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Silver Jewellery: The line from the famous song “Sone pe chhai manghaai, main chandi len aayi” is fitting perfectly in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand these days. In most areas of Kumaon and Garhwal including Bageshwar, women have traditionally worn 24 carat gold jewellery.
In entire Kumaon-Garhwal including Bageshwar, traditionally wearing 24 carat gold jewelery has been the identity of women. There was a demand for gold on every occasion, be it a wedding, festival or family function, but in the last one year, the budget of common families has deteriorated due to gold prices reaching record levels. For this reason, women have now started adopting silver jewelery as an alternative. Due to its low price, attractive design and traditional identity, silver has emerged as a strong option.
The highest demand in the market is being seen for traditional Kumaoni designed silver jewellery. Jewelery like earrings, nose ring, necklace and waistband are being especially liked. Due to the reflection of hill culture in these ornaments, women are wearing them with modern clothes also. Goldsmiths say that locally designed jewelery is also attracting tourists from outside, due to which the silver business has further strengthened.
Goldsmith Kanhaiya Verma of Bageshwar market says that earlier, where silver ornaments were kept in limited quantity, now they have to keep the sets ready in advance. The number of customers has suddenly increased. The special thing is that women are now making heavy silver jewelery not only for everyday use but also for weddings. Due to this, the work of goldsmiths has also increased and they are getting inspiration to create new designs.
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In view of the upcoming wedding season, advance booking of silver jewelery has started. Many families are placing orders months in advance, so that both the design and weight can be as per their choice. Middle class families are feeling relieved due to its lower cost compared to gold. Goldsmiths believe that this season the sale of silver jewelery can be many times more than in previous years.
Bageshwar BJP District President Prabha Gadhiya’s message of wearing silver jewelery in her home wedding also became a topic of discussion. This was seen as a positive message at the social level that importance should be given to simplicity and tradition rather than ostentation. This initiative increased the confidence of common women regarding silver and this trend started spreading more rapidly. People are now considering silver not as inferior but as a wise option.
Some people are looking at silver jewelery not just as fashion but also as an investment. According to goldsmiths, the prices of silver are also gradually increasing. In such a situation, silver purchased in the form of jewelery can also provide financial security in future. Where earlier gold was considered a safe investment in the mountains, now silver also seems to be following the same path.
The craze for light and stylish silver jewelery is increasing among the youth. College going girls and working women are preferring silver earrings, chains and rings. It is easy to wear them daily and the price is also not heavy on the pocket. It is clear from this that silver has become not only traditional but also a part of modern fashion.
Goldsmiths and traders believe that this trend of silver will strengthen further in the coming months. If gold prices remain high, silver may become the first choice for jewelery in the mountains. The shine of silver will be seen increasing in weddings, festivals and social events. Overall, inflation may have driven away gold, but silver has created a new identity.
