ORNAMENTS NEWS

Diamond Ornaments

Diamonds have become a part of daily wear for the upper middle class of Kerala. Diamonds are being adventurously matched with metals like white gold and platinum for a chic, contemporary look. There are ever-favourite baguettes, marquis, classical white diamonds and equally fashionable black, blue and brown diamonds.

Ornaments with precious and semi-precious stones move very slowly in the market. Except for diamonds, there is no resale value for the other precious stones. Delicate ornaments as well as diamonds are mostly purchased by the rich. While the middle class buyers who comprise the majority of customers in a middle and small jewellers' shop do not opt for the very intricate designs as they are costlier and one loses much in its exchange. Another main reason being its chance of breaking faster on frequent use.

Traditional Ornaments

Traditional ornaments continue to influence the gold designs and patterns like the Kashimala, Palakka, Nagapadom and Thalikoottam remain an evergreen influence. Every household boasts of owning at least one of them. But it comprises about 5% in case of the daily business only as gold remains a main feature in the Keralite's life.

Foreign and domestic tourists buy gold from Kerala attracted by the variety of special traditional designs mostly the kashimala and jhumki which are very popular.

Modern Ornaments

Gold never goes out of fashion, it is only remoulded to suit the look of times. For today's young women of Kerala the golden statement is one that is combined with other stones. Also combinations of platinum and white gold are very popular. The trend can be attributed to international influence.

Also there is a 5% market for Maharastrian (black beads), Andhra and Bengali styles. Singapore designs are popular among the foreign patterns. With their delicate designs, the Singaporean patterns cost higher by 15-20% and hence find buyers mainly in Ernakulam.