More designs, lower price; nine-carat gold, what a demand!

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the price of gold crossing the lakh mark, there is a huge demand for nine-carat jewellery. Although it cannot be pledged in the bank, it has a resale value. One sovereign is only about forty-five thousand rupees.

As demand increased, these have found their place in leading jewellers. They have more shine and colour than 22-carat gold. The new generation is more fond of them.

9-carat jewelry was already a trend in the US and European countries. With the increase in gold prices, it has also become a trend in North India. Last July, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) had also brought 9-carat gold under the hallmarking scope.

Price yesterday (per gram)

22 carat..........14,600,

18 carat......... 11,946

9 carat...........5,586

👉 Safe despite less gold

9 carats contain only 37.5 percent gold. The rest is other metals including copper and silver. It is safe for those who wear gold daily. The labour cost is high.

'This trend has started only recently. It is likely to continue.'

M.S. Suhas,

MD, Bhima Jewellery