AFFORDABLE IS THE NEW GLAM THIS FESTIVE SEASON

With soaring gold prices, fashionforward buyers are redefining festive luxury and choosing versatile and wearable jewellery

- TEJAL SINHA

IT'S that time of the year when gold glitters brighter than ever, but this festive season, shoppers are thinking twice before splurging. With gold prices soaring to an all-time high of ₹1,34,550, the season's sparkle is being reimagined with smarter, more stylish choices. "I prefer small earrings in gold, depending on the budget, something that can be used daily," says Shreya Singh, a 38-year-old teacher at a private school in Delhi NCR.

"For precious metals, I prefer silver coins or these small, daily-wear earrings." The obsession with heavy, 22karat jewellery is fading. Walk into any store selling jewellery today and you will notice the shift; shoppers are not skimping on their shine, they are simply opting for smarter shine this Deepavali. To decipher this changed perspective, TMS speaks to industry experts, fashion influencers, and beauty queens who are wearing the new mindful luxury.

For Manish Gulechha, cofounder of Kushal's Fashion and Silver Jewellery, this shift has been both noticeable and heartening. "We're seeing a strong rise in interest for 92.5 premium silver jewellery which is BIS hallmarked. Consumers are drawn to its versatility, contemporary designs, and ability to make a stylish statement for both festive occasions and everyday wear," he shares.