The Ultimate Guide to Buying Bridal Jewelry Online: What to Look For (Without Getting Scammed)

The Pakistani wedding season (“Shaadi Season”) is a phenomenon of its own. It’s months of planning, endless dholkis, and the pressure to look flawless at every single event. Traditionally, buying jewelry for these events meant sitting in a crowded jeweler’s shop in Liberty Market or Tariq Road, sipping chai while haggling over the price of gold per tola.

But times have changed. With gold prices touching historical highs, more and more brides and wedding guests are making a smart switch: High-Quality Artificial and Semi-Precious Jewelry.

Buying jewelry online, however, can be terrifying. Will it look cheap? Will the polish fade in two days? Will the stones fall out before the Baraat even arrives? These are valid fears.

If you are browsing Rentkidokan.com and eyeing those stunning Zircon sets but feeling hesitant to click “Buy,” this guide is for you. Here is everything you need to know to spot quality, match your outfit, and get the best value for your money when shopping for bridal jewelry online.

1. Why the Shift? Gold vs. High-End Artificial

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Is it okay for a bride to wear artificial jewelry? The answer in 2025 is a resounding YES.

Unless you are buying for investment purposes, spending lakhs on a heavy gold set that you will only wear once is becoming impractical.

• Safety: Traveling to and from wedding venues late at night with heavy gold is a security risk.
• Versatility: Artificial jewelry allows you to match the stones exactly to your dress color (Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires) without breaking the bank.
• The “Real” Look: Modern techniques like Gold Plating and Zircon setting (which we specialize in at Rentkidokan) have bridged the gap. A high-quality Zircon set sparkles just like diamonds under wedding hall lights.

2. Decoding the Terminology: What Are You Actually Buying?

When you read product descriptions online, you might see words like “Zircon,” “Kundan,” or “Gold Plated.” Here is what they mean in terms of quality and look.

A. Zircon (The Diamond Alternative) This is the star of our collection. Zircon is a natural gemstone (not plastic!) that closely resembles a diamond.

• The Look: It has high refraction, meaning it sparkles intensely.
• Best For: Walima receptions or modern Barat looks. A Zircon Stone Necklace Set looks sophisticated, expensive, and works perfectly with gowns or pastel-colored Lehengas.
• Rentkidokan Pick: Check out our 12-Piece Zircon Stone Necklace Sets. These usually come with a heavy necklace, earrings, a tikka, and sometimes a ring, offering a complete look.

B. Kundan and Polki This is traditional jewelry using glass or uncut stones set in gold foil.

• The Look: Regal, heavy, and very traditional.
• Best For: The main Barat day (Ruksati) or Mehndi. It pairs beautifully with deep reds, maroons, and rust-orange outfits.

C. Gold Plated This refers to the metal base.

• The Quality Check: Look for “24K Gold Plated” in the description. This means a thin layer of real gold is bonded to the metal. It gives the jewelry that authentic yellow-gold shine rather than a fake, coppery orange tint that cheap jewelry has.

3. The “Zoom Test”: How to Spot Quality Photos

Since you cannot touch the jewelry, you must rely on the photos. Here is how to investigate a product image like a pro detective.

Check the “Prongs” vs. “Glue” Zoom in on the stones.

• High Quality: The stones are held in place by tiny metal claws called prongs. This is how real jewelry is set. It ensures the stones won’t fall out.
• Low Quality: The stones look like they are sitting in a pool of clear glue. Avoid this. Glue dries out, turns yellow, and the stones will drop.
• Verdict: At Rentkidokan, our premium Zircon sets use prong settings for that realistic finish.

Check the Metal Smoothness Look at the back of the earrings or the necklace if a photo is available.

• High Quality: The metal should be smooth and polished, even on the back.
• Low Quality: If the metal looks bumpy, pitted, or rough, it’s a sign of cheap casting alloy that might irritate your skin or turn your neck green.

The “Fall” of the Necklace A good necklace should be flexible. If the necklace looks stiff in the photo (like a solid U-shape that doesn’t bend), it won’t sit flat on your collarbone. Look for sets that are linked together (articulated) so they drape naturally over your neck.

4. Matching the Jewelry to Your Event

One of the biggest mistakes brides make is buying the jewelry before the dress, or buying a set that clashes with the neckline.

The Mehndi Bride

• Vibe: Fun, colorful, floral.
• Recommendation: Go for flower jewelry or light Gold Plated sets. You don’t want to look too heavy before the big day.
• Neckline: usually a round or scoop neck. A choker works best here.

The Barat Bride (The Red Day)

• Vibe: Traditional, royal, emotional.
• Recommendation: A heavy Gold Plated Mala layered with a choker.
• The Matha Patti: This is crucial for the Barat. If you have a round face, go for a single-sided Tikka or a delicate Matha Patti. If you have a longer face, a heavy, broad Matha Patti looks stunning.

The Walima Bride (The Pastel Day)

• Vibe: Modern, angelic, sophisticated.
• Recommendation: Silver or White Gold finish Zircon sets.
• Why: Walima outfits are usually silver, ice blue, tea pink, or mint green. Yellow gold jewelry can clash. A sparkling Silver Zircon set complements the crystal work on Walima gowns perfectly.

5. Sizing and Comfort: The Forgotten Factors

Online photos can be deceiving regarding size.

• The Earring Weight: Look at the size of the stud or Jhumka. If you are not used to wearing heavy earrings, buying a massive heavy set will be painful.
  • Pro Tip: If you fall in love with a heavy pair, buy “ear chain supports” (sahara) to distribute the weight into your hair.
• The Ring Size: Many of our rings at Rentkidokan are adjustable, but always check the description. If it says “Fixed Size,” ensure you know your ring size. “Adjustable” is always the safer bet for gifting.

6. Post-Purchase Care: Making it Last

You bought a beautiful set from Rentkidokan. How do you ensure it stays shiny for years?

• The “Last On, First Off” Rule: Wear your jewelry after you have applied perfume and hairspray. Chemicals in sprays are the #1 enemy of artificial polish.
• Storage: Don’t throw it in a pile. Store it in the box it came in, or wrap it in a soft cloth or tissue. Plastic bags can sometimes trap moisture, which leads to tarnishing.
• Cleaning: Never use water or soap. If it gets dull, just wipe it gently with a dry microfiber cloth (like the one you use for glasses).

Conclusion: Luxury Within Reach

You don’t need to spend your life savings to look like a queen on your big day. The market has evolved, and high-quality artificial jewelry is the smart woman’s choice for 2025.

By focusing on the setting of the stones, the quality of the plating, and matching the metal tone to your dress, you can find treasures online that look just as good as the real thing.