Home / Business and Economy / Jewelers Adapt to High Gold Prices with Lightweight, Low-Karat Offerings
Jewelers Adapt to High Gold Prices with Lightweight, Low-Karat Offerings
29 Jul
Summary
- Jewelers push lightweight, low-karat and studded pieces as gold prices remain firm
- 9-karat gold hallmarking boosts demand for budget-friendly jewelry options
- Studded jewelry with more gemstones than gold gains favor among younger consumers

Jewellery retailers in India are currently adapting to the persistently high gold prices by pushing lightweight, low-karat and studded pieces. This shift in strategy comes as gold sales by volume fell by a record 60% in June, the steepest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organized players, such as Titan, Kalyan Jewellers, Senco, and Malabar Gold and Diamonds, are experimenting with 18-karat plain gold and 14-karat studded jewellery, moving away from the traditional 22-karat and 18-karat offerings. The government's recent move to hallmark 9-karat gold jewellery has also provided a boost, as it caters to budget-conscious consumers whose budgets are within the Rs 50,000-Rs 1 lakh range.
Additionally, the preference for studded jewellery, which includes a higher proportion of gemstones than gold, has been on the rise in the last few years, particularly among Gen Z and millennial consumers. Jewelers say this trend is driven by the demand for trendy, everyday wear that is also light on the pocket.