Lucknow: As Diwali approaches, jewellery markets in the city are sparkling, from shops in Chowk and Aminabad to showrooms in Hazratganj and trans-Gomti areas as shoppers pick gold ornaments, silver idols and decorative home accents, besides auspicious coins.The enthusiasm is unabated despite gold priced at around Rs 1.46 lakh per 10 grams and silver touching Rs 2 lakh per kilo. Customers are buying and booking jewellery weeks in advance to secure their Dhanteras and Diwali purchases.Women browse display counters laden with traditional and contemporary designer pieces. Among the star attractions are Turkish-style kanthi sets, intricately crafted silver home décor items and silver idols of deities. Ornate Lakshmi-Ganesh frames, decorative urlis and silver figurines are finding favour among buyers looking to adorn their homes or gift loved ones during the festive season.According to vice-president of Chowk Sarafa Market, Adesh Jain, relatively lower gold prices compared to recent peaks have encouraged customers to make purchases.For many shoppers, the buying carries emotional and cultural significance. Entrepreneur Sanjana Jain has booked a 12-gram kanthi set, two 4-gram silver coins and a pair of gold bracelets for Dhanteras.At a showroom in Aminabad, Ishita Lokhande selected an 8-gram Turkish gold set along with a silver ‘sindoor-dani’.Traders say traditional designs continue to dominate bookings. General secretary of Chowk Sarafa Market, Vinod Maheshwari, noted that customers are showing strong preference for kanthi sets, gold bracelets, chains, silver Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, Ram Darbar frames and gold and silver coins ranging from 2 grams to 30 grams.For some families, festive shopping is as much about decorating homes as about buying jewellery. From a Chowk jewellery store, Nitesh Tiwari and his wife purchased a silver peacock figurine, silver coins, a Lakshmi-Ganesh frame and a gold kanthi set. Nearby, Harmanpreet Singh and Sahiba Kaur booked a silver horse showpiece, an ornate silver urli for floral decoration and a gold kanthi set, preparing to usher prosperity into their home.Hazratganj’s upscale showrooms are witnessing growing demand for lightweight and contemporary jewellery. Rose gold designs are a preferred choice, particularly among younger buyers. Nandini Merchant and her daughter Alaya chose delicate rose-gold pendant sets along with a gold coin.Jeweller Om Prakash Tiwari said lightweight gold pendant sets, designer mangalsutras and ‘bichhiya’ (toe-rings) are popular this year. Yet, amid changing trends, one tradition remains unchanged: the festive appeal of gold and silver coins, considered auspicious purchases during Diwali and Dhanteras.