Pure Pearls Glossary
Meenakari
Coloured enamel fused into engraved metal, most often on the reverse of kundan jewellery.
Meenakari fills engraved channels in the metal with powdered glass, then fires the piece so the glass fuses into permanent colour.
Traditionally it decorates the back of a kundan piece, which means the wearer sees the enamel even though the viewer does not. That hidden finish is a mark of a properly made piece.
Jaipur is the centre of the craft, and its signature reds and greens are the colours most associated with it.
When you are buying
Turn any kundan piece over before buying. Meenakari on the reverse is one of the clearest indicators that you are looking at real craft rather than a cast reproduction.
Meenakari pieces
9 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹5,600.
Lovely White Pearls Necklace With Meenakari Dholak Beads
Beautiful Round White Pearls Necklace With Meenakari Enamel Beads
Pretty pearl necklace set in maroon meenakari and ink blue stone pendant
Artisan White Pearl Necklace With Enamel Finish Meenakari Beads
Magnificent pearl set in amazingly beautiful maroon meenakari pendant
Luminous White Round Pearl Necklace With Side Meenakari Dholak Pendant
Gorgeous White Round Pearl Necklace With Meenakari Dholak Pendant
Different and gorgeous pearl necklace set with meenakari pendant
Read next
Kundan
A setting technique where highly refined gold foil is pressed around stones to hold them, with no prongs or claws.
Polki
An uncut, unfaceted natural diamond, set face-up in kundan. Glows softly rather than sparkling.
Thewa
A Rajasthani craft that fuses pierced sheet gold onto coloured glass, producing a stained-glass effect.
Pachi
A kundan variant where stones are set into a lac-filled frame, giving a slightly raised, textured surface.
Not sure what you are being sold?
Paste any pearl description — another shop’s listing, a message from a jeweller, an old certificate — and we will break it down term by term.