How to evaluate, buy and preserve Kundan, Meena, Jadau Ornaments

Interested in buying some Kundan/Meena/jadau ornaments? Temptation for the same is really irresistable especially for an woman or a girl. But wait for a moment!!! You are going to invest a handsome amount. The ornament you love to purchase has to remain with you for quite a long, perhaps the lifetime.

This investment can pay you a good return if carefully chosen. Gold has apreciated 5000 percent in last 35 years!!!

And old antique Jadau? much more than that,.

Believe????

EVALUATE

You should know about the inside story before buying it. You have all rights to know the real value of the jewellery you are purchasing.

Value of a Kundan/Meena/Jadau item depends on several factors e.g. total gold weight, purity of gold, weight and quality of diamond and other stones used in the piece ; finishing of the piece and the artistic value it has.

Oh! I forget! Design does matter in todays world.

Though it is difficult for a common man or woman to judge it completely, here are some tips to analyze.

1. Normally,thick walled ornaments have a lesser gold percentage being the thickness used for the purpose of pouring flux inside.Even fluxex are light weight and heavy which needs an expertise to determine.

2.Look at the enamel work minutely. If the art is clearly visible and engravings are prominent, there is a fair chance of a thick gold plate inside.Otherwise it may have a thin gold plate resulting a less gold weight. Normally bright red color of enamel shows good purity. Even if the piece has enameling work in other colors brightness does matter.

3.Carat weight and quality of diamonds used effects a lot in pricing.In high priced ornaments these have a crucial role. In high end products , emphasys remains on value of diamonds rather than gold. Price of diamonds depends on its size and quality. In general, bigger the size more the rate.Whiteness and purity mainly determine quality of diamonds.Prices fall and rise sharply with quality and size. hence slight detoriaration in quality may cause a lower value. Before buying a jadau, better compare the quality of diamonds. (Normally flat or uncut diamonds are used in Jadau which are called parav/polki ).Thickness of the parav/polki is determinig factor of diamond weight alongwith size and number of pieces. Purity of diamond can be seen with an eyeglass 10X. Black spotted diamonds normally has a lesser value where as white spotteds fetch a medeum price. Of course, clean diamonds are the costliest.

Color of diamonds normally varies between white to brown ( light brown, brown and dark brown ) More the color less the price, whites are the best. Cutting of diamond also subscribes in evaluating diamonds.

It is very difficule to describe how to evaluate colored stones because many a varieties are usd having different characterstics.Howeveres it does not effect much the value of the whole piece in general. Exception is the beads or long beads/ drops hanged which have significant impact on the total value.

BUY

Now ,whenever you deciede to buy an art piece of Kundan/Meena/Jadau, go to a trust-worthy jeweller. First of all you should ask your saler total weight of gold used and its purity. Generally shop-keepers sale jadau items by gross or total weight. Do not be confused with total or gross weight. Gross weight is deceptive, one can enhance it upto twice or thrice without increasing gold weight. Please remembr that value depends on gold weight and not on the weight of flux used to enhance gross weight. It is difficult to assume flux weight inside for a layman, therefore,ask for a gaurantee. Do not also forget to ask purity of gold.

Get a gaurantee of gold & diamond weight. See purity, size and color of diamonds yourself.You may consult an expert you trust.You can ask for a buy-back gaurantee. What I believe, a buy back offer betwen 80 to 90 percent is fair in a retail outlet.

PRESERVE

Preservation of a Kundan/Meena/Jadau article is also very important. One may damage the piece by careless handling. Save the piece from water, dust and fire.Exposure to chemicals such as perfumes or cosmetics may be harmful. Higher level of pollution also blackens the foiles below the diamonds resulting a blackish or copperish look.These ornaments are normally party-wear. So wear it carefully and keep it in a safe place after coming home back.It is a good way of preserving to wrap these ornaments in a plane piece of cotton-cloth. As it is a valuable should be kept in a locker preferably in a vault.

N.B.:This write-up is for general awareness. Consult an expert.