What Is Kundan Jewellery? History & Origins

Kundan jewellery is one of India's oldest and most prestigious jewellery traditions, with a history spanning over 2,500 years. The word kundan comes from Sanskrit — meaning "pure gold." In the kundan technique, highly refined gold (24-carat purity) is beaten into ultra-thin foil and used to set precious or semi-precious gemstones into a jewellery piece using a refined wax called lac as the bedding medium.

The tradition flourished under the Mughal Empire (16th–17th century CE), where the royal courts of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur employed master kundan artisans to create spectacular pieces for emperors and their courts. Rajasthan — particularly Jaipur — became and remains the global capital of kundan jewellery craftsmanship.

The South Indian Fusion: Temple Kundan Jewellery

South India added its own layer to the kundan tradition. As Mughal trade routes met Dravidian temple culture, artisan guilds in Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam, and Thanjavur began setting kundan stones into traditional South Indian temple jewellery — mounting vibrant red, green, and peacock-blue kundan stones into pieces featuring Goddess Laxmi, the Hamsa sacred swan, and blooming lotus motifs.

This fusion created temple kundan jewellery — the most distinctive and celebrated style in South Indian bridal jewellery today. It carries the spiritual depth of Dravidian temple art with the opulence of Mughal stone-setting craftsmanship.

South Temple Jewellery has built its entire collection on this tradition. Every temple jewellery set in our collection features authentic deity motifs with vibrant kundan-style stone accents, crafted from 1-gram gold-plated metal for lasting beauty at an accessible price.

Kundan vs Polki vs Temple Jewellery — Key Differences

Best of both worlds: South Temple Jewellery's collection fuses kundan stone-setting technique with South Indian temple motifs — giving you the opulence of kundan at the accessibility of 1-gram gold-plated temple jewellery.

7 Types of Kundan Jewellery Sets You Need to Know

Browse all types: Full Temple Kundan Collection → | Long Necklace Sets → | Bridal Sets →

5-Point Buying Guide: What to Check Before You Buy Kundan Jewellery

1. Plating Grade — Minimum 1-Gram Gold

The most common disappointment with online kundan jewellery is poor plating — pieces sold as "gold kundan" that use flash plating (micron-thin gold, often less than 0.1 grams) that fades within weeks. Insist on confirmed 1-gram gold plating. South Temple Jewellery applies a full 1 gram of 24-carat gold electroplating, documented and backed by warranty.

2. Stone Quality — Colour Saturation & Setting Security

In kundan jewellery, the stone is everything. Check product photos for deep, saturated stone colour — washed-out or pale stones indicate cheap filler material. Also look at the stone border: a well-set kundan stone has a clean, even gold-foil rim around it with no gaps. A stone with a rough or uneven border will fall out with regular wear.

3. Written Warranty — The Non-Negotiable

Any brand confident in its quality puts it in writing. South Temple Jewellery is the only brand in the 1-gram gold-plated kundan segment with a documented written 1-year warranty. If a brand only offers verbal or chat-based warranty assurances, that is not a warranty — it is unenforceable goodwill.

4. GST Invoice from a Registered Seller

A GST invoice is your proof of purchase and your legal recourse. South Temple Jewellery is GST registered: GSTIN 27ABTCS2532E1Z6. Every order includes a GST invoice on request. Buying from unregistered sellers means no invoice, no legal recourse, and no warranty enforcement.

5. Authenticity of Motif — Cast vs Stamped

Temple kundan pieces should have three-dimensional carved deity motifs produced by traditional lost-wax (cire perdue) casting. In photos, this reads as clear depth and shadow in the carving — you can see the Laxmi figure has dimension, not a flat printed impression. Machine-stamped motifs look flat and blurry. South Temple Jewellery uses only cast temple motifs.

Kundan Jewellery Price Guide 2026 — All Categories

Top 6 Kundan Jewellery Sets at South Temple Jewellery

Every pick below is available at southtemplejewellery.com. All carry the written 1-year warranty and ship pan-India for free.

Styling Guide: Kundan for Bridal, Saree, Lehenga & Festive

Kundan Jewellery for South Indian Bridal

The classic South Indian bridal kundan look: a long temple kundan necklace set as the centrepiece, layered with a shorter kundan choker, matching jhumka earrings, a kundan maang tikka, and paired gold kadas. Deep red and peacock blue kundan stones on a Laxmi motif base are the most auspicious South Indian bridal combination.

