Saumen Bhaumik, managing director, CaratLane, agrees and adds, “Nearly 80 per cent of our consumers are opting for diamond jewellery, driven by evolving preferences for pieces that are wearable across occasions and align with modern lifestyles.” Alongside diamonds, he notes a growing interest in coloured gemstones, cocktail rings and newer formats such as 9KT jewellery and sterling silver-based diamond pieces.
However, with global economic uncertainty, price is an undeniable factor this year. With gold rates staying high, buyers are becoming more deliberate – opting for lighter pieces, exploring alternatives like silver or planning purchases in advance. “Customers are either opting to lock in prices or exploring alternatives like diamond jewellery that offer design value beyond just the metal cost,” says Neil Sonawala, managing director, Zen Diamond India. There is also a small but growing interest in silver, particularly among younger buyers looking for accessible, design-forward options that still align with the spirit of the occasion without the higher price tag. There are other shifts underway, too. Akshaya Tritiya is increasingly becoming the starting point of the wedding jewellery buying cycle, with more consumers opting to pre-book and plan purchases rather than buy last-minute.