Low-carat jewellery gains popularity

WITH GOLD AND fine jewellery becoming costlier due to soaring prices of the precious metal, a section of buyers has turned to 9-carat (9kt) products. Gold prices are hovering around ₹1.1 lakh per 10 g, an all-time high.

- KRISHNA BAROT

To promote affordability and increase consumer trust in low-carat jewellery, the government in July approved the hallmarking standards for 9kt gold, which is composed of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% alloy metals such as zinc, silver or copper, by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).