Buying gold jewellery for Dhanteras? Watch out for these red flags when you are out to shop
As the Bard had said centuries ago, all that glitters is not gold.
By ET Online |
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Gold is not just a luxury item but an investment. Before buying, you have to ensure that you are getting your money's worth.
Although it is known as the first day of Diwali a.k.a. ‘the festival of lights’, Dhanteras is also a festival celebrating wealth and prosperity. The jewellery stores tend to be crowded during this time of the year. Gold jewellery is considered auspicious and a harbinger of good luck and prosperity.
However an exciting occasion such as buying gold can quickly turn into a bitter memory if you discover that the gold jewellery set you have blown a hole in your bank balance for is not up to the mark. Here are a few strategies you can exercise to ensure that you are getting the best quality gold for your buck.
Is The Gold You Are Buying Pure?
Whether you buy some basic trinkets or an entire set consisting of a necklace, earrings and maang tika, buying gold is a long-term investment. Apart from being a coveted luxury item, gold is an invaluable financial asset. Regardless of economic fluctuations, there will always be a demand for gold in the market.
You don’t want to be paying an exorbitant price for what is basically low-grade gold (i.e. gold mixed with other metals). So inquire about the purity of the gold you are buying. A 24-carat gold piece is considered 92 per cent pure. The quality however falls as they go lower. Hallmark can be another criteria for determining purity of gold. Never buy jewellery that does not come with a complete hallmark. Hallmarks include a BIS logo, the name/logo of the hallmark centre, the manufacturer logo etc.
In general you will be able to evaluate quality of gold better, if you are aware of these classifications :
KDM Gold This is a gold alloy which is 92 per cent gold and 8 per cent cadmium.
916 Gold This is another name for 22 carat gold. If 22C gold weighs 100gm it will be named as 916. This means 91.6 gm of pure gold in 100 grams of alloy.
Set Aside A Budget
Walking into a gold jewellery showroom is basically like being spoilt for choice, if you adore gold jewellery. It’s extremely common for even the most prudent people to overindulge once they visit a jewellery store. So before stepping out to shop, set a budget for yourself.
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Are You Paying The Right Price?
You cannot put too much faith in the words of the retailer or the salespeople. Do the homework before parting with the cash. You can learn about the current market rates of gold on plenty of websites. . You can also compare jewellery prices on gold-specific portals..
Ask About Making Charges
The price of gold jewellery is determined by not just the purity of gold but the quality of craftsmanship. Making charges are all part of the final product price. In general more intricately designed jewellery or ornaments that are designed according to individual preferences (personalisation) usually cost more.
Buy From Trusted Sellers
This one is a no-brainer. When it comes to buying precious metals and gems, purchasing from a less reputable seller is basically gambling with your fortune. Buy only from well-reputed jewellery stores. You can also look up reviews on customer-feedback websites.
Check If There Is A Buy-back Policy
Do not rush to sign the deal. Before signing the dotted line, ask the seller if there is a buy-back policy. Some stores will deduct a certain amount while buying old jewellery to keep up with the fluctuating market rates of gold.
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Look For Certifications
When buying gold jewellery, always look for certified jewellers, especially those who have been certified by a trusted body like the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Check The Weight
Often other precious/semi-precious stones may be used to make the piece of jewellery heavier. They also cost more. So before buying, make sure to check the weight.
Conduct Tests
If you have doubts regarding the quality of the jewellery you have splurged on, you can conduct the following tests:
Make a tiny scratch on your jewellery and add some nitric acid drops to it. If the gold is pure there will be no reaction. But if the jewellery takes on a green tinge then that means some other metal is mixed with the gold.
Gold is very heavy. Drop your jewellery in a tub of water. If it sinks, that means it is pure. You can also use a piece of magnet.
Gold is a magnet-repelling metal. If your jewellery sticks to the magnet you know what to do!
Significance, History, Puja Timing, Rituals: Everything You Need To Know About Dhanteras
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Dhanteras, which is also known as Dhantrayadodashi, marks the beginning of the five-day-long Diwali festivities. According to the Hindu calendar, it is observed during the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha and falls in the month of Ashvini.
