Buying Guide
How to Buy Jewellery Online in India Without Getting It Wrong
Twelve checks that separate a listing worth ordering from one that will disappoint you.
Updated 4 min readRenu Ornaments
The twelve checks
- Base metal named? Brass, alloy, copper — it should say. Silence usually means the seller doesn't want to.
- Plating stated? Gold-toned, antique-gold, rhodium. 'Gold' with no qualifier on a ₹700 item is not a claim to take at face value.
- Stone type stated? Glass, cubic zirconia, imitation pearl. 'Kundan stones' alone describes the setting, not the material.
- Dimensions given? Length and width in mm or cm. This is what tells you whether an earring reaches your jaw or your shoulder.
- Weight given? The number that predicts comfort. Anything above roughly 8 g per pair of earrings needs support.
- Multiple photographs, including the back? A tidy reverse is a genuine quality signal. A single front-on shot is not enough.
- A scale reference? A hand, an ear, a coin. Product shots on white backgrounds systematically mislead about size.
- Return window and pickup cost? A return policy that requires you to arrange and pay for courier is a return policy in name only.
- Payment options? Cash on Delivery means you can inspect the parcel before paying.
- Delivery estimate for your PIN code? Especially before a festival or a function.
- Care instructions provided? A seller who explains how to look after a piece is not expecting it to fall apart.
- Colour disclaimer? Hand-applied enamel and screen calibration both vary. An honest listing says so.
Reading photographs properly
Product photography is lit to flatter. Studio lighting makes plating look richer and enamel look deeper than it will under a tube light in your bedroom. This isn't necessarily dishonest, but it is worth adjusting for.
- Look for a photo on skin or on an ear. It is the only shot that conveys real scale.
- Zoom into the stone settings. Uneven or tilted stones show up even in flattering light.
- Check whether all photos are the same angle. Multiple angles suggests the seller has the product in hand.
- Treat a heavily edited, glowing image with more caution than a plain one.
Language that should slow you down
| Phrase | What it often means |
|---|---|
| 'One gram gold' | Gold-toned plating on brass. It is a style name, not a gold weight. |
| 'Anti-tarnish, lifetime shine' | No plated jewellery can honestly promise this. |
| 'AD / American diamond' | Cubic zirconia — perfectly good, but not a diamond. |
| 'Polki' at a low price | Polki-style. Real polki is uncut natural diamond. |
| 'Premium quality' with no specifications | An adjective standing in for information. |
| 'Original' with no material named | Original what? Ask before ordering. |
None of these words is automatically dishonest — several describe genuine categories. The warning sign is when they appear instead of specifications rather than alongside them. The vocabulary is explained in kundan vs polki vs meenakari.
Timing your order
- Order at least a week before a function. Courier networks slow measurably before Diwali, Navratri, Durga Puja and through the wedding season.
- Check the delivery window for your own city rather than the site-wide average — we list it on each city page.
- If you're ordering to a relative's address in another city, confirm someone will be there for a Cash on Delivery handover.
- For a gift, allow time to open and check the piece yourself before passing it on.
How we try to meet our own checklist
It would be odd to publish this list and not be measured against it, so, plainly:
- Every product page states the base metal, the plating, the stone type and approximate dimensions and weight.
- We describe our pieces as fashion (imitation) jewellery, because that is what they are.
- Delivery is free on every order with no minimum, and Cash on Delivery is available across India.
- Returns are free-pickup within the stated window, including for a change of mind — see the return and refund policy.
- We publish a jewellery care guide rather than claiming pieces never need care.
- Where we don't have a verified figure for something, the page says so instead of estimating.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy imitation jewellery online in India?
Yes, with basic checks: named materials, stated dimensions, a real return policy with free pickup, and ideally Cash on Delivery so you can inspect the parcel before paying.
What does 'one gram gold jewellery' actually mean?
It is a marketing term for gold-toned plated jewellery, usually over brass or copper. It does not mean the item contains one gram of gold.
Should I choose Cash on Delivery or pay online?
Cash on Delivery gives you the strongest position — you see the parcel before paying. Paying online is more convenient and is the better option when you are sending something to someone else as a gift.
What should I do if the jewellery arrives damaged?
Photograph it immediately, ideally with an unboxing video, and contact the seller within their stated window. With us that means a free pickup and a replacement or full refund.
How do I know the size of an earring from a photo?
You don't — check the stated dimensions. Look for a millimetre or centimetre measurement, and compare it against a ruler held to your jaw before ordering.
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