There are some jewellery styles that never really go out of fashion. They simply evolve — quietly, persistently — until one day you look up and realise they're everywhere again, but wearing a completely different face.

Kundan Polki is exactly that kind of style.

For centuries, these two ancient Indian crafts have adorned queens, brides, and women of significance. In 2026, they're finding their way back into the mainstream — not as heavy bridal heirlooms locked away after the wedding, but as wearable, contemporary pieces that sit as comfortably at a festive dinner as they do at a traditional ceremony.

What Makes Kundan and Polki Different

Before diving into the trends, it helps to understand what these two crafts actually are — because they're often mentioned together but are distinctly different techniques.

Kundan is a setting technique, not a stone. Uncut gemstones or glass are pressed into a gold framework packed with lac — a natural resin — which holds them in place without prongs. The result is a flat, seamless setting where stone and gold meet in an almost seamless surface. Kundan has its roots in Mughal-era jewellery and carries that distinctive layered, regal quality.

Polki refers to uncut, natural diamonds in their raw form — flat-bottomed and irregular in shape, set with the natural surface of the diamond facing up. Polki diamonds have a softer, more diffused sparkle than cut diamonds, which gives them a warmer, more romantic quality. They are almost exclusively set in gold, usually alongside enamel work or coloured stones.

Together, Kundan Polki jewellery represents the pinnacle of traditional Indian craftsmanship — intricate, labour-intensive, and deeply cultural.

How the Style Is Changing in 2026

The biggest shift happening right now is one of palette and weight. The bridal favourite is getting a soft makeover — 2026 is seeing Polki and Kundan sets moving away from deep reds and greens toward pastel palettes like mint, powder blue, and blush pink. This single change has transformed who can wear these pieces and when.

A mint green Kundan choker worn with a contemporary blouse. A blush pink Polki earring paired with an ivory saree. These aren't bridal looks anymore — they're styling choices that work for engagement parties, festive lunches, and even formal evenings.

Brides are still drawn to the royal luminosity of uncut Polki diamonds and the refined elegance of Kundan work, yet the styling is shifting — away from full matching sets toward one strong hero piece paired with understated supporting jewellery.

The Pieces Leading This Revival

Chokers

The Kundan Polki choker is the piece driving the most interest right now. Lightweight Polki choker jewellery sets and Kundan collar necklaces are among the most popular picks for 2026. The shorter length works beautifully with both traditional necklines and contemporary silhouettes — making it one of the most versatile Kundan pieces you can own.

When browsing gold necklace designs in the Kundan or Polki category, chokers and collar necklaces are worth prioritising if you want a piece that works beyond one occasion.

Earrings as the Hero Piece

Bold earrings are continuing to replace heavy necklace layering for many occasions — jhumkas, chandbalis, and temple-inspired earrings are being styled as the focal point of an outfit, often paired with a simple chain or no necklace at all.

This is one of the most practical styling shifts for Kundan Polki. A pair of statement Kundan jhumkas or Polki chandbalis carries the entire look without requiring a matching necklace or set. It's also a far more accessible entry point for buyers who want to explore the style without committing to a full set.

If you want to buy gold earrings online in the Kundan Polki category, look for pieces with clean gold backs and comfortable weight — the design can be elaborate without the earring itself being heavy.

Layered Necklaces With Minimal Polki

Another strong trend is the integration of Polki elements into layered necklace designs — a delicate gold chain layered with a shorter Polki pendant, or a lightweight Kundan piece worn alongside a plain gold chain. The colour palette is expanding toward pastels, pearls, and pops of red, with minimal gold and Polki fusion pieces leading the trend for 2026.

This layered approach allows buyers to introduce Kundan Polki into their wardrobe gradually — one piece at a time rather than committing to a full set immediately.

Styling Kundan Polki Beyond the Wedding

This is where the conversation gets interesting. Traditionally, Kundan Polki was saved for weddings and major celebrations. The 2026 evolution of the style is actively pushing against that.

A few ways to wear Kundan Polki in non-bridal contexts:

  • Festive occasions — a Kundan choker with a silk kurta or festive saree
  • Formal evening events — a single Polki statement earring with a contemporary gown
  • Engagement or mehendi functions — pastel Polki sets that feel celebratory without being bridal-heavy
  • Family celebrations — lightweight Kundan pieces in smaller sizes for a touch of heritage dressing

The key principle: let one Kundan or Polki piece lead, and keep everything else minimal. The craftsmanship in these pieces speaks loudest when it isn't competing.

What to Check Before Buying

Kundan Polki is a craft that varies significantly in quality. A few things worth verifying:

  • Gold purity — most authentic Kundan Polki is set in 22K gold; always check the karat and BIS hallmark
  • Stone quality — for Polki, ask whether the diamonds are certified; for Kundan, check that stones are evenly set with no visible gaps in the lac
  • Weight — heavier isn't always better for Kundan; intricate lightweight pieces often represent more skilled craftsmanship
  • Finishing on the reverse — the back of a Kundan piece should show meenakari or enamel work; plain, unfinished backs are a sign of lower quality

When you buy gold rings online or any Kundan Polki piece online, look for close-up product images that show both the front and back of the piece — this tells you far more about the quality of the craftsmanship than a single styled shot.

Jos Alukkas and the Kundan Polki Collection

Jos Alukkas carries a curated selection of Kundan and Polki-inspired gold jewellery across necklaces, earrings, and rings — all BIS hallmarked and crafted with the kind of attention to detail that traditional techniques demand. Their Virtual Try-On feature lets you see how a Kundan choker or a pair of Polki earrings looks on you in real time before buying, which is especially useful for a jewellery style where scale and proportion matter so much to how the piece actually wears.

The Bigger Picture

Kundan Polki isn't having a revival because it's nostalgic. It's having a revival because it's genuinely, objectively beautiful — and a new generation of buyers is discovering that for the first time without the weight of tradition telling them when and how to wear it.

That freedom is what the future of Kundan Polki actually looks like. Not locked away in a bridal trousseau, but worn with intention, styled with confidence, and passed down as something that was actually used.