How to Care for Kundan and American Diamond Jewelry: A Practical Guide

Kundan and American Diamond (cubic zirconia) jewelry is crafted to look and feel like fine traditional pieces at a fraction of the cost — but imitation jewelry needs different care than solid gold or diamond jewelry. The right habits keep plating bright, stones secure, and settings intact for years.

Understand what you're caring for

Kundan jewelry is made by setting stones (often glass or uncut polki-style stones) into a lac core, then framing them with gold-plated metal foil. American Diamond jewelry uses faceted cubic zirconia stones set in plated metal, usually brass or alloy. Neither is solid precious metal, which means the plating and adhesive settings — not the metal itself — are what you protect.

Keep it dry

This is the single most important rule. Water, sweat, and humidity are the main enemies of plated imitation jewelry:

• Put jewelry on after applying perfume, lotion, hairspray, and sunscreen — not before.
• Remove pieces before showering, swimming, exercising, or washing dishes.
• If a piece gets damp, pat it dry with a soft cloth rather than rubbing.

Store each piece separately

Kundan and American Diamond pieces scratch each other easily — and they can scratch solid jewelry too. Practical storage:

• Store each set or pair in its own soft pouch or a separate compartment of a jewelry box.
• Necklaces store flat or hung so chains don't kink; earrings stay paired.
• Zip-lock bags (squeezed free of air) are a simple, effective option — they slow tarnish by limiting air exposure.
• Avoid damp spots like bathrooms; a cool, dry drawer is better.

Clean gently and infrequently

• Wipe pieces with a soft, dry cloth (a microfiber lens cloth works well) after each wear to remove skin oils and sweat.
• For a deeper clean, use a slightly damp cloth with plain water only — no soap, no ultrasonic cleaners, no jewelry dip solutions. Chemicals marketed for gold and silver can strip plating and loosen glued Kundan stones.
• Let pieces air-dry completely before storing them.

Handle settings with care

• Kundan stones are often glued or set in lac — avoid banging pieces against hard surfaces, which can loosen or pop stones.
• Check earring backs and necklace clasps periodically; push-backs and fish-hook clasps loosen with wear.
• If a stone comes loose, store it with the piece in a labeled bag — a local jeweler can often re-glue a Kundan stone for a few dollars.

Travel and daily wear habits

• Keep an everyday rotation and save statement sets for events — daily wear accelerates plating fade.
• When traveling, pack pieces in individual pouches inside a rigid case so nothing crushes or tangles.
• Don't leave jewelry in a hot car; heat and humidity speed up tarnish.

The short version

Keep it dry, store it separately, wipe it after wearing, and skip chemicals entirely. Kundan and American Diamond jewelry made with these habits looks new far longer than pieces that live loose in a drawer or sit through showers.

Explore the collection at dsapphire.com — every piece ships from Charlotte, NC.