Types of Indian Jewellery: Kundan, Temple, Oxidised, AD and Gold Plated Explained
By Zewar-e-Noor Team
Quick answer
Indian jewellery comes down to five finishes: Kundan, Temple, Oxidised, American Diamond and gold plated. Each sits at a different price and mood, from a ₹199 oxidised anklet pair for daily wear to a ₹1,499 Kundan necklace set for weddings. Pick the finish first, then choose the piece.
The types of Indian jewellery sold at Zewar-e-Noor come down to five finishes: Kundan, Temple, Oxidised, American Diamond and gold plated. Within those finishes sit necklaces, jhumkas, bangles, maang tikka, mangalsutra and anklets. Learn the finish first and everything else gets easy, from a ₹250 oxidised necklace for a college day to a ₹1,499 Kundan set for a cousin's wedding.
What are the main types of Indian jewellery?
Indian jewellery is grouped by finish first and by piece second. The five finishes here are Kundan, Temple, Oxidised, American Diamond and gold plated. Then you pick the piece: necklace set, jhumka, bangle stack, maang tikka, mangalsutra or anklet. Finish sets the mood, the piece sets where you wear it.
- Kundan: flat stones in a broad setting. Wedding territory.
- Temple: motif-led. Festive and wedding.
- Oxidised: dark and matte. Daily wear and college.
- American Diamond: clear AD stones. Parties and festive days.
- Gold Plated: gold tone. Office, daily wear, brunch.
A quick honesty note. Every piece at Zewar-e-Noor is imitation or fashion jewellery. Gold plated means a gold tone finish over a base metal, not gold. Kundan here refers to kundan-style stones, and American Diamond refers to clear AD stones. Keep that in mind and styling gets simpler, because you are matching a finish to a mood rather than guessing at price brackets.
How do you choose between Kundan, Temple, Oxidised, American Diamond and gold plated?
Choose by occasion and neckline, not by budget alone. Kundan and Temple are the two heaviest finishes, so they want a saree, lehenga or silk kurta. Oxidised suits cotton, block prints and denim. American Diamond and gold plated sit in the middle, with enough shine for a party and little enough weight for a workday.
| Finish | What it looks like | Best for | Zewar-e-Noor price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kundan | Flat stones with a broad setting | Wedding, sangeet | ₹1,499 |
| Temple | Motif work with deep red stones | Wedding, festive | ₹1,199 |
| Oxidised | Dark, matte, everyday | Daily wear, college | ₹199 to ₹250 |
| American Diamond | Clear stones in a light setting | Festive, office party | ₹299 to ₹749 |
| Gold Plated | Gold tone, plain or with small pendants | Daily wear, office, brunch | ₹300 to ₹599 |
Kundan
Kundan is the dressiest finish on this list. The setting is broad and the look is bridal, so it works with silk sarees, velvet blouses and lehengas rather than everyday kurtas. The Noor Pearl Kundan Set at ₹1,499 (MRP ₹2,999) pairs layered kundan-style stones with hand-strung faux pearls, which reads as a full bridal necklace without bridal pricing. Keep the neckline low or wide so the necklace sits flat. If you want to go deeper on that set alone, how to choose and style a Kundan jewellery set covers the details.
Temple
Temple jewellery is motif-led. The Shahi Temple Necklace Set at ₹1,199 (MRP ₹2,399) has Lakshmi motifs and deep red stones, and that is the version that sits well with a Kanjeevaram, an Anarkali or a festive kurta set. Save it for a Diwali dinner or a sangeet rather than a workday, and keep the earrings small so the motifs stay the focus.
Oxidised
Oxidised is the daily-wear finish: a dark, matte look that suits cotton kurtas, block prints and denim. The Anti Tarnish Necklace at ₹250 (MRP ₹500) is the easiest starting point over a plain kurta or a tee, and it needs almost no planning. If your outfit is already busy, this is the finish that calms it down.
American Diamond
American Diamond stones are the clear, sparkly ones, and they catch indoor light well for photos. The Sitara AD Pendant Set at ₹749 (MRP ₹1,499) is a lighter AD set, so it adds shine to a simple outfit without covering the whole neckline. Wear it to a festive lunch, an office party or a college farewell.
Gold Plated
Gold plated pieces give you the gold look at a lighter weight and a lighter price. The Trio Charm Layered Necklace at ₹300 is a three strand gold tone piece with a cream teardrop pendant, a white faux pearl in a gold frame and a small shell charm at the bottom. The mixed shapes keep it from looking plain, so it works over a tee, a kurta or a deeper neckline.
Which jewellery types suit daily wear, office, festive and wedding?
Match the finish to the occasion and the piece to the neckline. Oxidised and gold plated cover daily wear, college and office. American Diamond covers festive days and parties. Kundan and Temple take over for weddings and big festive evenings. Anklets, bangles and earrings cross over between occasions far more freely than necklaces do.
- Daily wear: one oxidised necklace at ₹250 over a cotton kurta, small anklets, a single bangle. Nothing heavier.
- College and office: clear AD drops such as the Zoya AD Drop Earrings at ₹299, or the gold plated Trio Charm chain. Pick one of the two.
- Party and brunch: the Chhan Chhan Anklet Pair at ₹199 (MRP ₹399) plus AD earrings. Light pieces, since you will be standing.
- Festive: the Sitara AD Pendant Set or the Shahi Temple Set, with a bangle stack on one wrist.
