Women have always loved gold. Most women still prefer to invest their savings in gold. Now, as the women's festival, Karwa Chauth (Karwa Chauth 2025), is approaching, it will be celebrated on October 10th. If you're looking to buy a gift for your wife on this occasion and have a reasonable budget, give her a gift of her choice: gold jewelry.

Gold is not just a piece of jewelry, but also an investment. These days, with skyrocketing prices, gold jewelry has become an even more valuable gift. Your wife will surely appreciate this gift. However, it's important to keep a few things in mind when purchasing gold jewelry, or you could face losses later. Learn more about it here.

1. Ignoring Hallmarking: The Ultimate Purity Test
This is the biggest and most common mistake. Many people buy jewelry simply because of its shine, but don't check the hallmark. Experts consistently emphasize that "purity is determined by the hallmark. Buying gold without a hallmark means investing blindly."

A hallmark is a guarantee of the purity of gold by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The hallmark consists of the BIS logo, purity in carats (e.g., 916 means 22 carats), the jeweler's identification mark, and the hallmarking center's mark. Always buy jewelry hallmarked with a 22 carat (916) or 18 carat (750). 24-carat gold is completely pure, but it is too soft to be used for jewelry.

2. Not Matching Carat with Price: Purity Difference, Price Variation
As mentioned above, 24-carat gold is the purest, but jewelry typically uses 22- or 18-carat gold. Jewelry is also made from 14-carat gold. 22-carat gold contains 91.6% pure gold, while 18-carat gold contains 75% pure gold. Obviously, the prices will vary. When purchasing, you should check the carat of gold you are purchasing, along with the price per gram. Ask the jeweler for the price per gram and compare it with the current gold rate. Some jewelers may sell jewelry with a lower carat as a higher carat, resulting in a direct loss.

3. Not Taking a Proper Bill: Your Legal Proof of Purchase
In an attempt to save some money or avoid GST, people often take a fake bill, which is a huge mistake. A proper bill is the most important legal proof of your purchase. It should clearly state the jewelry's purity (carat), weight, making charges, GST, and, if there are stones, their details (ratti, type, purity). If you need to sell or exchange the jewelry, or if there is a dispute over its purity, this proper bill will be useful. Without it, you could become a victim of fraud.

4. Not Taking a Certificate for Jewelry (Especially for Studded Ones): Identifying and Valuing the Stone
If you are purchasing stone jewelry, such as diamonds or other gemstones, be sure to obtain a certificate. This certificate will provide complete information about the gem's ratti (weight), type (e.g., diamond, ruby, emerald), cut, clarity, and purity. Without a certificate, it's difficult to identify the gem, and you may not get its true value when selling or exchanging it in the future. Some jewelers add the gem's weight to the gold's weight, resulting in a higher price. Ensure the bill lists the gold weight separately and the gem's weight separately.

5. Ignoring Making Charges and Exchange/Buyback Policy
Making Charges: This is the cost of making the jewelry and can vary depending on the design. Many jewelers vary significantly. Be sure to compare the making charges at different stores before purchasing. This can significantly impact your total price. You may also want to bargain.

Exchange/Buyback Policy: If you plan to exchange or sell your jewelry in the future, be sure to check the jeweler's exchange or buyback policy. Some jewelers offer significantly lower prices after deducting making charges and GST. Knowing this in advance can help you avoid future losses. Also, ask whether they offer exchange/buyback policies for jewelry purchased from other jewelers, or only for jewelry purchased from their stores.

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