They removed a quantity of jewellery

One segment where buying has not slackened despite rising prices is jewellery.

Thanks to the rise in offtake of light-weight jewellery and impulse buying online, this Dhanteras is sparkling though gold prices show no sign of abating. .

Jewellers expect better interest in gold and diamond jewellery, with sales moving up 35-40 per cent this festival season. Jewellery sales were sluggish the last two years on slow economic growth and high gold prices.

Rahul Singh, Head of Marketing at Shree Ganesh Jewellery House, said: “People are purchasing gold jewellery more as an investment, anticipating a future rise in prices. Diamond jewellery is the latest fashion statement for GenNext. These days, college girls come to our store to purchase diamond studs with their pocket money. The demand for light-weight jewellery has gone up almost 60 per cent.”

The average ticket size of purchase stands at Rs 8,000, he said, adding that the company expected sales to rise 35-40 per cent, especially in the light and medium weight category, as well as coins for which there has been heavy bookings.

The festival and wedding seasons account for 60-70 per cent of all jewellery sales in the country. Gitanjali Group Chairman and Managing Director, Mehul Choksi, said, “demand peaks during festival and wedding season.”

Alukkas Varghese Joy, Managing Director of Joyalukkas, said, “Prohibitive prices have brought down the purchase of gold. A decade back, an average Indian consumer bought 30-35 gm annually, but now it has come down to 15-16 gm. Most buying happens during festivals.” He said Dhanteras, which falls on Sunday, will revive sales in the northern and western markets, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. “The price of gold has gone up by $30/ounce in the international market. This may impact prices that are likely to go up.”

Early samples from a forthcoming range of licensed Fifty Shades of Grey jewellery has impressed E L James, author of the raunchy book series.

H.E.R. Accessories is making the products in a deal brokered by Fifty Shades of Grey agent CopCorp.

CopCorp licensing president Carole Postal said: “H.E.R. Accessories incorporated various signature items and catchphrases from the books into designs for its Fifty Shades of Grey jewelry.

“Millions of readers have been drawn into these books and now H.E.R. has created a fun, fashionable jewelry line for female fans in their twenties, thirties and beyond.”

H.E.R. Accessories CEO Hymie Anteby, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the Fifty Shades phenomenon. E L James was excited by the prototype samples we sent her so we are confident her fans will love these items as well.”

Two masked raiders escaped with jewellery from a Keighley shop.

The men entered Cash Converters, in Cavendish Street, at about 5pm on Saturday.We have many other kinds of stainless steel jewelry supplies,

They removed a quantity of jewellery from a counter and ran from the premises, getting into a silver VW Golf where it is believed two other men were waiting.

The car was then driven off in the direction of the railway station.

Police have today appealed for witnesses to the incident and information about the suspects, who were both wearing balaclavas and dark clothing.