Info on jewellery shoppping in Jaipur - The Times

greenasgrass

There was an interesting article in The Times (UK) today about where to go to buy jewellery (specifically gems and gold etc).

Click http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...cle4028130.ece to see the article.

In my experience, I usually disagree strongly with recommendations given for a place I know, but you never know, someone may find this helpful. I intend to do some window shopping when we visit, at the very least

zoltan

The only problem I find with shopping for jewellery is that I have no idea of what I am buying.

ie. is it a legitimate item or a replica - am I being charged well in excess of what a stone (or setting) is worth ?

I have been to a few jewellery stores in Jaipur & was taken there by a rickshaw driver - I know that he was getting a 10% spotters fee (at least), because both he and the shop owners were telling me this.

In this city it certainly is a case of caveat emptor.

Cheers
Zoltan

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MrsC_772

Gem Plaza on MI Road was where my driver was keen to pick me up (after I'd asked to be dropped off to explore Jaipur on foot) - presumably where he got his commission.

They certainly had some serious pieces there, and I suspect my driver was disappointed that I only spent £30 or so on some silver bangles, not a Hollywood premiere style sapphire encrusted necklace!

greenasgrass

While we're about it, can anyone give me an idea of how much I should be spending on some fairly plain (but good quality) silver bangles? I don't want anything very overtly "tribal" looking, just a nice souvenir of India I can wear around my wrist!

aquamoon

Yes...that would be very nice. I, on the other hand, are looking for some "very" tribal looking silver pieces, the more traditional Rajasthani styles, the better. I've been told that they are sold by the weight, but I have no idea what the price range for the weight is.

Would appreciate any suggestions in this area....

anandi

Pieces most of the time can be sold by weight. Last time I checked, a few months ago, silver prices were around 21-22 rupees per gram. When you add on labour charge and profit by the seller, a decent price is no more than 30 rupees per gram. Depends how much you love the piece and how much over 30 rupees a gram you want to go. For silver in Jaipur you must go to Chameli Wala Market. 100's of silver shops all in one place and also has cheaper prices than other boutiques and any place on M I Road for example. You should be able to find anything you like there from styles ranging from modern and simple, to very ethnic and old tribal pieces too. Some people say that the quality is bad, or not real silver, but I have never had any problem with quality there myself. Pushkar also has some interesting tribal pieces as well. Good luck and have fun!

freenote

You can get your bullion prices on the bottom of the front page of the Times of India ,or you could a couple of years ago .That's your starting point , and than as above ...

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aquamoon

anandi and freenote, thank you so much! So based on the calculation formula provided by anandi, add about 35% (or 1/3) to the price of silver is a decent price per gram. That sounds like an easy formula to remember.

The current bullion price can be found here:
http://www.fxstreet.com/news/forex-n...7-9f81253261f8

marina

i've heard jaipur is great for gemstones.. i make jewellery and am looking forward to getting my hands on some great semi-precious stones. is it possible to buy strands of stones for such uses or is it generally finished pieces of jewellery on sale??

Paresh

Stones can be bought separately. I hope you have enough knowledge in that field so that you do not get fake item. You may not get separate stones on hi-fi showrooms. At showrooms prices may be high but the chance of getting cheated is less.

I have a relative who is into this business. If you want his contact, PM me.

marina

what are hi-fi showrooms?? is haggling still an option? and is it not possible to buy strands of stones in the markets??

freenote

I have seen strands of stones on sale all over india .Places that spring to mind ,Puskar Rajastan ,Paharganj Delhi ,In fact very easy to find .To my unedjucated eye all seem a good quality ,with a wide selection and a good price .I have found a couple of shops in Pushkar that sell by weight ,seems much better
.......Haggle

Paresh

I am just talking of some big showrooms. One of them has been mentioned above. The name is Gem Plaza at MI Road, Jaipur.
Option is haggling is never closed.

Paresh

Jaipur is famous for much expensive stones. If you go to the interior of the city you can find thousands of families doing polishing work of stones. Some of these stones are very very expensive into the international market and exported to all over the world. So at Jaipur, you can find something more!!!

So it all depends on what you want. For me all stones are same but some of my friends spend millions of rupees on them.

freenote

Quote Paresh
"For me all stones are same "
You just can't say such a thing ,these stones are cherished all over the world .They are used as objects of beauty ,for healing and of course for acquiring wealth (power) ,bounty of the earth and to be enjoyed