Lucknow takes to pearls

Changing fashion trend and the thought of experimentation with jewellery has led to a market for pearl in Lucknow.

The latest trend of mix and match and need for trendy and fashionable jewellery has directed the jewellery manufacturers to pull their socks and provide various designs for pearl jewellery to the customers across the city.

“With marriage season round the corner, people have started purchasing pearl as a suitable gift item. It suits the customers’ pocket as it is not as expensive as gold jewellery and looks elegant too,” Kamal Kapoor from Chandrani pearls told Business Standard.

“Pearl jewellery which is the latest in trend piece of decoration among the ladies has evolved as the main crowd-puller in recent times,” he added.

Lucknow was famous for its pearl jewellery across the world in the ancient times. However, people have started recognising its importance again of late.

A pearl set costs between Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000, while earrings start from Rs. 250 onwards.

“The Diwali sales this year were the highest as compared to that of the corresponding period last year. It is a proof that pearls are in demand these days,” Kapoor said.

According to industry insiders, the annual turnover for pearl market in the city touches about Rs 1 crore at present and is expected to be higher in the coming years.

Different types of pearl necklaces are made in Lucknow, typical designs being single string, double and triple string necklaces, Kundan Ranihar (pearl sets with enamel kundan work), and the regular Jugni sets (several strands of pearls with a central pendant) and many more.

With the marriage season about to begin, the shop keepers are busy delivering orders of pearls jewellery clubbed with precious stones like rubies, emerald and American diamond as well.

“Although in earlier times jewellery was created for wealth storage, in recent times it has been used almost exclusively for decoration. The craze for pearl has increased over the years,” informed Rajeev from Jewel Palace.

In addition, there is the less-costly artificial pearl jewellery made from less-valuable materials and is a mass product.

“Change is the flavour of the season. What is in demand today may not be a week later. This is the place where artificial jewellery made of chemically produced pearls or the synthetic pearls steps in,” said a shopkeeper from Sia Art Jewellery in the city.

“This helps the customer to change their product more often, without worrying about the price,” he added.

There are about 25 shops dealing with pearl jewellery in the major markets of the city, including the malls.