_Last updated: 25 June 2026_
Kundan ear adornments consist of glass or un-faceted stones surrounded by shimmering yellowish gold foils in a frame that provides them with an opulent appearance and reflective quality. Different varieties exist including studs, jhumki, chand bali, drop earrings, and chandelier earrings - appropriate to wear for a variety of events, including special moments such as weddings and holidays, and go perfectly with bridal and festive sarees or lehengas. Nuyug also has designed kundan style earrings made from light-weight material using tarnish free finishes, so they can be worn any time for celebrations or holidays.
What are kundan earrings?
Kundan earrings are created using glass and uncut stones that are placed in a gold foil frame, giving the earring a royal and shiny appearance.
The term "kundan" refers to a reflective style of high end jewellery created by fastening individual gems into a framed design and setting them against a gold-foil backing that holds each stone in place. This combination produces the lustrous, glass-like illumination of kundan jewellery, which has been cherished by Indian women through history, especially for wedding jewellery.
Let us start by discussing the type of materials used in traditional kundan jewellery versus that used at Nuyug. Traditional kundan is made from solid gold (with real stones) and therefore creates heavier pieces that are much more expensive than typical costume jewellery. On the other hand, Nuyug provides kundan-style earrings (gold plated, anti-tarnish finish, with uncut-look stones, AAA cubic zirconia, and pearls) at a price point for fashion jewellery that imitates the royal look of kundan, yet Nuyug does not make a claim that they are solid gold or real stone jewellery. For the full range of Nuyug's collections, check out this Nuyug earrings collection.
Kundan vs polki vs meenakari earrings - what's the difference?
Kundan, polki, and meenakari are often misidentified as being similar due to the fact that they are frequently used in conjunction on one particular item. To summarize:
- Kundan refers to glistening glass or other non-faceted gemstones being set into strips of gold;
- Polki refers to being set with rustic gemstones, such as naturally shaped diamonds;
- Meenakari refers to colourful enamel work fired onto the metal.
| Style | What it is | Look & feel |
|---|---|---|
| Kundan | Glass or uncut-look stones set in a gold-foil-look frame | Bright, mirror-clear sparkle; the classic regal bridal finish |
| Polki | Uncut, natural diamonds in their raw form | Soft, milky shine; rarer and far more valuable than kundan |
| Meenakari | Coloured enamel painted and fired onto the metal | Vivid reds, greens and blues, usually on the reverse or borders |
You can find a number of traditional types of earrings that combine the three different styles of earrings: a kundan or polki front style, a meenakari back style, and a mix of the two. Most cheap/affordable, non-tarnishing, created versions of the traditional styles are made from metal that is gold-plated, not solid gold, and created with simulated diamonds (as opposed to real diamonds).
What are the types of kundan earrings?
Kundan-style earring designs vary from simple and understated stud designs to bold and extravagant designs. Since the shape of the earring will determine the overall mood of an outfit, it is useful to understand how each type of earring will change your outfit is overall vibe. Below you will find some popular styles of kundan earrings that can be worn in many different ways.
Kundan stud earrings
Stud earrings with kundan can be found near your earlobe and usually contain one group of stones. They are very simple to put on, worn during the day or in the night, and seldom "take over" an outfit. If you are looking for kundan's shine but do not want a big pendant-type drop, stud earrings are a great place to begin and fit nicely under open hair or a dupatta.
Kundan jhumka
The Kundan Jhumka is an earring in the shape of a dome or bell that usually has a fringe made of small pearls or beads at the bottom edge. Jhumkas can be elegant, sophisticated, festive, and extremely traditional when worn with ethnic clothing. They can be found in both smaller everyday-size pieces and larger attention-getting styles.
Kundan chandbali
Chandbali earrings are shaped like a crescent moon, which is based on the concept of the half-moon (chand). They are very large and are typically worn over the ear with a jhumka or pearl dangling below the crescent. Since they are so grand, they are very popular with brides and sangeet outfits.
