How to Check the Quality of a Jadau Kundan Necklace Before You Buy

Okay, so you are looking at a Jadau Kundan necklace online. The photos look amazing. The price seems fine. And you are about two seconds away from placing the order.

Stop for a moment. Because here is the thing — Jadau Kundan necklaces all look similar in photos. A really well-made one and a poorly made one can look almost identical on a screen. The difference only shows up when you actually hold the piece in your hands. And by then, you have already paid.

So before that happens, here is what you actually need to check.

The Base Metal Is the First Thing to Ask About

Every Jadau Kundan necklace is built on a base metal. That base is what holds everything together: the stones, the pearl hangings, the entire structure of the piece. And the quality of that base tells you a lot about how long the necklace is going to last.

Most good-quality pieces use brass or copper as the base. Both are solid, durable, and work well for traditional Jadau work. On top of that base, there should be a gold polish, and 22 carat is the standard you want to look for.

Kanshi Jewels, for example, is very upfront about this. Their Jadau Kundan necklaces are handcrafted on a brass and copper base with 1 gram 22 carat gold polish. That kind of transparency is exactly what you want from a seller.

What you are checking here:

  • Is the base brass or copper — both are fine, anything thinner or cheaper is not

  • Is the gold polish 22 carat or higher

  • Does the surface look even and uniform, or are there patchy spots

  • Any visible dark areas or discolouration already showing up in photos

If the seller cannot answer basic questions about the base metal, just move on.

Look Very Carefully at the Stone Settings

This is the most important part of any Jadau Kundan necklace. The Kundan setting is what makes this style unique — stones are set into the gold framework without prongs, just the metal folded tightly around each stone. When done right, it looks seamless and beautiful. When done badly, it falls apart fast.

A good setting means every stone sits flush, stable, and even. Nothing wobbles. Nothing looks like it is about to pop out. There are no gaps between the stone and the metal around it. And absolutely no glue marks anywhere.

Bad settings are easy to spot once you know what to look for:

  • Some stones sit higher than others

  • Visible gaps around the edges of the stones

  • Glue residue is showing up around the stone frames

  • Stones that look slightly tilted or off-center

If you are buying in person, gently run a finger across the surface. It should feel smooth and even. Nothing should shift or make a sound when you do that.

The Pearls and Beads Tell You a Lot

Almost every Jadau Kundan necklace comes with freshwater pearl or bead hangings. And those pearls are actually a really easy way to judge the overall quality of a piece.

Real freshwater pearls are never perfectly identical. They have slight variations in shape, size, and the way they catch light. That natural imperfection is what makes them real. If every single pearl looks exactly the same — same size, same shape, same plastic-like shine — those are not real pearls.

Kanshi Jewels uses real freshwater pearls, and they actually mention in their product descriptions that the shape and colour of pearls vary naturally. That is a seller being honest with you.

Check these things specifically:

  • Do the pearls look slightly different from each other or suspiciously identical

  • Do they have a natural soft lustre or a harsh synthetic shine

  • Are the strings clean and properly knotted between each pearl

  • Do the hangings fall evenly, or do they tangle up easily

Zoom Into the Craftsmanship

Jadau work is entirely done by hand. Skilled artisans spend days on a single piece. That time and effort show up in the small details - and so does the lack of it.

Zoom into every product photo you can find. Look at the back of the piece if photos are available. The back usually has Meenakari enamel work, and that is where shortcuts show up first.

Good craftsmanship looks like:

  • Meenakari enamel that is clean, vibrant, and consistent on the reverse side

  • Stone settings that are precise with no rough or jagged edges

  • Symmetry across both sides of the necklace design

  • Clean joins where different sections of the necklace connect

Rushed or machine-assisted pieces usually have uneven enamel, messy edges around stones, and designs that do not quite match up on both sides.

Weight Is a Real Indicator

Pick it up if you can. Or ask about the weight if you are buying online. A genuine Jadau Kundan necklace has real weight to it. The brass base, the stones, the pearls - all of it adds up. Something that feels too light and flimsy is usually a sign of very thin base metal or stones that are barely set properly.

Customer reviews are gold here. Real buyers almost always comment on how the piece felt when it arrived. If multiple people are saying it felt cheap or lightweight, that tells you something the product photos never will.

Browse the Jadau Kundan necklace collection at Kanshi Jewels - the material details are clearly mentioned for each piece, which makes it much easier to buy with confidence.

FAQs

Q1. What base metal should a good Jadau Kundan necklace have? 

Brass or copper with 22-carat gold polish is the standard. Any seller worth buying from will tell you this upfront without you having to dig for it.

Q2. The pearls in my necklace are slightly different sizes — is that okay? 

Yes, that is actually a good sign. Real freshwater pearls always vary slightly. Perfectly identical pearls are usually synthetic.

Q3. How do I store a Jadau Kundan necklace properly? 

Keep it in a soft cloth pouch. Away from moisture, perfume, and direct sunlight. Do not toss it in a drawer with other jewellery — the stones can scratch.

Q4. What is the difference between real Kundan and glass Kundan? 

Real Kundan uses uncut gemstones. Glass Kundan uses glass pieces that look similar. Both exist in traditional jewellery - just ask the seller clearly which one you are buying.

Q5. How do I clean a Jadau Kundan necklace without damaging it? 

Soft dry cloth only. No water, no chemical cleaners, no ultrasonic machines. If it needs a deeper clean, take it to a jeweller who knows Kundan work.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for kundan jewellery styling tips, latest trends, and easy guides to enhance your traditional look.

Back to News