Why is Polki jewellery so expensive?

Genuine Polki is real uncut diamond set in high-karat gold, and a single elaborate piece can take weeks of specialist handwork. The diamonds, the gold weight and the craftsmanship together account for the price — it is materials and labour, not markup.

Why do Polki prices vary so much?

Because “Polki” describes both genuine uncut-diamond pieces and glass or synthetic imitations. Two similar-looking necklaces can differ many times over in price depending on what the stones actually are, how much gold is used, and the depth of the craftsmanship.

Is Polki jewellery a good investment?

A genuine Polki piece set with real uncut diamonds in high-karat gold holds value in a way a glass-set piece does not, and carries additional value as a wearable heirloom. That only applies to genuine pieces with disclosed materials, so verification matters.

How do I know I am paying a fair price for Polki?

Ask what the price is made of: exactly what the stones are, the karat and weight of the gold, what certification accompanies the diamonds, and what design and craftsmanship are included. A jeweller who answers all four in writing lets you judge value properly.

The Journal

What Determines the Price of Polki Jewellery

The Zamrud Long Haar — diamond polki, emerald cabochon, pearl & emerald beading, 22kt gold

“How much does Polki jewellery cost?” is one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is that prices vary more than for almost any other kind of jewellery. Two Polki necklaces that look similar in a photograph can differ in price many times over. Understanding why is the key to judging value before you buy.

If you are unsure what Polki actually is, our guide to what Polki is is the place to start — because the single biggest driver of price is what the “diamonds” in a piece really are.

What Actually Determines the Price

The price of a genuine Polki piece is built from several distinct things:

The diamonds. Genuine Polki is uncut natural diamond. The quantity, size, colour and clarity of those diamonds is usually the largest part of the cost — and the widest gap, because pieces sold as “Polki” are sometimes set with glass or synthetic stones instead, which cost a fraction of real uncut diamonds.
The gold. Kundan and Polki settings require high-karat gold, often 22kt, and a substantial piece contains a meaningful weight of it. Gold weight alone can account for a large share of the price.
The craftsmanship. A single elaborate piece passes through several specialist artisans and can take weeks. That hand-setting, and the meenakari enamel often worked into the reverse, is a real cost, not a markup.
The other stones and the design. Emeralds, rubies, pearls and the sheer complexity of a design all add to it.

Why “Polki” Prices Vary So Widely

Because the word “Polki” is used for both genuine uncut-diamond pieces and glass-set imitations, a price alone tells you very little. A low price is not necessarily a bargain, and a high price is not automatic proof of quality. The only way to compare fairly is to know exactly what is in each piece — which is why we hold every diamond to the standards set out in our Diamond Standards.

How to Judge Value Before You Buy

Rather than asking only for a price, ask what the price is made of:

What exactly are the stones — natural uncut diamonds, other gemstones, or glass?
What karat is the gold, and roughly what does the piece weigh?
What certification or independent verification accompanies the diamonds?
What does the price include beyond the materials — design, craftsmanship, provenance?

A jeweller who can answer all four plainly, in writing, is giving you what you need to judge value. One who cannot is asking you to trust a number.

Is Polki a Good Investment?

A genuine Polki piece, set with real uncut diamonds in high-karat gold, holds value in a way a glass-set piece does not — with the added, harder-to-price value of being a wearable heirloom. But “investment” only applies to genuine pieces with disclosed materials; that distinction is the whole point.

Every bespoke piece we make is quoted transparently — diamonds, gold and craftsmanship, itemised. Begin your bespoke journey or message us for a considered quote on a piece made to your design.

Common Questions About Kundan

How much does Polki jewellery cost?: It varies widely, because genuine uncut-diamond Polki and glass-set imitations are both sold as “Polki”. Price depends on the diamonds, the weight and karat of gold, and the craftsmanship. The only way to judge cost fairly is to know exactly what a piece contains — ask us for an itemised quote.
Why is Polki jewellery so expensive?: Genuine Polki is real uncut diamond set in high-karat gold, and a single elaborate piece can take weeks of specialist handwork. The diamonds, the gold weight and the craftsmanship together account for the price — it is materials and labour, not markup.
Why do Polki prices vary so much?: Because “Polki” describes both genuine uncut-diamond pieces and glass or synthetic imitations. Two similar-looking necklaces can differ many times over in price depending on what the stones actually are, how much gold is used, and the depth of the craftsmanship.
Is Polki jewellery a good investment?: A genuine Polki piece set with real uncut diamonds in high-karat gold holds value in a way a glass-set piece does not, and carries additional value as a wearable heirloom. That only applies to genuine pieces with disclosed materials, so verification matters.
How do I know I am paying a fair price for Polki?: Ask what the price is made of: exactly what the stones are, the karat and weight of the gold, what certification accompanies the diamonds, and what design and craftsmanship are included. A jeweller who answers all four in writing lets you judge value properly.