All for that glitter

People roll their eyes when gold rates soar high. But this doesn’t stop the ladies from trying out the latest collections and designs launched by branded jewellers. A modern version of the Chettinad designer pendants, drops, and necklaces worked with intricate and traditional patterns are the gold ornaments in vogue these days. “Necklaces weighing three to twenty sovereigns are sought by the elderly and the young for marriages and parties. For evening parties they prefer to go in for middle chains with heavy worked pendants,” says Venkatesh G, sales executive at Bhima Jewellers. The peculiarity of this necklace is that the pendant and the dumplings around it are detachable. They are available in different weights and patterns. “One neck piece of four sovereigns would approximately cost around ` 1 lakh. Designs of Lord Ganesha and peacocks are the most commonly found patterns on Chettinad jewellery, which trace back its evolution to traditional jewellery of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” adds Venkatesh. Done up with emeralds and rubies, the pieces attract costumers who are on the look out for accessories that match their costumes. Stones known as ‘Spiel stones’ are affixed to these jewellery. “A set of Chettinad collection having a necklace, hangings, a bangle and a ring of around 6.5 to 7 sovereigns would cost about ` 1.4 lakhs,” he says. ‘Nakashi’, is another collection of Chettinad jewellery featuring pendants and studs with precious stones and uncut diamonds. These patterns take a cue from the traditional style, flooring youngsters and  elders alike with their timeless charm. Chettinad patterns also come in the form of light weight chains with semi precious stones and pearls which can be added to your daily wear. These light weight jewellery has gold chains as light as three grams but which appear more solid than what they weigh. “A three gram Chettinad chain can be bought by spending ` 11,500,” says Sunil K K, administrative manager, Kalyan Jewellers. “This is a fast moving collection in our store. In a week, at least ten pieces of these chains are sold,” says Rajesh E R, salesman at Kalyan Jewellers. “The collection of heavy pendants on thin chains costs around ` 1.75 lakhs. Bridal jewellery in Chettinad style is the kind that falls low from the neck. These would weigh between 6.5 to 20 sovereigns.” Heavy weight patterns are more common in traditional chettinad jewellery. The work, which has more gold on it, is also quite expensive. “The more the work on the jewellery, the better it looks. A set of necklace, bangle and studs would come to approximately 50 sovereigns which makes it a collection purchased mostly by high-end customers,” says Jose Meleth, shop manager at Jos Alukkas.