Kundan danglers
Danglers are drop-style linear earrings that hang freely from the lower lobe in a straight line. They can be worn with either authentic or fusion fashions because they are far less heavy than other types of earrings, such as jhumka and diamanté, which means they are less likely to appear out-of-place compared to other forms of earrings. The movement and fluidity of a dangler creates an elegant accent to your appearance without adding weight to your ears.
Kundan chandelier earrings
Chandelier earrings feature many tiers or branches similar to chandeliers. These types of earrings are the most dramatic style of kundan earrings and typically worn only for very special occasions, for example, a wedding reception. When wearing your hair back, chandelier earrings can act as a beautiful focal point.
How do you style kundan earrings with a saree or lehenga?
Kundan earrings will gleam more brightly when they complement your outfit instead of clashing or competing for attention from your other accessories. To keep one clear focal point rather than several competing centrepieces, follow these rules:
- Heavy garment, lighter ear accessories. When wearing an intricately designed Banarasi sari or a zari lehenga, opt for simple studs or small jhumkas so as not to overwhelm your overall appearance.
- Simple garment, bolder ear accessories. A plain or light-coloured saree creates the perfect background for bold chandelier or dangley chandbali earrings.
- Neckline appropriate earring size. Long dangley earrings or chandbalis are most appropriate with sleeveless tops or low-cut necklines, while small studs or compact jhumkas are better suited to tops with high necklines.
- Do not wear heavy necklaces. Wear one statement piece only. Large earrings may look more elegant when worn with only a maang tikka as opposed to wearing an entire set of earrings and necklace.
- Keep hair pulled back for impact. Hair tied back allows chandbalis and chandelier earrings to shine and beautifully frame the face.
Are kundan earrings heavy or comfortable?
The material determines how heavy Kundan is. When using genuine stones to make traditional solid golden Kundan jewellery, large chandelier or chandbali styles worn for long periods (like several hours) can be very heavy/weighty on your ear(s).
Typically, Fashion kundan style earrings are much lighter than other types of earrings because they use gold plated alloys and light authentic uncut style stones rather than solid gold and natural gemstones. The best fashion earring designs are constructed to be comfortable even during long periods/celebrations, have a lightweight design and secure backings, and include a warranty for the plating. When selecting large statement pairs, seek out designs that have an easy-to-wear post and if additional support is needed, an ear chain or support hook to assist in bearing the weight will work. You can view and compare lightweight kundan styles from the wider jewellery range.
How do you care for kundan-style earrings?
Earrings made using Kundan tend to be well-preserved longer when they receive gentle, dry care. They should be treated as delicate pieces and not as every day metal earrings.
- Keep them dry. Avoid letting water, perfume, sweat, or chemical products dull the foil-look setting, and the plating over time by putting your earrings on last, after you have put on your makeup and fragrance.
- Store them flat. Place each pair of earrings in a soft pouch, in a lined box, laying flat so that stones do not get knocked loose. Wrap in butter paper or an anti-tarnish cloth will also help to slow the dulling of the earrings.
- Wipe after each use. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently buff the earrings after each use, in order to remove oils and maintain their sparkle. Do not submerge the earrings in water or use a rough brush to clean them.
What kundan earring mistakes should you avoid?
Here are some frequent errors that could cause your kundan-style earrings to not last very long, or cause you to have an unbalanced appearance. These are worth keeping in mind.
- Avoid soaking in water or cleaning solutions. Moisture will loosen the setting and dull the finish; dry wipe is safer.
- Avoid excessive accessorising. Pairing a heavy chandbali with a heavy necklace, choker and bangles can create a cluttered look. Allow the earrings to lead the look.
- Avoid storing pairs loose together. Stones scratch one another, and plating will wear down when earrings are tumbled together in one box.
- Never assume all kundan earrings are solid gold. Kundan-style fashion earrings are gold plated; take notice of the descriptions so your expectations match the earrings you are purchasing.
Curated Picks
A few Nuyug kundan-style earrings - jhumkas, chandbalis and studs:
