Why Smart Wedding Guests Are Switching to Imitation Jewellery in 2026 (And Where We Shop in Delhi)
It's that time of the year again. Your phone is full of wedding invites — a cousin's shaadi, a college friend's sangeet, your neighbour's daughter's reception, and somehow three more you already said yes to. Four or five weddings in one season isn't unusual anymore, and that means four or five different looks, four or five different outfits, and — if you're not careful — four or five separate jewellery bills that quietly add up to a small fortune.
This is exactly the math that's pushing smart, style-conscious buyers toward imitation and Kundan jewellery instead of real gold and diamonds. And if there's one market in Delhi that understands this shift better than anyone, it's Janpath, Connaught Place — where Ramaya has been dressing brides, guests, and everyone in between since 1970.
The Real Cost of "One Wedding, One New Set"
Gold rates have only climbed year after year, and diamonds were never meant to be an every-season purchase. If you buy a real gold necklace set for every wedding function, you're easily looking at lakhs by the time the season ends — money that's now locked away in a vault, worn twice, and rarely touched again.
Imitation jewellery flips this equation completely. A stunning, photograph-ready Kundan necklace set, a gold-plated choker, or a statement pearl mala can cost a fraction of the real thing — often just a few thousand rupees — while looking every bit as rich under wedding lighting and camera flashes. You get to change your entire look for every function: heavy Kundan for the sangeet, a delicate necklace for the mehendi, a bold statement earring for the reception — without touching your savings.
Why Janpath, Connaught Place Is Still the Heart of Delhi's Jewellery Shopping
Ask any Delhiite where to buy wedding jewellery on a budget, and Janpath comes up almost instantly. It's not a new trend — this market has been the city's go-to destination for imitation and fashion jewellery for decades, long before "affordable luxury" became a buzzword. The energy of CP, the sheer variety, and the trust built over generations is something online-only brands simply can't replicate.
Ramaya has been part of that Janpath story since 1970. What started as a single store in Connaught Place has grown into a name Delhi trusts across generations — from mothers who bought their wedding jewellery here decades ago to daughters now building their own collections. Our original store still stands at Shop Number 5, Janpath, Connaught Place, New Delhi, and today you'll also find us at Ambience Mall Gurgaon, Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, and DLF Mall of India in Noida — with everything also available on our full jewellery collection online, with pan-India delivery and UAE shipping too.
What Makes a Kundan Set Worth Buying
Not all imitation jewellery is created equal, and if you're investing even a few thousand rupees, it's worth knowing what separates a good piece from one that tarnishes after two wears.
- Finish and plating – A well-made gold-plated or Kundan piece should have an even, rich finish with no visible base metal peeking through at the edges.
- Weight and comfort – Premium Kundan sets are surprisingly lightweight for how elaborate they look, making them wearable through long wedding functions.
- Stone setting – Look for securely set stones with no loose movement; this is usually the first sign of quality (or the lack of it).
- Versatility – The best sets can be dressed up for a sangeet or toned down for a day function, giving you more mileage from one purchase.
This is where a best-selling, premium quality collection built specifically for Indian wedding functions makes all the difference — you're not just buying a piece, you're buying something designed to photograph well, hold up through a full day of dancing, and still look new for the next wedding on your calendar.
A few pieces from our own Kundan edit show exactly what this looks like in practice — the Mint Green Polki Bridal Choker Necklace Set for a fresh, non-traditional bridal palette, the Punchlada Diamond Step Necklace for a layered statement look, and the Polki Kundan Multi-Tier Bridal Choker Set for a full-on heavy bridal moment.
Building Your Wedding-Season Jewellery Wardrobe
Instead of buying one expensive set and repeating it at every function (we've all spotted that in wedding photos), think of imitation jewellery as building a wardrobe:
- Kundan necklace sets for the big functions — sangeet, wedding day, reception
- Statement earrings for outfits where the neckline does the talking, or dangle & drop earrings for a lighter, all-day-wear option
- Necklaces from our everyday-to-festive range for simpler functions like haldi or mehendi
- Party wear sets for a more traditional, festive look at sangeets and receptions
- Bracelets to complete the look without overspending on the main piece
And once the wedding season winds down, the same collections work for everyday wear too — our office and daily-wear jewellery range is built for exactly that transition.
Mixing and matching from these categories means you genuinely never repeat a look through the entire wedding season — and your total spend still stays lower than one real gold set.
Shop the Collection
Explore our most-loved pieces, all designed and curated at our Janpath store and now available online:
- Kundan Necklace Sets
- Necklaces
- Statement Earrings
- Dangle & Drop Earrings
- Bracelets
- Party Wear Sets
- Office & Daily-Wear Jewellery
FAQs
1. Is imitation jewellery good for weddings, or does it look fake in photos?
Good quality imitation jewellery, especially Kundan and gold-plated sets, actually photographs beautifully. Wedding photography lighting tends to favour bold, well-finished pieces, and most guests won't be able to tell the difference from real gold in pictures.
2. How many jewellery sets do I actually need for wedding season?
For 4-5 weddings, most people find 2-3 versatile sets enough — one heavier Kundan set for the main functions, one lighter set for daytime events, and a couple of statement earrings or a mala to mix and match.
3. Will gold-plated jewellery tarnish quickly?
Quality matters a lot here. Well-made gold-plated pieces with proper plating thickness can last through multiple wedding seasons with basic care — keeping them away from perfume, sweat, and moisture, and storing them in a soft pouch.
4. Where can I buy trusted imitation jewellery in Delhi?
Janpath in Connaught Place has been Delhi's hub for imitation and fashion jewellery for decades. Ramaya has been trusted since 1970, with stores at Janpath CP, Ambience Mall Gurgaon, Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, and DLF Mall of India, plus online delivery across India and the UAE.
5. What's the price difference between imitation and real gold jewellery sets?
While real gold sets can run into lakhs depending on weight and design, a premium imitation Kundan or gold-plated set typically costs a few thousand rupees — letting you buy multiple looks for the price of one real gold piece.
6. Can I wear the same imitation jewellery set for different types of weddings (day vs night functions)?
Yes, if chosen well. Kundan and stone-studded sets suit evening functions like sangeet and reception, while simpler pendant necklaces or pearl mala work better for daytime events like haldi or mehendi.
If your wedding season calendar is already looking full, let your jewellery do the work without draining your wallet. Visit us at Shop Number 5, Janpath, Connaught Place, or shop the full collection online. Not sure which set suits your function? Message us on WhatsApp and our team will help you pick — Ramaya, Delhi's trusted jewellery partner since 1970.