Understanding Pakistani Jewellery Styles
Pakistani jewellery draws from Mughal traditions refined over centuries. Each style has a distinct look, technique, and price point — understanding the differences helps you choose the right piece for the right occasion and the right outfit.
Kundan
Kundan is the most recognisable Pakistani and North Indian jewellery style. It features gemstones (or glass stones) set in a gold or gold-plated base, with the stones surrounded by thin gold foil (the "kundan") that creates a distinctive warm glow.
How to identify it: Look for flat-cut stones (often red, green, or white) surrounded by a visible gold border. The overall effect is elaborate and regal.
Best for: Bridal wear, formal events, any heavily embroidered outfit
Pairs with: Velvet and karandi formal kameez, bridal lehengas
Price range: CAD $50–$500+ depending on whether the stones are glass or genuine gems and whether the metal is gold-plated or solid gold
Meenakari
Meenakari is the art of enamelling — fusing coloured glass or enamel powder to metal at high temperatures to create vivid coloured patterns. The result is jewellery that looks almost like painted metal.
How to identify it: Look for bright, opaque colours (often red, green, blue) within a metal framework. The colours appear smooth and glassy, not gemstone-like.
Best for: Mehndi events, semi-formal occasions, colourful shalwar kameez
Why it's popular: The bright colours work beautifully with embroidered fabric and photograph vividly
Polki
Polki jewellery uses uncut diamonds in their natural form — irregular, flat, and milky rather than the brilliant-cut diamonds of Western jewellery. The stones are set in gold (traditionally 22 or 24 karat) with foil backings.
How to identify it: The diamonds look irregular and slightly cloudy rather than sparkling and perfectly cut. The overall effect is antique and heirloom-quality.
Best for: The highest-end formal events, barat-level occasions
Price range: This is fine jewellery — genuine polki pieces start in the thousands of dollars
Temple Jewellery
Temple jewellery originally from South India has become popular across Pakistan for its bold, architectural look. Characterised by large, detailed pieces with mythological motifs, it works particularly well with dark fabrics.
Matching Jewellery to Your Outfit
The general rule: the more formal and embellished the outfit, the more elaborate the jewellery can be. Heavily embroidered velvet kameez → kundan or polki set. Printed lawn suit → minimal gold or simple meenakari earrings. The jewellery should complement the outfit, not compete with it.
Browse Pakistani jewellery on Ruyte — kundan, meenakari, and contemporary South Asian pieces available with shipping to Canada.