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.”
BrandBuzz
Verlas Introduces the ‘Alyssa’ Collection in India, Bringing Modern Luxe Floral-Inspired Design to Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Crafted in Fine Gold
The New York-born brand channels statement floral designs in modern silhouettes and larger carat diamond brilliance into a collection made for weddings, engagements, cocktail evenings, and wedding Trousseau Picks.
Verlas, the New York-based fine jewelry brand, has brought its luxurious Alyssa collection to India, a floral-inspired range of contemporary designs crafted with IGI-Certified lab-grown diamonds and BIS hallmarked gold in 14K and 9K Gold variants. Built around larger carat weights and romantic floral design, the collection pairs statement sparkle with Verlas’ commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. Since its founding in 2019, Verlas has focused on modern, considered jewelry designed to feel personal and meaningful, handcrafted by skilled artisans in VS clarity lab-grown diamonds set in fine gold.
Inspired by blooming florals, the Alyssa collection translates nature’s motifs into refined diamond jewelry designed for everyday moments in the form of elegant pendant necklaces and Studs designed with florets of round-cut and marquise-cut diamonds, and then there are these luxe styles that call for something more. For bigger celebrations to evening dressing, these luxe designs are crafted with marquise and round-cut diamonds in hoops and dangler earrings, unique tennis bracelets and tennis necklace designs that embrace the designer craftsmanship of Verlas. The Alyssa collection brings signature brilliance to a range of personal styles.
For the modern bride, Alyssa brings together jewelry for every part of her journey—from the engagement and big day to her trousseau, bridesmaids and the little moments beyond. Fashion-forward yet effortlessly elegant, each design is crafted to make a statement today and stay in her rotation long after the celebrations are over.

Among the highlights are the Alyssa Cuatro Floral Hoops, featuring five round lab-grown diamonds arranged in a delicate floret on a solid gold hoop. For a softer, more elegant look, these round-cut diamonds bring a classic appeal – perfect for those who prefer understated sparkle.

If bold and distinctive is more your style, the Alyssa Tres Marquise Diamond Huggies bring an elongated floral silhouette with marquise-cut diamond petals.

The Alyssa Radiant Bloom Ring offers another take on the floral motif, bringing together round-cut diamonds for a radiant, feminine look.

Meanwhile, the Alyssa Trio Marquise Bouquet Ring takes a bolder approach, featuring three diamond florets crafted with marquise diamond petals. Whether you lean towards the elegant simplicity of round cuts or the bolder character of marquise cuts, the Alyssa collection offers a floral style to match.

The Alyssa Marquise Studs bring a fresh take on florals, with marquise-cut diamonds forming an X-shaped motif around a round centre. Easy enough for everyday, yet special enough for evenings out, they’re the kind of pair you’ll keep reaching for.

For a little more sparkle, the Alyssa Marquise-Cut Floral Tennis Bracelet makes a statement without feeling reserved for just one occasion. Its floral diamond motifs bring a touch of drama to wedding celebrations, festive evenings and everything in between.

And when you’re ready to go all out, the Alyssa Marquise Radiant Tennis Necklace takes the floral story up a notch. With twenty-three diamond florets and a total weight of 13 carats, it brings together marquise-cut petals and round diamond centres for a look made to shine at the wedding, reception, or your next big celebration.
Available in white, yellow, and rose gold in 14K and 9K, the Alyssa collection reflects Verlas philosophy of creating jewelry that is beautiful, meaningful, and responsibly crafted. Perfect for elevating bridal looks and everyday romance alike.
With its growing presence in India, Verlas continues to bring its modern design and craftsmanship approach to fine jewelry to new audiences, combining considered design, conscious choice, and a more approachable jewelry experience.
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