Rising gold prices lead to decline in jewelry fascination among women

Kailali: Once adorned with gold jewelry from head to toe, women are now opting to wear only a single set of ornaments during festivals and celebrations, as rising gold prices have dampened their enthusiasm for jewelry.

Vishna from Tikapur, who owns a wide collection of ornaments including the traditional Ranihar, no longer wears much jewelry despite adding 10 tolas of gold each year. "In the past, wearing a lot of jewelry meant more respect," she shared, "but now, whether someone is wearing jewelry or not, everyone looks the same."

Many women, prioritizing security, now store their valuable jewelry in bank lockers, while others have turned to wearing imitation jewelry available in the market. Social media has also contributed to this shift. Women like Savina Shrestha from Joshipur, who used to enjoy wearing jewelry during festivals, now feel less inclined to reuse it after posting pictures on platforms like Facebook and TikTok. "You can't keep buying new jewelry as the price of gold has reached one and a half lakh," she said, "so it’s easier to wear imitation pieces from the market."

Teacher Rupa Saund echoed similar sentiments, noting that wearing too much jewelry can pose security risks. "A woman looks just as good in simple attire, and it doesn't cause discomfort to others," she remarked. Saund also pointed out that the rising trend of buying new clothes for every festival has further increased expenses, and she urged a focus on reducing such costs.

Pravin Sahu, a gold and silver businessman, noted that the jewelry market has seen a 50 percent decline due to the soaring price of gold. Additionally, fewer people are seeking jewelry repairs, as ornaments are now worn more sparingly, only when necessary.