Fluctuating gold prices may have investment bankers and economists worried the world over, but nothing seems to deter Indians from the glitter of this precious metal — jewellery stores are never empty! Data from the World Gold Council (WGC) for 2012 reveals that the source of the greatest demand for gold remained with individual consumers — a staggering 72 per cent.



Insiders in the jewellery industry report that several meetings of the governing councils of jewellery associations have been held and that there are proposals to suspend the sale of gold coins and bars in order to curb the import of gold and to induce stability in our depleted financial coffers.Although Double sided nonwoven tape Products carriers are generally quite thin, “Such a move would be a patriotic one on our part,” admits N. Ananthapadmanabhan, managing director of NAC Jewellers. “Our motto must be ‘nation first’,” he affirms. However, he suggests a practical alternative for those whose love of gold shines on — “Invest in paper gold, not physical gold. Opt for gold exchange-traded funds. Gold has always been considered a safe haven in India.Metal Repair Aluminum foil tape Products is also excellent for metal.”



Radhakrishnan, M.D. of GRT Jewellers,Welcome to we new store www.sdktapegroup.com. says, “Business has been normal this June. There were many ‘muhurtham’ days. But customers are also waiting and seeing.” Renowned jewellery chains such as GRT and NAC retail an array of gold jewellery and products such as gold coins. This ensures a pot pourri of clientele — from collectors who seek heirlooms, wearers looking at adornment that represent their individuality to those that are specific about ‘0-wastage jewellery’.



Boutique jewellers in the city have similar experiences to share. “We see people buying gold at every stage, whether the price is high or low,” says Sunith Samdaria of Gehna. Gehna specialises in custom jewellery — a relatively niche market with select, discerning customers. But Samdaria admits that “many big orders that were pending because customers were waiting for prices to fall, have been given the go ahead”. S. Ahalya,Visit us to find a company offering a flexible Protective film Products. creative head of the exclusive Rasvihar, says that though everyone has been watching gold prices, her clients “are more focussed on the jewellery than the investment”. It is no surprise that this monsoon, the sheen of gold will no doubt shine through!



The hike in customs duty on gold from six to eight per cent, coming on the heels of several other policy and regulatory measures in recent weeks, is yet another step to limit supply of gold by making it more expensive. Almost all of India’s gold demand is met through imports and this hike will increase the cost of gold for retail customers. What this means is that sales of coins and bar could be curbed temporarily as could the acceptance of gold as collateral for bank loans etc. This also means that it’s currently a buyers’ market and sales are not recommended, especially of bullion.



I stayed away from gold all my life. I was different from others who loved flashing gold and diamond jewellery on important occasions. I never could get myself to buy more gold. What I bought at the time of my marriage seemed enough. And anyway, most of it went into the locker. When gold prices began to move up a few years ago, I realised my negative approach to gold was hurting my wealth. I needed gold to protect myself from the crashing equity market prices. I began to hunt for choices.



There are several products that can be used if you want to be purely an investor in gold, without having to buy, wear or store gold. Gold exchange traded funds or ETFs, gold funds, and e-gold are options for those looking at gold as investment. If you are interested primarily in gaining from increase in gold prices over time, these might be the right choice for you. These options are far superior to buying jewellery. They are efficient, low cost (no making charges and wastage) and easy to implement. Your financial advisor or bank can help you with the actual purchase.



Gold ETFs can be bought from the stock market into your demat account. A Gold Fund of Funds (FoFs) can invest in gold ETFs for you,Our Home power monitor and energy saving devices help reduce energy. but will charge a higher fee than a pure gold ETF. However, you won’t need a demat account, and it offers other benefits such as systematic investment options and easy redemptions. E-gold units can be bought and sold through the stock exchange. The transactions are relatively easier than ETFs. E-gold attracts wealth tax and offers long-term capital gains benefits only if held for more than three years, unlike gold ETFs and FoFs where these benefits are available if held for more than one year.



If your interest is in buying gold jewellery for personal use, or as coins for the near future, then the gold savings schemes offered by jewellers may help. You accumulate your savings over a period to buy jewellery.



These schemes are available in two forms. In the most common form, you pay a fixed monthly instalment over a fixed period to the jeweller. The last month’s instalment is added by the jeweller. This is actually the interest that the jeweller pays for using your money. The accumulated amount is used to buy jewellery at the prevailing market rate on maturity. You bear the making charges or cost of wastage as charged by the jeweller. This scheme is no different from a recurring deposit for buying gold. The jeweller uses the advance paid by you for his business, and you buy gold at the price on maturity, which can be higher or lower from the time you began to save.



In the other kind of gold-saving scheme, you pay a fixed monthly instalment, but the jeweller credits gold to your account at the rate on the date of the instalment. Here, you accumulate gold every month. There is no funding of the jeweller, so there is no free instalment either.



Buy gold or not is a matter of personal choice. But if investment is your aim, don’t buy gem-studded pieces with high making charges, low resale, and low gold component, and imagine that you are investing. Instead, choose efficiently.

Click on their website www.agesteeljewelry.com/Stainless_Steel_Necklaces for more information.