Pure Pearls Glossary
Kundan
A setting technique where highly refined gold foil is pressed around stones to hold them, with no prongs or claws.
Kundan refers to the pure gold used, hammered into foil so soft it can be worked cold. Layers of it are packed around each stone until the stone is locked in place.
Because the technique needs no heat at the setting stage, it can hold uncut and fragile stones that a conventional setting would crack.
Jadau is the broader craft that kundan setting belongs to, and it typically combines kundan with meenakari enamel on the reverse.
When you are buying
Look at the reverse. Traditional kundan work is enamelled behind, and a plain or hollow back tells you the piece is a modern reproduction rather than jadau work.
Kundan and pachi pearl sets
48 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹2,500.
Pearl Jhumkas in Seed Pearls and Beautiful Real Kundans
Elegant String Of Cream Pearls With CZ Kundan Pendant
Dainty String Of Cream Pearls With Elegant Kundan Pendant
Cute String Of Cream Pearls With Elegant Kundan Pendant
Sleek String Of Oval White Pearls With Trinity Kundan Pendant
Adjustable Pearl bangles in white oval pearls and kundans
Adjustable Pearl bangles in white round pearls and kundans
Sleek String Of White Pearls Centered With Soulful Kundan Pendant
Read next
Polki
An uncut, unfaceted natural diamond, set face-up in kundan. Glows softly rather than sparkling.
Pachi
A kundan variant where stones are set into a lac-filled frame, giving a slightly raised, textured surface.
Meenakari
Coloured enamel fused into engraved metal, most often on the reverse of kundan jewellery.
Temple Jewellery
South Indian jewellery in a deity and motif vocabulary, originally made to adorn temple idols and now worn by dancers and brides.
Not sure what you are being sold?
Paste any pearl description — another shop’s listing, a message from a jeweller, an old certificate — and we will break it down term by term.