- Wedding: the Noor Pearl Kundan Set or the Shahi Temple Set, with the Shehnai bangle stack, and a maang tikka if your hairstyle allows it.
What pieces make up a complete Indian jewellery set?
A full Indian jewellery look has six slots: necklace, earrings, bangles, maang tikka, mangalsutra and anklets. You rarely need all six. Most outfits need two or three: a necklace and earrings for a wedding, bangles and anklets for a festive day, or just earrings and a light chain for work.
Necklace sets
The necklace decides the finish of the whole look. Browse Necklace Sets in Kundan, Temple, Oxidised, AD and gold plated. A heavy set means stop at small earrings. A layered chain means you can add a second chain at a different length.
Earrings and jhumkas
Jhumkas and drops are the second slot. See Jhumkas & Earrings for the range. Small studs or drops let a heavy necklace lead the look. Heavy jhumkas want a plain neckline or no necklace at all.
Bangles
Bangles pull a saree or kurta together and can carry a festive look on their own. The Shehnai Bangle Set at ₹599 (MRP ₹1,199) is a maroon silk thread and kundan stack, and it comes in 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 sizes. Tell the team your size on WhatsApp when you order.
Maang tikka
A maang tikka belongs at a wedding, a mehendi or a sangeet, and it looks best when the parting is clean: centre-parted with a low bun, or half-tied with the tikka pinned slightly forward. Our maang tikka picks are light enough for a long function. Skip it if you are already wearing heavy jhumkas.
Mangalsutra
A mangalsutra is a daily piece, so keep it light. Gold plated versions work over kurtas at home and in office, and they sit better with a single chain than with a full set. Wear it alone on the neckline and let the earrings do the rest.
Payal and anklets
Anklets are the easiest piece to add to any outfit, jeans included. Browse Payal & Anklets for light pairs. For brunches and parties, the Chhan Chhan Anklet Pair at ₹199 is light enough to keep on all evening.
How do you mix jewellery types without looking overloaded?
One heavy piece at a time. If the necklace is Kundan or Temple, keep the earrings small and skip a heavy maang tikka. If the jhumkas are big, wear a plain neckline or drop the necklace. Oxidised and gold plated are the finishes you can layer, because both are light and neither fights for attention.
Two rules save most outfits. First, do not stack a bright gold plated chain and an oxidised necklace in the same visible layer, because the two finishes pull in opposite directions. Second, three chains only work if the pendants are different shapes, which is exactly why the Trio Charm piece uses a teardrop, a faux pearl and a shell instead of three similar drops.
How do you clean and store Indian imitation jewellery?
Keep it dry. These pieces are gold plated, oxidised or stone-set fashion jewellery, so water, perfume and sweat are what dull the finish fastest. Spray perfume and apply lotion first, let both settle, then put your jewellery on. Wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth after wearing, and store it in its own zip pouch.
A few habits help. Do not soak anything, not even oxidised pieces that look sturdy. Do not use harsh cleaners, nail polish remover or toothpaste on stone-set pieces. Fasten hooks before storing so chains stay untangled, and keep pouches in a dry drawer rather than on a bathroom shelf. Care advice cannot make plating permanent, but it does slow the dulling down.
If you are unsure which finish suits an outfit you already own, send a photo on WhatsApp and the Zewar-e-Noor team will suggest a piece from the catalogue.
How to clean and store your Indian imitation jewellery
Step 1: Take pieces off before water
Remove necklaces, bangles and anklets before washing hands, dishes or hair. Water is the fastest way to dull a gold plated or oxidised finish.
Step 2: Perfume and lotion first
Spray perfume and apply lotion, wait for it to dry, then wear your jewellery. Putting pieces on before your perfume means the spray lands directly on the finish.
Step 3: Wipe after every wear
Wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth before it goes back in the pouch. Do not rub hard on kundan-style stones or on AD settings.
Step 4: Store each piece separately
Keep one piece per zip pouch so chains do not tangle and stones do not scratch each other. Lay layered necklaces flat rather than folded.
Step 5: Keep the pouches dry
Store pouches in a dry drawer away from the bathroom, kitchen counter or any damp spot. Moisture sitting in a closed pouch is what damages plating.
Guides in this series
- Jewellery for Skin Tone Indian: Gold, Oxidised or AD for Warm, Cool and Neutral Undertones
Find jewellery for skin tone Indian styling: gold-plated for warm undertones, oxidised and AD for cool, plus real ₹ prices and neckline rules.
- Earrings and Necklaces for Face Shape: A Styling Guide for Round, Oval, Square, Heart and Long Faces
Find earrings and necklaces for face shape with simple rules for round, oval, square, heart and long faces, plus imitation jewellery picks under ₹1,500.
- Famous Jewellery Markets in India: A City-by-City Shopping Guide
A practical guide to the famous jewellery markets in India, from Dariba Kalan and Laad Bazaar to Colaba Causeway, plus what to check before you pay.
- Imitation Jewellery vs Real Jewellery: An Honest Guide
Imitation jewellery vs real jewellery: what each is made of, real prices from ₹250 to ₹1,499, when to buy which, and how to care for plated pieces.
- How to Check the Quality of Imitation Jewellery: Plating, Stones, Clasps and Finish
Learn how to check quality of imitation jewellery: plating, stone setting, clasps and finish, plus what to look for in kundan, oxidised and AD pieces.