While buying jewellery is considered an emotional purchase, in essence, it is linked with financial decision-making as well.
Gold jewellery, in particular, is a product where consumer spending, commodity, and financial value are intertwined.
While the aesthetic appeal of jewellery is a major attraction, the actual cost of jewellery is linked with several factors. This includes gold prices, manufacturing costs, tax, and profit margin.
In recent times, with a rise in gold prices and increased demand for jewellery during wedding seasons, buying jewellery is no longer a cost-effective option for buyers.
As a result, if you have been buying gold for some time, then you already know how the gold jewellery market functions.
Also, this means that you are in a better position to make a better decision financially. But for first-timers, it is nearly impossible to figure things out.
And trust me, I’ve been there. It's not a good feeling, much like how lost all of us have felt on our first day at some bank.
So here I am with my DIY jewellery buying guide - it’s small, easy to follow, and super convenient for beginners.
Stay tuned.
Jewellery Buying Guide: 5 Things Every Buyer Should Know
Before walking into any jewellery store for the first time, there are a few things you should know about.
For me, transparent pricing, authenticity, and sustainability are crucial factors when I buy anything expensive. Why? Because the point is to ensure long-term return and value.
With gold pricing remaining steadily high for years, staying aware is essential. And on that note, let’s check out the five most crucial factors that every buyer should be aware of:
1. Check The Latest Gold Prices Before Buying:
Gold prices are constantly fluctuating as they are affected by international commodity exchanges.
Economic factors, such as inflation, currency exchange, interest rate, and political factors, can influence the gold price.
The prices in a jewellery store are usually based on the gold rate in the international market. Therefore, the original price of a gold jewellery product depends on the fluctuating gold prices.
If the gold price rises in the international market, the prices in a jewellery store will rise in response.
Furthermore, the prices of gold may vary slightly in the major cities of India according to the local taxes levied on the product.
For example, the prices of gold may vary in cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad. Therefore, the current gold rate in Bangalore and the gold rate in Hyderabad may differ for the same day.
2. Understand Gold Purity And Certification:
The purity of gold is normally expressed in terms of karats. FYI, karats refer to the amount of gold in the jewellery.
Gold is normally pure at 24K, although it is mostly 22K, 18K, and 14K depending on its durability and design.
Also, any jewellery buying guide will tell you that 22K gold is used for making jewellery because of its purity and durability.
Gold with 18K and 14K content contains more metals, making it easy for people to use them because they are not likely to get scratched.
It is always advisable to check for a hallmark before buying any gold jewellery. This is because a hallmark is a quality seal that ensures you get exactly what you are paying for.
Knowing the content of gold is essential because gold jewellery with pure gold content is more valuable than that with lower karat content.
In addition, genuine gold jewellery is always certified by the relevant authorities, such as the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). These factors will help you procure original jewelry that will last longer.
3. Understand Making Charges:
Many customers believe that the price of jewellery is based on the value of the gold used. In fact, a major part of the price is often the making charges.
Making charges are the cost that goes into designing the jewellery.
This cost varies depending on the intricacy of the design, the expertise needed for creating the jewellery, and the brand image of the jewellery shop.
Jewellery stores may charge customers in two different ways. Either by charging a fixed amount per gram or by charging a percentage based on the value of the gold used.
This percentage may be high for intricate or designer pieces of jewellery.
As the making charges are generally irrecoverable in a resale scenario, the buyer should try to determine the value for money that is being spent.
4. Consider Taxes And Extra Costs:
Apart from the price of gold or making charges, you also need to consider taxes or other cost components.
In India, 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applicable while purchasing gold jewellery. GST is levied on both the price of gold and the making charges (5%) while purchasing jewellery.
In addition, jewellers may charge wastage charges, especially for intricate designs, as they may require more gold for making such jewellery pieces.
Similarly, for jewellery containing diamonds and gems, different price structures may apply for these stones as well.
It is important for buyers to understand these factors in order to avoid any confusion during the actual billing for the purchase.
It is recommended that buyers request a detailed bill for their purchase, clearly indicating different components of cost, i.e., gold value, making charges, taxes, etc.
5. Think About Resale And Liquidity Value:
Jewellery is not only an ornament but also an investment, so the resale or liquidity value of the jewellery is also an important factor to be considered.
But not all types of jewellery have the same resale value. Simple gold jewellery tends to have a higher resale value since the value depends on the purity of the gold.
On the other hand, heavily studded or designer jewellery may not have the same resale value since the value of the gems may not be taken into account.
Prior to purchasing, consumers should also be aware of the return policies of the store that is selling them the product.
Established stores offer buyback schemes that enable consumers to sell their products based on the value of gold that is currently available in the market.
By understanding these policies, consumers are able to remain flexible and ensure that their product retains value over time.
