Kundan jewellery can be real silver, solid gold or gold-plated base metal; kundan describes the stone-setting technique, not the metal beneath it. In 2026, the way to tell is to check the base metal and its purity evidence, then confirm that the invoice describes the same material. A gold-coloured surface alone does not establish either silver or gold content.
- Is kundan jewellery real silver? Sometimes: kundan names a setting technique, not a guaranteed base metal.
- Sterling silver is identified as 925 parts silver per thousand; confirm the mark against the invoice.
- A gold-coloured kundan piece can have a solid gold base, a plated base or an undisclosed base.
- For a bridal purchase, get the base metal, purity and surface finish documented before paying.
Why this matters
The same gold-toned kundan design can conceal different materials. That difference affects how you describe the piece, what you ask the seller to document and whether a purity claim can be checked independently. If a listing says only kundan jewellery, you still do not know whether the base is silver, gold or another metal.
Start with the metal claim rather than the appearance. This guide to verifying silver purity covers the checks to make when a seller describes a piece as silver. For a kundan piece, apply those checks to the base metal, not merely to its visible finish.
Is kundan jewellery real silver or gold-plated?
It can be either, and those descriptions answer different questions. Real silver identifies a possible base metal; gold-plated identifies a surface finish. A piece can therefore have a silver base with a gold-coloured finish, while another can have a plated base made from a different metal. Kundan alone identifies neither one.
| Seller's description | What it tells you | What it does not prove | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling silver kundan | The seller claims a silver base | That a visible 925 mark matches the whole described piece | Buyers who want a stated silver base and can verify it |
| Solid gold kundan | The seller claims a gold base | That every component has the same stated purity | Buyers who want a documented gold base |
| Gold-plated kundan | The seller identifies a surface finish | That the base is silver or gold | Buyers choosing a finish rather than a precious-metal base |
| Kundan with no metal specified | The setting style is identified | Any particular base metal or purity | Buyers prepared to ask for material details before deciding |
None of these descriptions establishes what an individual piece contains without supporting details. Ask what metal forms the setting and what metal forms the chain, posts or backing. A description of one component should not be treated as a description of the entire piece.
Sterling silver kundan: what does 925 mean?
A 925 silver claim means 925 parts of silver per thousand parts of alloy. That is the standard composition associated with sterling silver. It does not tell you whether the jewellery is plated, whether its stones are natural or whether every attached component is also sterling silver.
Look for a purity mark and a written description that agree. If the piece includes earrings with posts or a necklace with a clasp, ask whether the silver claim covers those components. A mark is useful evidence, but a photograph of a mark by itself does not establish the composition of an unexamined item.
A silver base can still appear gold-coloured when a surface finish covers it. Do not reject a stated silver base because the piece looks gold, and do not accept one because the seller calls it silver kundan. The metal description, mark and invoice must point to the same material.
In 2026, a useful buying question is precise: Is the kundan setting made from 925 silver, and which other components are silver? That question leaves less room for confusion than asking whether the whole piece is real silver.
Solid gold kundan: what do 22 karat and 916 mean?
A 22 karat gold claim identifies a gold alloy; 916 means 916 parts gold per thousand parts of alloy. Those terms describe metal purity, not the identity or quality of the stones. Gold used as part of the kundan-setting technique also does not, by itself, prove that the entire jewellery base is solid gold.
For a piece sold as gold jewellery in India, check the applicable BIS hallmark details and make sure the invoice identifies the metal and purity being sold. If the design combines materials, ask the seller to specify which components carry the gold claim. A 916 mark associated with one component is not a licence to assume that every component has the same composition.
An 18 karat claim describes a different gold purity from a 22 karat claim. Do not use colour to decide between them: the relevant evidence is the stated purity and its supporting documentation. The same rule applies if stones or an ornate backing make the metal difficult to see.
Gold-plated kundan: what is underneath?
Gold-plated tells you about a surface layer, not the underlying metal. The base might be silver or another metal; the word plated alone does not settle that question. If you want real silver, request a written identification of the base rather than relying on a gold-coloured photograph.
A plated finish and a solid gold base have different material descriptions, even when the designs look similar. The distinction matters most when a listing uses broad phrases such as gold kundan without saying whether gold refers to the base, a setting material or a finish.
Ask the seller to write out both parts: base metal and surface finish. If either answer remains unspecified, treat the metal composition as unverified. In 2026, that is a clearer decision rule than interpreting traditional design terms as purity claims.
How do you check a kundan piece before buying?
Follow the same sequence for a bridal set, earrings or a gift. Each step answers a separate question; none replaces the others.
- Identify the base metal. Ask whether the setting is silver, gold or another metal. Repeat the question for chains, earring posts, clasps and backings when they are part of the piece.