Dhanteras, which is also known as Dhantrayadodashi, marks the beginning of the five-day-long Diwali festivities. According to the Hindu calendar, it is observed during the thirteenth lunar day of Kri..
Read More
Dhanteras, which is also known as Dhantrayadodashi, marks the beginning of the five-day-long Diwali festivities. According to the Hindu calendar, it is observed during the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha and falls in the month of Ashvini.
Dhanteras, which is also known as Dhantrayadodashi, marks the beginning of the five-day-long Diwali festivities. According to the Hindu calendar, it is observed during the thirteenth lunar day of Kri..
Read More
The word Dhanteras is divided into two words - ‘Dhan’ which means wealth, and ‘teras’ which signifies the thirteenth day. People buy items made of brass, silver and gold on this auspicious day.
The word Dhanteras is divided into two words - ‘Dhan’ which means wealth, and ‘teras’ which signifies the thirteenth day. People buy items made of brass, silver and gold on this auspicious day.
The broomstick plays an integral part on this day. According to Hindu folklore, a broomstick helps cleanse the environment of negativity, clutter and bad fortune. Many follow the tradition of purchasing a new broomstick and offering prayers.
The broomstick plays an integral part on this day. According to Hindu folklore, a broomstick helps cleanse the environment of negativity, clutter and bad fortune. Many follow the tradition of purchas..
Read More
It is believed that during the Samudra Manthan, Dhanvantri appeared with the holy ayurveda text in one hand and a pot full of elixir in the other. People not only buy gold, silver and brass objects but also wear new clothes and decorate their homes.
It is believed that during the Samudra Manthan, Dhanvantri appeared with the holy ayurveda text in one hand and a pot full of elixir in the other. People not only buy gold, silver and brass objects b..
Read More
Not many know that Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantri Jayanti, which marks the birth of the god of ayurveda. In fact, the Ministry of AYUSH observes Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day.
Not many know that Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantri Jayanti, which marks the birth of the god of ayurveda. In fact, the Ministry of AYUSH observes Dhanteras as National Ayurveda Day.
This year, the Dhanteras Puja will commence at 7:01 pm on Saturday and end an hour later at 8:17 pm. Meanwhile, the Trayodashi Tithi will begin from 6:02 PM on Saturday and end at 6:03 PM on Sunday.
This year, the Dhanteras Puja will commence at 7:01 pm on Saturday and end an hour later at 8:17 pm. Meanwhile, the Trayodashi Tithi will begin from 6:02 PM on Saturday and end at 6:03 PM on Sunday.
The Dhanteras puja takes place in the evening. During the puja, fresh flowers and prasad are offered to the goddess. Small imprints of footsteps are drawn from outside the home to inside to denote Goddess Lakshmi’s arrival into the house.
The Dhanteras puja takes place in the evening. During the puja, fresh flowers and prasad are offered to the goddess. Small imprints of footsteps are drawn from outside the home to inside to denote Go..
Read More
Naivedya, a popular dish is offered to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. It is prepared using jaggery and dry coriander seeds. Apart from this, aate ka halwa (whole wheat halwa) is also made in many parts of North India. Panchamrit is another offering for Goddess Lakshmi. It is a chilled beverage made with milk, sugar, honey, curd and ghee.
Naivedya, a popular dish is offered to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. It is prepared using jaggery and dry coriander seeds. Apart from this, aate ka halwa (whole wheat halwa) is also made in many p..
Read More
Also known as Yamadeepdaan, on Dhanteras a ‘Deep Dan’ is offered to Yamraj. This is done to prevent any unfortunate incident like the premature death of a family member. For this ritual, a diya is lit at the house entrance facing south. The tradition says that doing this helps keep evil and death away.
Also known as Yamadeepdaan, on Dhanteras a ‘Deep Dan’ is offered to Yamraj. This is done to prevent any unfortunate incident like the premature death of a family member. For this ritual, a diya is li..
