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

(This hub is published on 
May 5, 2008.)

Interested in buying some Kundan Meena Jadau ornaments? Temptation for the same is really irresistible especially for a 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 appreciated 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 Kundan Meena Jadau ornaments depends on several factors. Total gold weight and purity of gold play major role in valuation. Value also depends on size, weight and quality of diamond and other stones.

Oh! I forget! Art and Design do matter.

It is difficult for a common man or woman to evaluate Kundan Meena Jadau Jewelry. However, some tips are provided here.

1. Normally, thick walled ornaments have a lesser gold percentage. Thickness is used to pour more flux inside. Fluxes are lightweight or heavy that 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, emphasis remains on value of diamonds rather than gold. Price of diamonds depends on its size and quality. In general, bigger the size more the price. Whiteness and purity mainly determine quality of diamonds. Prices fall and rise sharply with quality and size. Hence slight deterioration in quality may cause lower value. Before buying a Kundan Meena Jadau, it is better to compare the quality of diamonds. (Normally flat or uncut diamonds are used in Kundan Jadau which are called parav / polki). Thickness of the parav / polki is determining factor of diamond weight along with size and number of pieces. You can determine purity of diamond viewing it through an eyeglass (Magnifier 10X . Black spotted diamonds normally has a lesser value where as white spotted fetch a medium 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 difficult to describe how to evaluate colored stones. There are varieties of color stones such as Ruby, Sapphires, Emerald, tourmaline etc. Every stone has different valuation and characteristics. However, generally it does not affect much the value of the whole piece. Exceptions are the beads or long beads / drops hanged those have significant impact on the total value.

BUY

Whenever you decide to buy an art piece of Kundan  Meena Jadau, go to a trust-worthy Jeweler. It is in your best interest to ask your seller about total weight of gold used and its purity. Generally shopkeepers 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 up to twice or thrice without increasing gold weight. Please remember that value depends on gold weight and not on the weight of flux used to enhance gross weight. It is difficult for a layman to assume flux weight inside, therefore, ask for a guarantee. Do not also forget to ask about purity of gold.

Get a guarantee of gold and diamond weight. See purity, size and color of diamonds yourself. You may consult an expert you trust. You can ask for a buy-back guarantee. What I believe,buy back offer between eighty to ninety 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 foils 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 jewelry you should keep in a locker, preferably in a vault.

N.B.: This write-up is for general awareness. Consult an expert you trust before buying. You can feel free to mail jyoti_kothari@yahoo.com for any relevant information.