Jewellery FAQs

It's more precise — symmetry, stone seating and proportions are exact, which handwork alone can't guarantee. But every CAD piece is still hand-set, hand-polished and hand-finished. You get the accuracy of the machine and the warmth of the hand together.

Yes — that's the biggest advantage. We share the 3D model with you and refine it together. You approve the exact design before we cast it in gold, so there are no surprises.

Yes. Some designs — especially traditional and heirloom-style work — are still best made the classic way. We'll recommend whichever method suits your piece, and we're happy to explain why.

Your bill is built from four parts: (today's gold rate per gram × the weight of the piece) + making charges + any stone cost + 3% GST. For example, a 10-gram 22K piece is 10 × today's 22K rate, plus making charges (a percentage of the gold value or a flat rate per gram), plus GST. We itemise every line on the invoice so you can see exactly what you're paying for.

Yes, the gold rate changes daily (sometimes within the day) with global prices and the rupee, so there's no fixed price. Trying to time the exact bottom rarely works; most buyers purchase on dips or spread purchases over time. Akshaya Tritiya and Dhanteras are traditionally popular buying days. Message us on WhatsApp any time for today's rate.

Yes — we have lightweight gold pendants, chains, rings and daily-wear pieces at accessible price points, including options under ₹10,000, plus silver from even less. Tell us your budget and the occasion and we'll show you what fits, or personalise a design to your budget.

'One gram gold jewellery' usually means imitation or gold-plated pieces that use only about a gram of real gold over a base metal — popular for fashion and daily wear at low cost. It is not the same as solid hallmarked gold and holds little resale value. We focus on genuine hallmarked gold, and we'll always be clear about exactly what a piece is.

Gold-plated jewellery is a base metal (like brass or silver) coated with a thin layer of gold. It looks like gold and costs far less, but the plating wears off over time and it carries little resale value. Solid gold is hallmarked (22K or 18K) and keeps its value. Both have their place — the key is knowing which you're buying, and we'll always tell you honestly.

Making charges are the labour cost and vary by design and jeweller — typically 8–25% of the gold value, or a flat rate per gram. Plain pieces cost less to make than intricate ones. To compare fairly, ask each jeweller to itemise gold value, making charges and GST separately, and confirm the piece is BIS-hallmarked. Cheaper making charges on unhallmarked gold is a false saving.

Antique or 'temple' gold jewellery is styled after traditional South Indian and heritage designs — matte-finished, often with intricate motifs, kundan work or temple deities. It's especially popular for bridal and festive wear. We craft antique-style pieces to order, so share a reference and we'll personalise it for you.

The daily gold rate is based on the international spot price (quoted per ounce in US dollars), converted to rupees, plus import duty and 3% GST. Jewellers' associations publish a local rate each morning, so prices move daily with global markets and the rupee. On top of the metal rate you pay making charges for the craftsmanship.

Gold is a proven hedge and a good way to diversify, but jewellery is not the most efficient investment because you also pay making charges, which you don't recover on resale. For pure investment, coins, bars, digital gold or Sovereign Gold Bonds are more cost-effective. Buy jewellery to wear and enjoy; buy coins or bonds purely to invest.

Coins and bars carry much lower making charges than jewellery, so almost all your money goes into gold value — better for investment. Jewellery is worth the making charge only if you will actually wear it. Many families do both: coins for savings, jewellery for occasions.

Culturally, Akshaya Tritiya and Dhanteras are considered the most auspicious days to buy gold. Financially there is no perfect timing — prices move daily — so buying on dips or spreading purchases over time works well. Festival offers can also reduce making charges.

Often, yes — especially the making-charge percentage and any 'wastage', particularly on higher-value or plainer pieces. It never hurts to ask. What should always be transparent is the split: gold value + making charges + GST, itemised clearly on your bill.

