Kundan, polki or antique finish: how to tell them apart
Three looks that are often confused at the counter, and what each one means for weight, price and wear.
Cleaning and storing gold jewellery at home
Soap, a soft brush and separate pouches: the routine that keeps 22K gold bright between workshop visits.
Gold itself does not rust or tarnish, but the things that sit on it do. Sweat, soap, oil, kumkum and perfume collect in the crevices of a necklace and dull the shine within a few months of regular wear. A simple routine at home keeps most pieces looking new.
For plain gold such as chains, kadas and coin necklaces, fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid. Soak for ten minutes, then brush gently with a soft baby toothbrush, paying attention to links and engraving. Rinse in clean water and pat dry with a cotton towel. Do not use toothpaste, baking soda or tamarind; they are abrasive and leave fine scratches.
Stone-set pieces need more care. Kundan, polki and antique-finish jewellery should never be soaked, because water can seep behind the foil under the stones and cloud them. Wipe these with a dry, soft cloth after every wear, and bring them to us once a year for a proper clean. Pearls should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.
Store each piece separately in a cloth pouch or a lined box, so chains do not tangle and harder stones do not scratch softer gold. Keep a sachet of silica gel in the box during the monsoon. Antique-finish pieces darken naturally over time; that is part of their look, and our workshop refreshes the finish free whenever you like.
