Walk into any bridal jewellery showroom in Mississauga and you'll hear "kundan" and "polki" used almost interchangeably. They're not the same. The two represent distinct heritage techniques with different origins, materials, looks and prices. For brides choosing between them, here's what actually matters.
What Is Kundan?
Kundan is an ancient Indian technique that originated in royal courts — specifically the workshops of Rajasthan and Gujarat, refined by Mughal patronage. The technique involves setting glass, refined gemstones or coloured stones into pure 22k gold using thin foils of gold called "kundan." The result is a bright, polished, highly reflective finish. Kundan pieces tend to look new and luminous — almost mirror-bright in their gold borders.
What Is Polki?
Polki is older — and uses uncut, natural diamonds (or, in modern budget pieces, quartz crystals) set into 22k gold. Because the diamonds are uncut, polki has a softer, more antique, "vintage royal" look. The stones don't sparkle the way modern cut diamonds do; they glow. Polki sets are heavier, more textured, and typically more expensive than equivalent kundan due to the diamond content.
The Visual Difference
The fastest way to tell them apart in person: look at the stones. Kundan stones are flat, polished, glassy. Polki stones look raw, uneven, with the natural facets of uncut diamond. Kundan often features bright colours (red, green, blue, white). Polki is usually monochrome — uncut diamonds set against rich 22k gold, sometimes with meenakari (enamel) on the back of the piece.
Cost & When to Choose Each
Polki is typically 2–4x the price of comparable kundan because of the natural diamonds involved. For a complete bridal set, polki can run significantly higher. Kundan offers a similar bright, royal look at a more accessible price point — and many brides choose kundan for the wedding day itself, then a smaller polki piece (a tikka or earrings) as a long-term heirloom.
Which Is Right for You?
If you want maximum brightness and statement colour for the wedding day, kundan delivers. If you want something with quiet richness that feels like a family heirloom from day one — and you have the budget — polki is the choice. Many of our brides at Sony Jewellers do both: a primary kundan set for the wedding, a polki piece for the engagement or reception.
See both techniques side by side in our Mississauga showroom. Our jewellers can guide you through the differences in person. View bridal collections →