Historically gold has held and grown its value over the long term, which is why it is trusted for savings and passed down through generations. Day to day it fluctuates, but hallmarked gold is easy to value and sell. Jewellery resale returns the gold value at the current rate, minus the original making charges.

Digital gold lets you buy small amounts of pure gold online, stored securely, and convert to coins later. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) are government-issued, track the gold price and pay a small interest — a tax-efficient way to invest without storing physical gold. Both are alternatives to buying jewellery purely for investment.

Yes. Since 2021, BIS hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India. Every hallmarked piece carries the BIS mark, the purity in karats (for example 22K916), and a six-digit HUID code. Always insist on a hallmark — it is your guarantee of purity.

HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification — a unique six-digit alphanumeric code stamped on every hallmarked piece. You can verify it free on the BIS Care app or the BIS website, which shows the jeweller, the assaying centre, the purity and the hallmarking date. If a code cannot be verified, do not buy the piece.

The karat number tells you how pure the gold is. 22K is 91.6% pure gold — strong enough for daily wear and the Indian standard for traditional jewellery. 18K is 75% pure, a little more durable, and popular for diamond settings, mangalsutras and modern designs. 14K is 58.5% pure and the most hard-wearing. Pure 24K gold is too soft for jewellery.

Making charges are the labour cost of crafting a piece. They are charged either as a percentage of the gold value (commonly 8–25%) or as a flat rate per gram. Intricate handmade designs cost more than machine-made ones. A trustworthy jeweller shows the bill as gold value plus making charges plus GST, with no hidden 'wastage' charge.

GST on gold jewellery in India is 3% of the total value, which includes the gold and the making charges. It should appear as a clear line item on your bill.

Buyback is the rate at which a jeweller takes back gold you bought from them. Reputable jewellers offer full gold-value buyback on hallmarked jewellery, though you usually forgo the original making charges. Hallmarked gold fetches better rates because its purity is certified. Always ask about the exchange and buyback policy before you buy.

Rarely. 24K is 99.9% pure gold but very soft, so it bends and scratches easily. It is mainly used for coins and bars. Wearable jewellery is usually made in 22K, 18K or 14K.

Look for the BIS hallmark and verify the HUID code on the BIS Care app. Ask for the purity in karats on the bill and buy only from a BIS-registered jeweller. A trusted local jeweller will happily show you the marks and explain them.

They sound alike but measure different things. Karat (K) is the purity of gold — 24K is 99.9% pure, 22K is 91.6% and 18K is 75%. Carat (ct) is the weight of a gemstone such as a diamond, where one carat equals 200 milligrams (0.2 grams). So you might buy a 22K gold ring set with a 1-carat diamond.

The simplest proof is the BIS hallmark and six-digit HUID stamped on the piece, which you can verify free on the BIS Care app. Real gold is not magnetic, does not rust and does not discolour your skin. For certainty on a valuable piece, any jeweller can test purity on a karat meter — don't rely on DIY tests alone.

The reliable way is an independent certificate from a lab such as GIA or IGI. A real diamond disperses light with sharp brilliance and crisp facets, but imitations like cubic zirconia and moissanite can fool the eye. Note that lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds — they are grown rather than mined. When in doubt, have it tested by a jeweller.

Yellow gold is traditional, holds its value and comes in 22K or 18K. Platinum is rarer, heavier, naturally white and hypoallergenic — pricier but very durable. White gold is yellow gold mixed with white metals and rhodium-plated, so it needs re-plating every few years to stay bright. Silver is affordable and lovely for fashion pieces but softer and prone to tarnish. Choose by budget, skin sensitivity and how often you will wear it.

There is no strict rule — it is largely cultural and personal. Engagement and wedding rings are traditionally worn on the fourth 'ring finger', on the left hand in many Western cultures and often the right hand in India. Cocktail and statement rings look great on the index or middle finger. Wear what feels comfortable and right for you.

