What is the difference between CZ and real diamond?

CZ (cubic zirconia) is a lab-made stone costing 10-100 rupees, while real diamonds are natural carbon crystals costing 20,000-5,00,000+ rupees per carat. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance (10/10) and last a lifetime, while CZ scratches and clouds within 1-3 years.

What are the 4 C's of diamonds?

The 4 C's are Carat (weight), Cut (how well it reflects light — the most important factor), Clarity (freedom from internal flaws, VS1-VS2 is the sweet spot), and Colour (D is colourless and most expensive, G-H looks white and is much more affordable).

Is stone weight deducted when selling gold jewellery?

Yes, this is the most important thing to know. When jewellery is weighed, the total includes both gold and stones. At resale, you only get paid for the net gold weight after deducting stone weight. Always ask for net gold weight on your bill.

What stones are used in kundan jewellery?

Traditional kundan jewellery uses glass stones (not real gemstones) set in gold foil using lac as the base. The stones are decorative and have no independent resale value. Premium versions use polki (real uncut diamonds) instead of glass.

Are rubies and emeralds good investments?

Certified rubies and emeralds hold resale value, but they are not as liquid as gold. Rubies (manik) range from 5,000-50,000 rupees per carat and emeralds (panna) from 3,000-30,000 per carat. Always buy certified stones from reputed jewellers for any resale potential.

What is polki diamond?

Polki is an uncut, natural diamond in its raw form — not machine-cut or polished. Each stone is unique with irregular shapes. Polki is set in gold using the kundan technique and is the most premium traditional jewellery style, popular in Mughal-inspired bridal sets.

Do pearls have resale value in gold jewellery?

Pearls have low resale value and are considered organic gems. They range from 500-10,000 rupees per piece and are popular in Hyderabadi jewellery sets and maang tikkas. Their value depreciates over time as they can yellow or lose lustre.

Gemstone Guide

Gemstones in Jewellery

Stones add colour, sparkle, and value to gold jewellery. From real diamonds to decorative CZ — here's what you need to know about each type.

Common Stones in Indian Jewellery

Stone	Type	Price Range	Used In	Resale
Diamond (Cut)	Precious	₹20K-5L/carat	Modern rings, pendants, earrings	Good (certified)
Polki (Uncut Diamond)	Precious	₹10K-2L/carat	Bridal kundan sets, heritage pieces	Moderate
Ruby (Manik)	Precious	₹5K-50K/carat	Temple jewellery, rings, pendants	Good (certified)
Emerald (Panna)	Precious	₹3K-30K/carat	Kundan sets, rings, necklaces	Good (certified)
Pearl (Moti)	Organic	₹500-10K/piece	Hyderabadi sets, maang tikka	Low
Kundan (Glass)	Decorative	Included in making	Traditional bridal sets	None (decorative)
CZ (American Diamond)	Synthetic	₹10-100/stone	Daily wear, fashion pieces	None
Meenakari (Enamel)	Decorative	Included in making	Rajasthani jewellery, bangles	None (craft value)

Stone Weight & Gold Weight

This is the #1 thing people don't know: When a piece is weighed on the scale, the weight includes both gold AND stones. When you sell or exchange, you only get paid for the gold weight.

Total weight on scale: 25.0g

Stone weight (kundan + pearls): 5.0g

Net gold weight: 20.0g ← this is what you get paid for

Always ask: "What is the net gold weight after deducting stones?" This should be on your bill.

Diamond Basics — The 4 C's

If buying diamond jewellery, these four factors determine the stone's value:

Carat

Weight of the diamond. 1 carat = 0.2 grams. Bigger isn't always better — a well-cut smaller stone can outshine a large dull one.

Cut

How well the diamond is shaped and faceted. Determines sparkle. Ideal/Excellent cut reflects maximum light. This is the most important factor.

Clarity

How free of inclusions (internal flaws). Ranges from FL (flawless) to I3 (visible inclusions). VS1-VS2 is the sweet spot — clean to the naked eye.

Colour

Ranges from D (colourless, most expensive) to Z (yellow tint). G-H range looks white and is significantly cheaper than D-F.

CZ vs Real Diamond

Feature	Real Diamond	CZ / American Diamond
Material	Natural carbon crystal	Cubic zirconia (lab-made)
Hardness	10/10 (hardest natural substance)	8.5/10 (scratches over time)
Sparkle	White brilliance + rainbow fire	More colourful fire (too much sparkle)
Price	₹20,000 - ₹5,00,000+ per carat	₹10 - ₹100 per stone
Resale	Yes (with certificate)	No resale value
Durability	Lifetime — never dulls	Clouds and scratches in 1-3 years
Best for	Investment pieces, engagement rings	Fashion jewellery, daily wear

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