Kundan vs. Meenakari: Understanding Jaipur's Two Iconic Jewellery Arts

Two Techniques, One Heritage

Walk through the old jewellery lanes of Jaipur and you'll hear these two words again and again—Kundan and Meenakari. They're often mentioned in the same breath, and at EthnicLush, many of our own pieces bring them together. But they are, in fact, two distinct art forms, each with centuries of craft behind it. Here's a closer look at what sets them apart, and how to choose between them.

Kundan is the art of setting gemstones—real or simulated—into gold using a technique that dates back to the Mughal courts of Rajasthan. Unlike modern prong-set jewellery, Kundan stones are held in place by finely worked gold foil, pressed and burnished around each stone by hand. The result is a smooth, glass-like sparkle with no visible claws or clasps—just stone and gold, seamlessly joined.

It's painstaking work. A single Kundan necklace can take a skilled artisan days to complete, stone by stone, foil by foil. That's part of why Kundan jewellery has always been associated with celebration—weddings, festivals, and moments meant to be remembered.

Meenakari is the art of enamelling—fusing colour onto metal through heat. Artisans hand-paint intricate patterns onto gold or silver using powdered enamel, then fire the piece in a kiln so the colour melts and bonds permanently to the metal. What makes Meenakari so distinctive is that the artistry often lives on the back of the piece, hidden until you turn it over—a quiet signature of true craftsmanship.

Meenakari originated in Persia and was brought to India by the Mughals, where Jaipur's artisans made it their own, developing a palette of reds, greens, and blues so specific to the region that it's still called “Jaipur enamel” today.

Many of the most striking traditional pieces—including several in our own collections—use both techniques on a single piece: Kundan-set stones on the front, Meenakari enamel work on the back. It's a quiet kind of luxury. From the front, the piece dazzles. Flip it over, and there's an entirely different, equally deliberate world of colour and detail.

• Choose Kundan-forward pieces if you want maximum sparkle and a classic, festive silhouette—necklace sets, chokers, and statement earrings that catch the light.
• Choose Meenakari-forward pieces if you're drawn to colour and pattern as much as shine—these tend to feel a little more painterly, a little more individual.
• Choose a Kundan-Meenakari piece if you want both—the classic Rajasthani combination that works as beautifully with a saree as it does with a contemporary silhouette.

Both techniques are handcrafted, not cast, so they deserve a little extra care—keep pieces away from perfume and moisture, store them separately, and wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.

Every Kundan and Meenakari piece at EthnicLush is handcrafted by artisans in Jaipur, using techniques passed down through generations. Explore our Kundan Collection and Meenakari Collection to find a piece that carries this story with it.

Where gold meets colour, and craft becomes heirloom.