Ignore the old 'two or three months' salary' rule — that was a marketing slogan, not financial advice. Spend an amount you are genuinely comfortable with. Decide your total budget first, then let the 4Cs and the setting fit it. A well-cut smaller diamond, or a lab-grown stone, can look stunning for far less.

If your skin reacts to jewellery, the usual culprit is nickel. Choose platinum, higher-karat gold (18K or 22K) or 925 sterling silver, and avoid cheap alloys and low-karat white gold that may contain nickel. Platinum and high-purity gold are the safest hypoallergenic options.

It depends on your neckline and the look you want — a princess length (about 43–48 cm) suits almost any outfit and is perfect for a single pendant, while longer matinee and opera lengths flatter high necklines and sarees. See our size guide for the full breakdown, or we will hold the chain against you in-store so you can see exactly how it falls.

Soak it for a few minutes in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, gently brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and bleach. Take delicate or stone-set pieces to your jeweller for professional cleaning.

Use the same gentle method — warm water, mild soap and a soft brush to remove the oils that dull a diamond's sparkle. Try not to touch the stone with your fingers afterwards. For a deeper clean, a jeweller can ultrasonically clean and re-polish it.

The most reliable way is to have your finger measured on a ring sizer at a jeweller. At home, you can measure the inner diameter of a ring that already fits well. Remember fingers swell in heat and shrink in cold, so measure at a normal temperature and time of day.

Store pieces separately in a lined box or soft pouches so they do not scratch each other — diamonds can scratch gold and softer stones. Keep them dry and away from perfume and cosmetics, and put your jewellery on last when getting ready.

Usually yes. Most jewellers let you exchange old gold or an old piece towards a new one, adjusting for the current gold rate and purity. Hallmarked jewellery gets better value. You can also redesign an heirloom into something you will actually wear — ask about melt-and-remake options.

For high-value pieces, yes. Jewellery can be added to a home-contents policy or insured separately. Keep your bills, certificates and photographs as proof of value. It is especially worth it for bridal sets and solitaires.

Have frequently worn pieces — especially rings and anything set with stones — checked about once a year. A jeweller will tighten settings, re-polish, and re-plate rose or white gold so pieces stay secure and keep looking new.

In most cases, yes. Rings can usually be sized up or down, chains shortened or lengthened, and older pieces restyled. Bring the piece in and we will tell you what is possible. It is one of the most common things we do at our Camp, Pune workshop.

The 4Cs are Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. Cut affects sparkle the most and should not be compromised. Colour is graded from D (colourless) to Z. Clarity measures internal flaws. Carat is the weight. Balancing the four to your budget is the key to a beautiful stone.

A certificate from an independent lab verifies your diamond's 4Cs, so you know exactly what you are paying for. GIA and IGI are the most widely trusted. For lab-grown diamonds, IGI is the practical industry standard. Always ask for the certificate on any diamond of meaningful size.

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural ones — both are real diamonds and both rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. The only difference is origin: one is grown in a lab over weeks, the other formed in the earth over billions of years. Lab-grown costs significantly less, so you can choose a larger stone for the same budget.

They have some resale value, but less than natural diamonds, so they are best seen as beautiful everyday jewellery rather than an investment. Natural diamonds tend to hold value better over time. Many jewellers offer exchange or buyback at a set percentage — always ask the policy before buying.

It varies widely with the 4Cs and whether the stone is natural or lab-grown. A 1-carat lab-grown diamond of good cut and clarity can cost roughly ₹30,000–₹50,000, while an equivalent natural diamond costs several times more. Your budget and priorities decide which makes sense.

Yes. 3% GST applies to diamond jewellery, shown on your bill along with the making charges.

Diamonds are hard but can still chip on a sharp knock and collect grease that dulls their sparkle. Clean them with warm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush, store pieces separately so they do not scratch one another, and have the settings checked periodically so the stones stay secure.

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds, identical in every physical and chemical way to mined ones. They are not the same as imitations such as cubic zirconia or moissanite, which are different materials altogether.