How to Store and Preserve Polki & Jadau Jewellery at Home
Polki (uncut diamond) and Jadau pieces are the crowning glory of traditional Indian jewelry boxes. Yet, they are among the most fragile items in your vault.
The reason lies in the craftsmanship. Unlike modern prong-set diamonds that sit open to catch light, traditional Polki diamonds are set in 24k pure gold foil (daak) within an Itta (lac) core. The silver or gold foil placed behind the uncut stone reflects light, giving Polki its signature soft, candle-lit glow.
If moisture gets trapped behind that foil, it oxidizes, turns black, and completely extinguishes the gem’s brilliance.
Here is how to properly protect your Jadau investments between wedding seasons.
1. Ditch the Commercial Velvet Boxes The heavy, plush boxes your bridal sets arrive in are meant for dramatic reveals, not long-term storage.
The Problem: Velvet and regular foam trap ambient humidity. Over several monsoon cycles, that trapped dampness seeps into the stone settings.
The Fix: Store individual pieces in acid-free tissue paper or wrap them in unbleached, dry cotton muslin (malmal). Natural cotton breathes while buffering the gold from environmental fluctuations.
2. The Silica Gel Safeguard Moisture is the primary culprit behind blackened Jadau foil and green tarnish on enamel (meenakari).
Place two to three fresh, food-grade silica gel packets inside your jewelry storage organizer or vault drawer. The silica actively absorbs ambient humidity before it can reach the foil backing of your pieces. Replace or recharge these packets every 6 months.
3. Seal in Ziplock Bags (The Right Way) While pearls choke in airtight plastic, Polki pieces benefit from an airtight barrier against atmospheric oxidation, provided there is zero moisture inside when you seal them:
Wrap the cleaned, bone-dry piece in a layer of muslin cloth or tissue.
Slide it into a durable, self-sealing plastic zip pouch.
Gently press out as much excess air as possible before sliding the seal shut.
Keep each piece in its own pouch; never allow two heavy chokers or sets of chaandbalis to rub against one another, as raw diamond edges can scratch softer 22k/24k gold frames.
The Unbreakable Cleaning Rule for Jadau Never submerge Polki or Kundan jewelry in water, liquid cleaners, or alcohol.
Once liquid enters the setting through the hairline gap between the stone and the gold foil, it cannot evaporate. It will rot the inner lac and turn the reflective foil a permanent dull grey-green.
How to clean: Use an ultra-soft, completely dry artist's paintbrush or a dry lens-cleaning cloth to dust the crevices. If there are makeup stains on the reverse meenakari work, lightly wipe only the enamel with a slightly damp cotton swab, ensuring zero moisture reaches the front stones.
Long-Term Preservation Heirloom Jadau jewelry is built to survive generations, but only if kept shielded from humidity and chemical exposure.
Have a heritage Polki necklace showing signs of dullness or loose stones? Bring it to the master artisans at Zaveri Bros for professional restoration and traditional stone securing.