Gold is unaffordable so South Asian brides turn to one gram substitutes
Summary
High gold prices in South Asia are making traditional gold wedding jewelry too expensive for many families. As a result, more people are buying affordable alternatives like imitation jewelry or thinly gold-coated ornaments called “one-gram gold” instead of pure gold.Key Facts
- Gold prices have risen significantly, reaching about $4,861 per ounce recently.
- India, the second largest gold consumer, saw a 24% drop in demand for gold jewelry in 2025 compared to the previous year.
- Many brides and their families use gold jewelry not just for decoration but also as a symbol of status and protection.
- One-gram gold jewelry is made by coating a thin layer of pure gold over base metals, making it more affordable.
- Jewelers report that most customers now prefer imitation or lighter gold options due to high prices.
- Families in cities like Srinagar, New Delhi, and Dhaka are replacing traditional heavy gold jewelry with smaller, cheaper gold pieces or artificial jewelry.
- The shift away from pure gold in weddings reflects changing economic realities in South Asia.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.