Kundan Jewellery Set for Saree

For silk and kanjivaram sarees: a short kundan necklace with a statement pendant and matching jhumkas. The rule is to match the dominant stone colour to the saree's border or pallu colour — deep red stones for red/maroon sarees, green stones for green/peacock sarees, blue stones for navy/royal blue. Avoid heavy layer necklaces with lightweight georgette or chiffon — a single strand or choker reads better.

Kundan Jewellery for Lehenga Choli

Lehenga calls for a full statement: a heavy kundan long necklace set (K-1226) as the centrepiece with the complete bridal set. Add the kamarbandh (waist chain) for the full South Indian bridal look.

Kundan Jewellery for Navratri & Festive Occasions

Navratri, Pongal, Diwali, Ugadi, Onam — for festive wear, a kundan necklace set with matching jhumkas is the one combination that works for all 9 nights, all saree colours, and all South Indian regional occasions. South Temple Jewellery's traditional kundan sets (Rs.1,999–Rs.3,599) are the most popular festive pick.

What Our Customers Say

Kundan Jewellery Care Guide: 5 Rules to Make It Last

1. Never submerge in water — the lac wax setting in kundan stones loosens with prolonged water exposure. Remove before bathing, dishes, or swimming.
2. Perfume and hairspray before wearing — chemical residue from sprays strips both the gold plating and the stone settings. Always apply, let dry, then wear.
3. Store in individual soft pouches — kundan stones scratch each other and scratch the gold surface. Never store kundan pieces loose together.
4. Wipe after every wear — a soft, dry cotton cloth removes sweat and skin oil that oxidise the gold surface. 30 seconds after removing saves months of life.
5. No sleeping in heavy kundan — the pressure of sleeping in a necklace or earring set can dislodge kundan stone settings. Remove and pouch every night.

Frequently Asked Questions — Kundan Jewellery

Q: What is kundan jewellery?
Traditional Indian jewellery where gemstones are set in refined gold foil using lac wax — originating in Rajasthan, fused with South Indian temple motifs at South Temple Jewellery. 1-gram gold-plated temple kundan sets start from Rs.999.

Q: What is the difference between kundan jewellery and polki jewellery?
Kundan uses glass or gemstones set in gold foil. Polki uses uncut raw diamonds. Kundan is more affordable — Rs.999–Rs.4,599 for 1-gram plated versus Rs.50,000+ for polki. Both are Mughal-origin traditions.

Q: What are the top 5 types of kundan jewellery sets?
(1) Kundan necklace set + jhumkas; (2) Kundan long necklace set; (3) Full kundan bridal set; (4) Kundan jewellery set for saree; (5) Traditional temple kundan set with deity motifs.

Q: What is the price of kundan jewellery in India 2026?
1-gram gold-plated: Rs.999–Rs.4,599 (South Temple Jewellery). Gold-filled: Rs.8,000–Rs.25,000. Solid gold kundan: Rs.80,000–Rs.5,00,000+. Best value: the 1-gram gold-plated category.

Q: Is kundan jewellery good for bridal wear?
Yes — one of India's most popular bridal jewellery traditions. South Indian, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Bengali brides all wear kundan. South Temple Jewellery's bridal sets carry a written 1-year warranty.

Q: Which kundan jewellery is best for saree?
A kundan choker or short necklace for silk sarees; a long kundan necklace for georgette or chiffon. Match stone colour to the saree's border or pallu.

Q: What kundan jewellery suits a lehenga choli?
A heavy long kundan necklace + matching earrings + maang tikka + kamarbandh for the full bridal look. South Temple Jewellery's K-1226 and K-822 are the top picks for lehenga bridal styling.

Q: How do I care for kundan jewellery at home?
Remove before water. Perfume before wearing. Store in individual soft pouches. Wipe with dry cloth after wearing. No sleeping in heavy kundan pieces. Follow all 5 care rules for 2–3 year life.

Q: Can I wear kundan jewellery daily?
Light pieces — small studs or a delicate pendant — yes. Heavy necklace sets and bridal kundan: reserve for occasions to protect the stone settings and plating.

Q: Is South Temple Jewellery GST registered?
Yes. GSTIN: 27ABTCS2532E1Z6. GST invoices on request with every order. Address: Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.

Q: Which cities does South Temple Jewellery deliver kundan jewellery to?
Pan-India — Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Jaipur, Kochi, Coimbatore, Madurai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad. Free delivery in 3–7 business days.

Q: What is the return policy for kundan jewellery?
Written 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. WhatsApp +91 85915 36918 within 7 days of delivery with order number and photo for exchange or repair.

South Temple Jewellery Pvt Ltd | GSTIN: 27ABTCS2532E1Z6 | Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra | Instagram | WhatsApp +91 85915 36918