Behind the Scenes of Kundan Jewellery Making—Process and Techniques

Kundan jewellery, also known as Jadau jewellery, is a traditional form of Indian jewellery that originated in Rajasthan. It is a type of gold jewellery that features precious stones and enamel work. Kundan jewellery is known for its intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship. In this blog, we will take a look at the process and techniques involved in making Kundan jewellery.

The Process of Kundan Jewellery Making

Step 1: Designing

The first step in making Kundan jewellery is designing. The jewellery designer creates a sketch of the jewellery piece, and the design is approved by the client.

Step 2: Wax Mould

Once the design is approved, the jewellery maker creates a wax mould of the jewellery piece. The wax mould is used to create the frame of the jewellery piece.

Step 3: Gold Sheet

Next, a thin sheet of gold is cut and shaped to fit the wax mould. The gold sheet is then heated to make it malleable and is carefully pressed onto the wax mould to form the base of the jewellery piece.

Step 4: Setting Stones

Once the gold sheet is in place, the jewellery maker sets the precious stones. The stones are carefully arranged on the gold sheet, and small pieces of gold are used to hold the stones in place.

Step 5: Enamel Work

After the stones are set, the jewellery maker applies enamel to the gold sheet. Enamel is a glass-like material that is melted and fused onto the gold. It is used to fill the spaces between the stones and to create intricate designs on the jewellery piece.

Step 6: Removing the Wax

Once the enamel work is complete, the jewellery maker removes the wax from the gold sheet. The wax is melted, leaving behind the gold frame of the jewellery piece.

Step 7: Polishing

Finally, the jewellery piece is polished to give it a smooth and shiny finish. The jewellery maker uses various tools and techniques to polish the piece and bring out its natural beauty.

Techniques Used in Kundan Jewellery Making

Meenakari

Meenakari is a traditional technique used in Kundan jewellery making. It involves using enamel to create intricate designs on the jewellery piece. The enamel is applied to the gold sheet and then heated to fuse it onto the gold.

Jadau

Jadau is another traditional technique used in Kundan jewellery making. It involves setting precious stones into the gold frame of

the jewellery piece using small pieces of gold.

Polki

Polki is a technique used in Kundan jewellery making to create uncut diamonds. The diamonds are set in gold using a special technique that does not require cutting or polishing the diamonds.

Thewa

Thewa is a unique technique used in Kundan jewellery making. It involves creating intricate designs on a thin sheet of gold using a special process. The gold sheet is then fused onto a glass base to create a beautiful and intricate piece of jewellery.

Kundan jewellery is a traditional form of Indian jewellery that requires great skill and craftsmanship to create. The process of making Kundan jewellery involves designing, creating a wax mould, shaping the gold sheet, setting stones, applying enamel, removing the wax, and polishing.

FAQs

How is Kundan jewellery different from other forms of Indian jewellery?

Kundan jewellery is different from other forms of Indian jewellery because it features precious stones and enamel work set in a gold frame using traditional techniques like Jadau, Meenakari, Polki, and Thewa. It is known for its intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship.