By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Buying jewellery is more of a matter of faith and trust on the quality of gold, the fairness of cost computation and uniqueness of design. During the ongoing festive season like Karwa Chawth, Dhan Teras, Deepawali etc when the urge to buy gold jewellery is at the peak among womenfolk, the market in Solan is flooded with not only promises of assurance but also with attractions of gifts and prizes. One is naturally stuck between the number of offers and choices on offer.
To get a peep into the intricacies of jewellery business as well as fairness deployed in true sense by the Jewellers, this reporter chose to visit the largest Jewellery showroom of the state located in Solan.
Verma Jewellers of Solan, I was informed had also been honoured with a coveted place among the top 100 Iconic Jewellers of India by the All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation, Mumbai.
Verma Jewellers of Solan thus features amongst prominent iconic Jewellers of India like Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Kerela ; Kalyan Jewellers, Kerela; Tribhovandas Bhimji Zavari, Mumbai; P.C. Jewellers, Pune; Tanishq Banglore, Gitangali Jewellers Mumbai, etc.
It was heartening to know that Verma Jewellers had risen from a small traditional jewellery shop way back in 1950s to the present status of being the largest Jewellery outlet in Himachal Pradesh. The journey from a 100 square feet shop to the present about 4000 square feet modern showroom.
Akshay Verma, Managing Director of Verma Jewellers tells that the all inclusive growth story unfolds in separate sections of Silver, Gold, and Diamond, woven in traditional as well as modern designs displayed in the showroom. While the ground floor houses gold, the first floor glitters with diamonds, Polki, Kundan and antique jewellery, the second floor is dedicated to silver while the other floors showcase corporate souvenirs in precious metals.
Akshay Verma informs that when he joined the business in 2000, he had pioneered hallmarking of gold jewellery in the state by qualifying for the prestigious hallmarking license from the Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India. The feat proved to be a turning point for Verma Jewellers, Akshay tells. Himself holding a degree in Gemmology, Diamond Grading and Manufacturing from the Indian Diamond Institute, Akshay tells that he had promoted the customers confidence by ensuring certified jewellery to them.
Akshay Verma, told that for gold jewellery, the Government of India has norms of standardisation for ensuring the purity of gold. Just the hallmarked jewellery does not mean that it is of 22 carat or 23 carat purity, he told. All the hallmarked jewellery, he said has be bear three types of stamping on each piece. The three stampings are one of BIS mark, the other of carat value, and the third being that of the manufacture. At the time of buying, one must look for these marks with a magnifying glass In addition to the value of gold, the jewellers charge for making, polishing etc which vary and are not standardised.
To a question on taking a proper receipt of the purchase, Akshay Verma informed that one must insist on receipt. Majority of the Jewellers, he said, try to hoodwink the buyer with pleasing words and pleas of saving on taxes. He informed that the excise duty leviable on jewellery was a mere one (1) percent and along the receipt one gets the entire details of the weight, purity, quality and breakdown of the value charged. Such a receipt and a certificate is must for any jewellery, he insisted.
Giving instances of theft of jewellery or loss in travel, he told that it is not possible to register the loss with the insurance agency without a proper receipt, and in case of recovery, it is not possible to take the claim from Police without a proper receipt. He cautions a word of advise for all buyers to insist on a proper receipt bearing the details of purchase. Not insisting on a receipt just for a saving of one percent is not only against the rules, but may also lead to bigger problems later, he warned.
