National News
Retail Gold Sales Drop 25% Amid Rising Prices, Lightweight Jewelry in Demand
A 4% rise in gold prices in March has led to a significant 25% decline in retail gold sales at jewelers and a 60% drop in Zaveri Bazaar. Indian families with upcoming weddings are feeling the pinch of higher gold prices, turning to lighter, lower-carat jewelry to meet bridal jewelry demands. Despite this, demand is expected to pick up during Akshay Tritiya in April, though lightweight jewelry remains the preferred choice.
Gold prices saw a near-4% increase in the first half of March, bringing down retail sales by 25% compared to the same period last year. Zaveri Bazaar, a hub where retail jewellers buy bullion and jewelry in bulk, saw a 60% drop in sales.
Senco Gold & Diamonds, Joy Alukkas, PNG Jewellers, Mamraj Musaddilal Jewellers, and senior executives from the India Bullion & Jewellers Association mentioned that Indian families, especially those with weddings planned for the upcoming season, are stressed by the escalating prices. As a result, they are opting for lightweight jewelry, as high prices make it difficult to stick to the traditional gold jewelry budgets.

Suvankar Sen, the chief of Senco Gold, shared that sales of small-ticket gold jewelry in the ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 price range have dried up. “The high prices are keeping customers away from spending on gold,” he said. On March 18, gold was priced at ₹88,256 per 10 gm in the physical market, with a 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST), pushing the cost to ₹90,903 per 10 gm.
“Those who have weddings in the family are buying lightweight jewellery as they cannot stretch the budget. Demand has dropped by 15% beginning from March and if this rally continues, the recovery in demand may not happen. The next big sales can only happen during Akshay Tritiya, which falls on April 30,” said the MD of Senco Gold & Diamond.
Despite the rise in prices, the demand has remained sluggish in South India too. “Compared to last March, demand is down by up to 25%. While the high price is a big factor in this demand drop, other things like board exams have slowed down demand as well,” said Baby George, CEO of Joy Alukkas.
Saurabh Gadgil, chairman of PNG Jewellers, also highlighted the shift in preferences. “People are buying lightweight jewellery, and many are exchanging old gold jewellery with new ones. The volumes are getting impacted but value-wise the jewellers are not facing any issue.”


Avinash Gupta, partner at Hyderabad-based Mamraj Musaddilal Jewellers, noted that while demand has softened, it hasn’t reached alarming levels. “Demand will bounce back in April due to weddings and Akshaya Tritiya, but definitely the preference will shift to lightweight and lower caratage jewellery.”
National News
Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse Poised To Transform Global Coloured Gemstone Trade
Backed By Rajasthan Government and CIBJO, The Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse Aims To Become The World’s Leading Hub For Coloured Gemstone Trade, Sourcing and Innovation.
As global demand for coloured gemstones continues to surge, industry leaders are positioning the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse (JGJB) as a transformative initiative that could redefine the future of international coloured gemstone trade, sourcing, and distribution.
Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation, accompanied by Shri Pramod Agrawal, Chairman of the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse and Vice President, CIBJO, met Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma. The discussions focused on the transformative role of the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse in strengthening Jaipur’s position as the global capital of coloured gemstones.
During the meeting, Cavalieri thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Government of Rajasthan for their vision and support in advancing the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse, noting that the project will benefit the global coloured gemstone industry by creating a transparent, organised and internationally connected marketplace.
A major driving force behind the project has been the proactive support extended by the Government of Rajasthan, which has played a crucial role in facilitating the development process. The land allotment through RIICO, and continued engagement under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) reflect the State Government’s vision of positioning Rajasthan as a premier global jewellery and gemstone destination.
Expressing his gratitude to the Rajasthan Government, Pramod Agrawal, Chairman of the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse and Vice President, CIBJO, said:

“Our meeting with Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma reaffirmed the Rajasthan Government’s strong support for the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse. The Hon’ble Chief Minister assured us of the Government’s support in providing the infrastructure, policy support, skilling initiatives and investment ecosystem required to realise this landmark project. This gives the industry tremendous confidence as we move towards creating a world-class hub that will strengthen Jaipur’s position as the global capital of coloured gemstones.”
“Through strong collaboration between industry, government and global stakeholders, the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse has the potential to become a catalyst for trade expansion, investment, innovation, employment and sustainable growth across the gemstone value chain,” added Pramod Agrawal.
Jaipur already occupies a unique position in the global gemstone value chain, processing and trading a significant share of the world’s coloured gemstones. The Bourse seeks to elevate this leadership by bringing together manufacturers, traders, international buyers, sourcing offices, laboratories, logistics providers, auction facilities, technology partners and support services within a single world-class platform.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC said:

“Jaipur’s unmatched expertise in coloured gemstones has made it a cornerstone of the global gem and jewellery industry for centuries. The Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse will strengthen India’s leadership in the global coloured gemstone trade by creating a world-class ecosystem that connects heritage, craftsmanship and international commerce.”
Raju Agarwal Mangodiwala, President, The Jewellers Association, Jaipur, said :

“The Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse reflects the collective vision of Jaipur’s gem and jewellery fraternity. We are proud to support an initiative that will empower our artisans, traders and entrepreneurs while strengthening Jaipur’s global position.”
Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO, described the initiative as one of global significance and a timely response to evolving market dynamics.

“The market is requesting increasing quantities of coloured gemstones, particularly quality gemstones, and Jaipur has always been one of the world’s most important centres for the coloured gemstone trade. The establishment of the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse responds directly to this growing demand by creating an organised, transparent and responsible trading environment.”
Emphasising the international relevance of the project, Cavalieri added: “This is not something related only to India. It is something related to the world through Jaipur and through India. The Bourse has the potential to become a reference point for the global coloured gemstone industry by bringing together trade, services, sustainability and traceability within a single ecosystem.”
Cavalieri further noted that the Bourse would strengthen confidence across the supply chain by promoting responsible business practices, transparency, sustainability and traceability — principles that are becoming increasingly important for consumers, brands and retailers worldwide.
Industry leaders believe the project will create significant opportunities for international buyers, jewellery manufacturers, luxury brands and gemstone traders seeking efficient access to high-quality coloured gemstones through an organised marketplace. The concentration of services and infrastructure is also expected to improve business efficiency, accelerate trade flows and foster greater collaboration across the global industry.
The Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse is being developed as the world’s first dedicated bourse exclusively for coloured gemstones and coloured gemstone-studded jewellery. Planned facilities include more than 1,750 trading offices and kiosks, customs facilitation, gem-testing laboratories, auction facilities and a comprehensive range of trade support services.
As the coloured gemstone capital of the world, Jaipur is uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of growth in the global gemstone industry. With growing international support and a shared vision among industry stakeholders, the Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse is expected to emerge as the world’s leading destination for coloured gemstone sourcing, trading, innovation, education and industry collaboration.
The Jaipur Gem & Jewellery Bourse, jointly promoted by GJEPC and the Jewellers Association Jaipur (JAJ), is expected to generate around 60,000 additional jobs and create a modern ecosystem that bridges Jaipur’s centuries-old gemstone craftsmanship with modern international trade and business standards.
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