
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