26 June 2026·7 min read
How to Buy Jewellery Online in India Without Getting Burned
Online jewellery listings compete on images, and images tell you nothing about the two things that decide whether a piece survives: the base metal and how the stones are held.
Ask what the base metal is
If a listing will not say, assume the worst. Nickel-bearing alloys are cheap and are what cause green skin and rashes.
'Nickel-free brass' or 'sterling silver base' is a real answer. 'Alloy' is not.
Ask whether the finish is sealed
Plating thickness is rarely disclosed honestly, but sealing is a yes-or-no question. An anti-tarnish seal is the single strongest predictor of whether a plated piece still looks good in six months.
A seller who can answer this immediately is a seller who knows their manufacturing.
Check how the stones are held
Zoom into the product image. If you can see a bead of adhesive or the stone sits in a smooth cup with no visible metal over its edge, it is glued.
Prongs are visible in photographs. So is glue, if you look at the full-resolution image rather than the thumbnail.
Read the sizing information, not the size chart
A ring size chart is useless without inner circumference in millimetres or centimetres. Indian, US and UK sizing are not consistently mapped across sellers.
For chains, look for length in centimetres. 'Standard' means nothing.
Read the returns policy before the reviews
Bespoke and personalised pieces are usually non-returnable, which is reasonable. What is not reasonable is a blanket no-returns policy on stock items.
Look for a clear window and a stated process. Vagueness here is the most reliable warning sign in the category.
Message the seller before ordering
Ask one specific question about the piece. The speed and specificity of the reply tells you what a post-purchase problem will feel like.
Good brands, as we do, will walk you through sizing before you buy. That conversation is free and prevents most exchanges.
Frequently asked
- Is it safe to buy jewellery online in India?
- Yes, if the seller discloses base metal, plating and sizing in real units, and has a stated returns process. Vagueness on any of those three is the warning sign.
- How do I know if online jewellery will turn my skin green?
- Ask whether the base is nickel-free and whether the finish is sealed. Both answers together predict it better than price does.
- Should I buy demi-fine jewellery online?
- Yes, if the seller states base metal, finish and sizing in real units and will answer questions before you buy.
