Jewellers in Keralam have decided to standardise the price of 18-carat gold across jewellery outlets in the State, with the revised pricing system coming into effect on October 15.
The decision was taken by various gold trade organisations under the leadership of the Kerala Jewellers Association Coordination Committee to eliminate price variations for 18-carat gold among jewellery stores.
S Abdul Nazar, State General Secretary of the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (KGSMA), said the price of 18-carat gold would be determined using the same proportional criteria applied to 22-carat gold. The move is expected to bring uniformity to pricing and improve transparency in the gold trade.
The decision was taken in consultation with various trade organisations which was presided over by K Surendran, State President of the KGSMA.
Growing demand
According to Nazar, there has been a growing demand for 18-carat gold jewellery in Keralam which now accounts for an estimated 10-15 per cent of the States’ total gold jewellery trade, an indication of changing consumer preferences. Diamond-studded jewellery and rose gold ornaments are increasingly manufactured using 18-carat gold.
However, the absence of uniform pricing practices and reliable purity-wise sales data presents challenges for market analysis, price comparison and consumer transparency. A standardised pricing methodology and accurate sales statistics would help bring greater clarity and consistency to this growing segment, he said.
The market price difference between 18-carat and 22-carat gold jewellery is around ₹24,000, offering consumers a significant cost advantage. With growing demand for diamond jewellery and rose-gold designs, 18-carat gold is emerging as an attractive and budget-friendly option for jewellery buyers, he added.