The well known brands in India for great quality imitation bling and baubles are Estelle and SIA. Their designs win over hearts and wallets!
Harpreet Kaur
The imitation jewellery market is growing by leaps and bounds. With the current market situation (and with even the police issuing warnings), people are chosing to keep their jewels safe in a locker and wear imitation stuff so as not to feel undressed without their regular array of rings, bangles, anklets, necklaces, earrings, hairclips etc.
Starting from a bare minimum of Rs 10 for a gold ring, there are sets that can set you back by over Rs 60,000. These include jewellery that are copies of the real and reel versions like the sets worn by Aishwarya Rai in Jodha Akbar. The designs are from just plain to complete jadau work and it takes a very sharp eye to differentiate between real and imitation jewellery. It does fool 80% of the people or they choose to turn a blind eye to the latest fad.
The only problem is to check the pieces individually before buying so you can discard those with design flaws or lost stones. Check the prices in atleast three to four shops before you go to buy imitation gold jewellery and if possible bargain. The price reduction might just surprise you and your pocket.
The rising price of gold has got even the regular jewellery store owners sourcing other means to increase their profit - that includes selling imitation or one gram gold which in fact is never gold at all but gold plating or in colloquial terms called 'sone ka pani'. This trend has been observed in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and states like Gujarat and Rajasthan. Earlier it was just middle class women who were buying this but today the desire for such pieces crosses age and class barriers.
There are two reasons for this trend lately:
1. The designs of imitation jewellery is many times better than actual gold jewellery and the finish has improved so much that it feels just as good to wear the fake stuff.
2. There are no worries if it gets lost or is stolen. You just end up having the last laugh at the thief’s expense!
The well known brands in India for great quality imitation bling and baubles are Estelle and SIA. One look at their designs and it's enough to see why wearing their jewellery might actually be a better idea rather than gaudy 'real' stuff. The simplicity and elegance of their designs is sometimes just not available in gold unless you chose to custom-order it ..and pay the steep labour charges over and above the price of gold.
So why do that, when you can look your glamorous best at half the price? This is one smart shopping trend that women will not overlook and anyone who does...more fool them!