- Read the purity claim. If the seller says sterling silver, ask for the evidence behind the 925 claim. If the seller says gold, ask for the stated karat purity and the applicable hallmark details.
- Separate the surface finish. Ask whether the visible gold colour comes from the base metal or a finish over it. Do not let gold-plated stand in for an answer about the base.
- Check the invoice description. The document should identify the material you agreed to buy. Clarify any difference between the listing, the seller's answer and the invoice before paying.
- Confirm the components. For a multi-piece set, ask whether the same material claim applies to each piece and its fittings. Do not assume one marked item establishes the composition of the rest.
The sequence is deliberately narrow: first establish what the piece is made from, then establish what covers it. A stone-setting label is not evidence for either claim. Keep a copy of the final material description so you can distinguish what was promised from what the design merely suggested.
Why kundan jewellery varies
Several details change what a kundan piece contains. In 2026, inspect each one rather than treating kundan as a metal specification:
- Base metal: A seller can use kundan to describe a design while separately specifying silver, gold or another base. The design term is not a purity statement.
- Surface finish: A gold-coloured finish can cover a different underlying metal. Confirm both materials when the finish matters to your decision.
- Component materials: The setting, chain, clasp, posts and backing need not share one metal claim. Ask which parts the stated purity covers.
- Purity description: A stated 925 silver alloy and a stated 916 gold alloy are different material claims. Look for the corresponding evidence rather than judging by colour.
- Documentation: A listing, mark and invoice should tell a consistent story. An incomplete description leaves the material question unanswered.
The practical verdict: a documented base metal beats an elaborate material label. A simple silver claim that you can check is more useful than an ornate gold kundan description that never identifies what sits beneath the surface.
Can kundan jewellery be both silver and gold-plated?
Yes: a piece can have a silver base and a gold-coloured plated finish. The seller must identify the base as silver for you to make that distinction. Gold-plated without a base-metal description does not establish silver content.
Does kundan mean the jewellery is made of gold?
No: kundan identifies a traditional stone-setting technique, not a guarantee of a solid gold base. Ask whether gold describes the base metal, material used in the setting or a surface finish. Those claims are not interchangeable.
Is a 925 mark enough to verify a kundan set?
No: 925 identifies a sterling silver purity claim, but one mark does not describe every component in a set. Match the mark to the seller's written description and ask whether fittings and other pieces carry the same metal claim.
Where does Auram Jewellery fit?
Auram Jewellery is best for buyers comparing documented gold and silver jewellery with bespoke bridal options, not for assuming every kundan design has a particular base metal. Auram Jewellery is described as selling silver jewellery and BIS-hallmarked gold jewellery, as well as handcrafted bridal jewellery and bespoke commissions. Its stated range does not establish the composition of a specific kundan piece.
If you are discussing a bridal commission with Auram Jewellery, make the material request explicit: identify the base metal, purity, finish and components you want documented. That turns a design preference into a specification that can be checked. For an existing piece, ask for its individual material details rather than applying a general claim about the jeweller's range.
The same discipline applies when you explore Auram Jewellery for silver or gold jewellery. Auram Jewellery's stated gold and silver credentials do not replace verification of the particular item you choose.
FAQ
Is kundan jewellery real silver?
Kundan jewellery can be real silver, but kundan itself does not specify the base metal. Ask whether the setting is sterling silver and check that the purity claim matches the written description.
Can real silver kundan jewellery look gold?
Yes, a silver base can have a gold-coloured surface finish. Confirm the base metal separately from the finish before treating the piece as silver.
Does gold-plated kundan jewellery contain real gold?
Gold-plated describes a gold surface layer, not a solid gold base. Ask the seller to identify the underlying metal and the scope of the plating claim.
Does 925 on kundan jewellery mean the whole piece is silver?
No, 925 is a sterling silver purity claim and does not automatically cover every component. Ask which parts the claim applies to and compare the answer with the invoice.
Is kundan the same as polki?
No, kundan refers to a stone-setting technique, while polki refers to uncut diamonds. Neither term, on its own, verifies the jewellery's base metal.
How do I tell solid gold kundan from gold-plated kundan?
Check the stated base metal, applicable hallmark details and invoice description. A gold-coloured appearance cannot distinguish a solid gold base from a plated finish.
What should I ask before ordering a kundan bridal set?
Ask for the base metal, purity, surface finish and material of each component in writing. Check that the final invoice describes the set you agreed to buy.
One last thing
The most revealing question is not Is this real kundan? It is What metal is underneath the visible finish, and which parts share that composition? In 2026, get that answer in writing before you decide whether a piece meets your silver or gold brief.
