Long before gold-plated imitation jewellery became a wardrobe staple, brass was the metal Indian artisans reached for. It’s warm, workable, and takes detail beautifully — which is exactly why brass jewellery has quietly stayed in fashion for centuries while trends around it have come and gone. At Kala Karigari, brass is one of our most-loved materials, and this guide covers what makes it worth wearing, how it’s made, and how to keep it looking its best.

A Metal With a Long Indian Legacy

Brass — an alloy of copper and zinc — has been used in Indian metalwork for centuries, from temple idols to household vessels to jewellery. Its golden tone made it a natural, affordable substitute for gold jewellery in everyday and festive wear, especially across rural and semi-urban India where brass artisans passed the craft down through generations. That heritage is part of what makes a piece of handcrafted brass jewellery feel different from something mass-produced — it’s carrying forward an actual tradition, not just imitating a look.

Why Choose Brass Jewellery?

It takes detail exceptionally well. Brass is soft enough to be cast, hammered, and engraved into fine, intricate patterns — leaf motifs, filigree, temple-inspired designs — that harder metals can’t replicate as easily.
It’s lightweight for its look. A brass choker or a pair of statement earrings gives you a bold, festive presence without the weight or price of gold.
It pairs naturally with Indian and Indo-western outfits. The warm golden tone complements everything from sarees and lehengas to a simple kurta.
It’s an accessible way to support handicraft artisans. Choosing handcrafted over machine-stamped pieces means your purchase supports the same skilled hands behind India’s metalworking tradition.

How Handcrafted Brass Jewellery Is Made

Most handcrafted brass jewellery starts as raw sheet or wire, which artisans shape by hand or with simple dies — cutting, hammering, and soldering individual elements like leaves, beads, or filigree work into the final design. The piece is then cleaned and polished, and often finished with a plating (gold-polish or an oxidised black-antique finish) to protect the brass and give it its final colour. This is a big part of why two brass pieces with a similar design can still look and feel distinct — hand-finishing means no two pieces are ever perfectly identical, which is part of the charm rather than a flaw.

Gold-Polish vs. Oxidised Brass: What’s the Difference?

You’ll usually see brass jewellery finished in one of two ways:

Gold-polished brass has a bright, warm golden finish — closer to traditional gold jewellery — and works well for weddings, festive wear, and anywhere you want a brighter, more celebratory look.
Oxidised (antique-finish) brass is treated to darken the surface, giving it a rustic, silver-toned, slightly weathered look that pairs beautifully with ethnic and boho styling alike.

Neither is “better” — it comes down to the occasion and the rest of your outfit. Many people keep one of each in rotation.

How to Care for Brass Jewellery

Keep it dry. Remove brass jewellery before swimming, bathing, or heavy sweating — moisture speeds up tarnishing.
Apply perfume and creams first. Chemicals from perfume, deodorant, and lotions are the biggest cause of a dulled finish, so put jewellery on last.
Store it away from air and light. A soft pouch or a closed box slows down natural oxidation far better than leaving pieces out on a tray.
Wipe, don’t scrub. A soft, dry cloth after each wear keeps the polish looking fresh. Avoid harsh jewellery cleaners, which can strip the plating.
A little tarnish is normal — and fixable. Light dulling on oxidised pieces is part of the finish settling in; on gold-polished pieces, a gentle polish with a dry cloth usually restores the shine.

Styling Brass Jewellery

Brass is one of the most versatile materials to style. A statement brass choker necklace set can anchor a festive look on its own, while a pair of long leaf brass earrings adds understated elegance to a simple kurta. For everyday wear, smaller stone-accented pieces like gold-polished stud earrings give you a touch of colour without overwhelming the outfit. If you like bold, architectural shapes, geometric brass earrings are a great way to bring a modern edge to traditional wear.

Explore the full collection of handcrafted brass earrings and brass necklaces at Kala Karigari, each piece made by artisans keeping this centuries-old craft alive.