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.”
DiamondBuzz
Jewelbox Expects Festive Momentum as Consumers Embrace Versatile Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery
In an exclusive JewelBuzz interview, Vidita Kochar Jain, Co-founder, Jewelbox, shares insights on festive jewellery demand, evolving consumer preferences, the growing acceptance of lab-grown diamonds and the brand’s latest personalised diamond offering, Signed Diamonds
Jewelbox, a contemporary lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, is witnessing an evolving jewellery consumption landscape, with consumers increasingly prioritising versatile designs, personal expression and value. As festive and wedding purchases gain momentum, the brand sees growing opportunities in everyday fine jewellery, gifting and personalised diamond offerings.

In an exclusive interview with JewelBuzz, Vidita Kochar Jain, Co-Founder, Jewelbox, discusses expectations for the current festive season, changing consumer sentiment, the growing appeal of lab-grown diamonds and the brand’s latest festive offering, Signed Diamonds, which brings a personal touch to diamond jewellery.
Jb: What are your expectations with regard to jewellery sales during the current festive season?
Vidita Kochar : Every year, the festive season is a strong period for jewellery consumption, with both gifting and self-purchases contributing to demand. Jewellery continues to hold a unique position in Indian celebrations, but the nature of consumption is evolving. Customers are increasingly looking beyond traditional occasion-led purchases towards versatile pieces that can be worn regularly. At Jewelbox, we expect lab-grown diamond jewellery to benefit from this shift, particularly in categories such as everyday fine jewellery, statement pieces and gifting. We remain optimistic about festive demand and expect to see sustained momentum across our retail and digital channels.


Jb: What is the current consumer sentiment regarding jewellery purchases?
Vidita Kochar: Consumer sentiment towards jewellery remains encouraging, although purchasing behaviour is becoming increasingly discerning. Customers are placing greater emphasis on design differentiation, product quality, versatility and the overall value proposition. There is also a discernible shift towards self-purchasing, with consumers increasingly viewing jewellery as a personal expression rather than an occasion-led purchase. Within this evolving landscape, lab-grown diamonds are finding greater acceptance, particularly among younger consumers who appreciate the ability to access fine jewellery across a wider range of designs and price points.
Jb: Are you launching any festive or wedding collections this season? If yes, please share the details?
Vidita Kochar: At Jewelbox, our focus this season is on offering jewellery that brings together contemporary design, versatility and craftsmanship. Our collections cater to festive celebrations as well as weddings, with designs that transition effortlessly from special occasions to everyday wear.
With changing consumer preferences reshaping the jewellery landscape, versatility, personalisation and design-led offerings are emerging as important purchase drivers.


Jewelbox’s focus on contemporary lab-grown diamond jewellery and innovative concepts such as Signed Diamonds reflects its approach to connecting with the evolving expectations of modern consumers. As the festive and wedding seasons bring renewed opportunities for the industry, the brand remains focused on making diamond jewellery more accessible, expressive and meaningful.
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