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
GJEPC Marks Commencement Of Construction Of India Jewellery Park Mumbai, A Landmark Project In Presence Of Hon’ble CM Devendra Fadnavis
- Phase 1 to cover 24.97 lakh sq. ft. of construction area; landmark project aims to strengthen India’s jewellery manufacturing ecosystem, attract investment and create employment opportunities
- Manufacturing spaces for large and medium units will offer floor plates ranging from 1,000 to 25,000 sq. ft., catering to businesses of different scales.
- Prices starts from Rs. 10400/sq. ft., zero stamp duty and zero transfer charges.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) today marked a historic milestone in the development of India Jewellery Park Mumbai (IJPM) with the commencement of construction at Mahape, Navi Mumbai. The ceremony marks the transition of this long-cherished industry vision into the construction phase, bringing India’s ambition to establish a world-class, integrated jewellery manufacturing hub a significant step closer to reality.
The ceremony was attended by Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Ganesh Naik, Hon’ble Minister for Forests, Government of Maharashtra; Mandatai Mhatre, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Belapur Constituency, Navi Mumbai; Dr. P. Anbalagan, Principal Secretary (Industries, Investment & Services) and CEO, Invest Maharashtra, Government of Maharashtra; Deependra Kushwah, CEO, MIDC; Sandeep Ganesh Naik, Former member of legislative assembly, Maharashtra; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Anil Virani, Convener, Audit & Finance, GJEPC; Anoop Mehta, Project Convener, India Jewellery Park Mumbai; Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, National Gems & Jewellery Council of India; Rajesh Rokde, Chairman, GJC; Colin Shah, former Chairman, GJEPC; Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and MD, PNG Jewellers; Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC and Sanjiv Sharma, Director, ACIL.



Spread across 21.30 acres in Mahape, Navi Mumbai, India Jewellery Park Mumbai is planned with a total construction area of approximately 65.61 lakh sq. ft. and a carpet area of 34.35 lakh sq. ft. The development will comprise 10 blocks: eight blocks for large and medium manufacturing units, one block for small manufacturing units and one block for commercial offices. Manufacturing spaces for large and medium units will offer floor plates ranging from 1,000 to 25,000 sq. ft., catering to businesses of different scales. Prices start from Rs. 10400/sq. ft., zero stamp duty and zero transfer charges.
Phase 1 will cover four blocks—A4, A5, A6 and A7—with a planned construction area of 24.97 lakh sq. ft. and a carpet area of 13.32 lakh sq. ft. All statutory approvals have been obtained and bank financing has been approved.
Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra said:
“The India Jewellery Park Mumbai is the future of our gem and jewellery industry. With the commencement of construction, we are taking a decisive step towards creating world-class infrastructure that will strengthen manufacturing, attract investments and generate employment. With an estimated investment potential of Rs 50,000 crore and the capacity to create around one lakh direct and indirect jobs, the Park will be a major catalyst for Maharashtra’s economic growth.

As India expands its global trade partnerships through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with key markets, our industry stands to gain new opportunities for exports, market access and international collaboration. The India Jewellery Park Mumbai will provide the infrastructure and ecosystem needed to seize these opportunities and take Indian jewellery manufacturing to greater heights. Maharashtra is committed to supporting this growth through progressive policies, a business-friendly environment and strong infrastructure. Together with GJEPC, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive and globally connected gem and jewellery industry.”
Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra said:

“India Jewellery Park Mumbai is a landmark project that will give fresh impetus to Maharashtra’s economic growth. From Zaveri Bazaar, SEEPZ to Bharat Diamond Bourse, Maharashtra has built a strong legacy in this industry. India Jewellery Park Mumbai will take that legacy forward by bringing manufacturing, skilled artisans, design, technology and innovation together under one roof.
Our artisans and skilled designers are the backbone of this industry. Through skill development, we will create new opportunities for our youth, empower our workforce and help our manufacturers compete on the global stage. This is not just a project for the gem and jewellery industry; it is an important step towards building a stronger, more self-reliant Maharashtra.”
Ganesh Naik, Minister of Forests, Government of Maharashtra said:
“Maharashtra has always been at the forefront of India’s economic and industrial growth. The India Jewellery Park Mumbai (IJPM) in Navi Mumbai will be a major milestone in strengthening the state’s position as a global hub for the gems and jewellery industry. With the support of the government and industry stakeholders, this landmark project will create new opportunities for investment, employment and growth, while giving a strong boost to the sector. IJPM will contribute to Maharashtra’s economic progress and help realise the vision of a developed India, as envisaged by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi under Viksit Bharat.”

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC said:

“India Jewellery Park Mumbai will be a game-changer for India’s gem and jewellery industry. By bringing manufacturers, artisans and allied services under one roof, it will create new opportunities for MSMEs, encourage investment, generate employment and strengthen India’s jewellery manufacturing capabilities. With the support of the Maharashtra Government and the incentives offered under the Maharashtra Gems and Jewellery Policy 2025, the Park will help businesses grow, promote Indian jewellery brands and enhance our competitiveness in global markets.
It will be an important step towards achieving India’s ambitious gem and jewellery export targets and establishing Brand India as a global symbol of craftsmanship, quality and innovation.”
The project will benefit from the Maharashtra Government’s policy support for the gem and jewellery sector. Incentives outlined for eligible units include stamp duty and MIDC transfer fee exemptions, a 50% SGST waiver for the specified eligibility period, electricity duty exemptions and interest subsidies on term loans for MSMEs. Eligible lab-grown diamond units may also benefit from electricity tariff support, subject to the applicable conditions. A single-window clearance mechanism under the MAITRI policy is intended to simplify approvals and improve the ease of doing business.
The project has already generated encouraging interest from industry participants, with more than 70 companies expressing interest in investing in the Park. This response reflects industry confidence in the project’s potential and the opportunity to build a modern, globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem in Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra Government’s dedicated Gems and Jewellery Policy 2025 further strengthens the investment proposition by providing sector-specific support. The Park is expected to facilitate business expansion, create opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers, and strengthen the network of ancillary services that support jewellery manufacturing.
As construction commences, GJEPC has called upon manufacturers, jewellery businesses and other industry stakeholders to participate in the project and explore opportunities to establish their units at the Park. The development is intended to serve as a shared industry asset—one that supports the next phase of growth in Indian jewellery manufacturing and enhances the country’s global competitiveness.
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