How to Check the Purity of Gold Polish on a Kundan Wedding Jewellery Set
You spent weeks searching. You finally found a Kundan wedding jewellery set that made you stop scrolling. The necklace is everything. The earrings are perfect. The whole set just looks like it was made for you.
And then your mother asks, "But is the gold polish good?" Suddenly, you have no answer. Because nobody really tells you this part. Everyone talks about the design, the stones, the weight. Nobody talks about the polish quality until the set starts fading or your neck turns green after a function.
So before you finalise your Kundan wedding jewellery set, take ten minutes to read this. It will save you from a very expensive mistake.
Why the Gold Polish Quality Actually Matters
A Kundan wedding jewellery set is not a small purchase. You are buying it for weddings, engagements, big family occasions - the kind of events that get photographed and remembered.
You need the set to look good. Not just on day one, but every single time you wear it.
Bad gold polish will do this to you:
- Start fading after just two or three uses
- Leave green or black marks on your skin and neck
- Make the whole set look old and dull way too soon
- Cost you again when you have to get it re-polished
Good gold polish does the opposite. It stays bright, sits well on the skin, and your set keeps looking like new for years. The difference between the two comes down entirely to what kind of polish was used and how thick it was applied.
What Does Gold Polish on Kundan Jewellery Actually Mean?
Quick background, because this helps.
Kundan jewellery is made on a base of lac or metal. Over this base, gold foil or gold polish is applied to get that deep, warm golden finish. The stones are then carefully set using refined gold or gold-plated wire pressed around them.
The quality of this polish is measured in karats. A good Kundan wedding jewellery set will use 22 karat or 24 karat gold polish. The lower quality pieces use thin gold-plated coatings that look fine in the shop but start coming off very quickly after that.
Simple Ways to Check Gold Polish Purity Before You Buy
1. Look for the BIS Hallmark
This is the single most reliable thing you can check. A BIS hallmark on the piece confirms that the gold has been tested and certified. Look for:
- The BIS logo
- The karat value — 22K or 24K
- The year of hallmarking
- The jeweller's unique identification mark
No hallmark? Or the seller suddenly gets very busy when you ask about it? Walk away.
2. Try the Skin Test
If you are buying from a physical store, request to wear the piece for a little while. After some time, check the skin underneath. Good quality gold polish on a Kundan wedding jewellery set will not leave any marks at all. Green or dark patches on the skin mean the polish is thin and the base metal underneath is reacting.
Not every store will allow this, but a confident seller with quality stock usually will.
3. Do the Magnet Test
This one is easy and you can do it anywhere. Just bring a small magnet close to the jewellery. Gold has no magnetic properties at all. So if the piece even slightly moves toward the magnet, the base metal is iron or a cheap alloy — which means the gold on top is barely there.
A proper Kundan wedding jewellery set will not react to the magnet at all.
4. Ask for the Acid Test
This is something jewellers do professionally. A tiny drop of nitric acid is placed on the surface of the piece. Real gold does not react to it. If the spot turns green or dark, the gold content is very low or the polish is not real at all.
You would not do this yourself, but you can absolutely ask a trusted jeweller to do it for you if you have any doubts about a piece.
5. Just Use Your Eyes
Seriously, a careful visual check tells you more than you think. Go through the set and ask yourself:
- Is the gold colour consistent all the way through, including the back?
- Are there any dull or patchy spots, especially near the edges?
- Does the polish look thick and deep, or does it look thin and almost silvery?
- Are the Kundan stones sitting neatly, or are there gaps and loose areas?
Patchy colour, thin edges, and uneven stonework are all signs of rushed, low-quality finishing.
Questions You Should Ask the Seller
Do not hesitate to ask. A jeweller who stands behind their product will answer everything without blinking. Ask them:
- What karat gold polish is used on this set?
- Does the set have a BIS hallmark?
- What is the base metal - brass, copper, or silver?
- If it is plated, how many microns is the gold coating?
- Is the polishing done in-house or sent out?
A seller who fumbles, changes the subject, or gives you vague answers about a Kundan wedding jewellery set is probably not selling you the quality they are claiming.
Taking Care of the Polish After You Buy
Even the best gold polish needs a little looking after. These small habits make a real difference:
- Store each piece in a soft cloth pouch, away from other jewellery
- Keep it far from perfume, sweat, and water
- After every wear, wipe it down gently with a soft dry cloth
- Do not sleep or exercise while wearing it
- Every couple of years, get it re-polished by a professional
The Bottom Line
When you are buying a Kundan wedding jewellery set, the design gets all the attention. But the gold polish is what decides how long that set actually stays beautiful. A few simple checks before you buy — the hallmark, the magnet test, a careful visual inspection — and you will know exactly what you are getting.
Ask the right questions. Trust your eyes. And do not let anyone rush you into a purchase this big.
Explore our latest collection of beautifully crafted Kundan wedding jewellery sets perfect for brides, weddings, and festive occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I know if the gold polish on my Kundan set is real?
Check for a BIS hallmark first. Then do the magnet test — real gold does not get attracted to a magnet at all.
Q2. Why is my Kundan jewellery leaving green marks on my skin?
The base metal is reacting with your skin. That happens when the gold polish is too thin or low quality, and the metal underneath starts showing through.
Q3. How long does gold polish last on a Kundan wedding jewellery set?
With proper care, good 22K or 24K polish easily lasts several years. Cheap plating starts going within a few uses.
Q4. Can faded gold polish be fixed?
Yes, most jewellers do re-polishing. It freshens the setup nicely, though it works much better when the base quality is solid to begin with.
Q5. Is it okay to wear a Kundan set every day?
Better to save it for occasions. Daily wear, sweat, and perfume speed up the fading a lot. The less you expose it, the longer it stays looking good.
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