Traditional Indian Jewellery Types: Kundan, Polki, and Meenakari

Heritage Craftsmanship of Kundan

Kundan refers to highly refined, 24k pure gold foil that is packed around glass stones or gemstones to set them in place. The base structure is usually made of brass or copper, carved with recesses. The craft is incredibly time-consuming, requiring skilled artisans to lay gold foil layer by layer.

Heritage Craftsmanship of Polki

Polki uses the same setting technique as Kundan, but instead of glass stones, it features raw, uncut diamonds that are mined from the earth. Polki has a rustic, antique look because the diamonds are not polished or faceted. This gives the jewellery a heritage, heirloom quality that is highly prized for bridal wear.

The Colorful Art of Meenakari

Meenakari is the ancient art of enameling metal surfaces with brilliant colors like green, red, and blue. The design is etched into the gold or silver metal, filled with colored glass powder, and heated in a kiln to fuse it. Meenakari is often crafted onto the back of Kundan and Polki ornaments, making them beautiful and ornate on both sides.