Jewellery Care 101: Protecting Your Kundan & Artificial Jewellery

Kundan and artificial jewellery add instant elegance to any outfit — but without proper care, that shine can fade fast. Tarnishing, discoloration, and loose stones are common complaints, and most of them are completely avoidable with a few simple habits.

This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your jewellery looking as good as the day you bought it.

Table of Contents

1. Why Kundan & Artificial Jewellery Need Special Care
2. Daily Wear Habits That Protect Your Jewellery
3. How to Clean Kundan Jewellery Safely
4. Proper Storage Tips to Prevent Tarnishing
5. What to Avoid Completely
6. When to Replace vs Repair
7. Final Thoughts

Why Kundan & Artificial Jewellery Need Special Care

Unlike solid gold or silver, Kundan and artificial jewellery are typically built on a base metal with a plated finish, glass stones, and glue-set embellishments. This makes them more affordable and versatile — but also more sensitive to moisture, chemicals, and friction than fine jewellery. A little extra care goes a long way in preserving both the shine and the structure.

Daily Wear Habits That Protect Your Jewellery

• Put jewellery on last, and take it off first. Apply perfume, lotion, and hairspray before putting on your jewellery, not after.
• Avoid wearing jewellery while swimming or bathing. Chlorine and prolonged water exposure speed up tarnishing.
• Remove jewellery before sleeping. This prevents unnecessary friction and pressure on delicate settings.
• Take pieces off before intense physical activity. Sweat and movement can loosen stones over time.

How to Clean Kundan Jewellery Safely

1. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away oils and dust after each wear.
2. For deeper cleaning, use a barely damp cloth — never submerge Kundan pieces in water, as this can loosen the stone settings.
3. Avoid all chemical cleaners, including jewellery cleaning liquids meant for gold or silver — these are often too harsh for artificial finishes.
4. Let pieces air dry completely before storing them away.

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Proper Storage Tips to Prevent Tarnishing

• Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to prevent scratching and tangling.
• Keep jewellery away from direct sunlight and humidity — both accelerate tarnishing.
• Use anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets in your storage box if you live in a humid area.
• Avoid storing jewellery in the bathroom, where moisture levels are consistently high.

What to Avoid Completely

• Perfume and hairspray direct contact — these are among the biggest causes of discoloration
• Ultrasonic cleaners — too harsh for glued stones and plated finishes
• Harsh scrubbing with brushes or abrasive cloths
• Extended sun exposure, which can fade both metal plating and stone color

When to Replace vs Repair

Minor tarnishing or a loose clasp is usually repairable — a local jeweller can often re-plate or re-set pieces affordably. However, if stones are falling out repeatedly, or the base metal is visibly corroding, it's often more cost-effective to invest in a new piece rather than repeatedly repair an aging one.

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Final Thoughts

With the right storage and cleaning habits, your Kundan and artificial jewellery can stay radiant for years, not just a few wears. Treat each piece a little more gently than you would fine gold, and it will reward you with lasting shine.