What a clear jewellery estimate should show

In short

• A clear estimate separates metal, making, stones, taxes and the total.
• Check the purity, the date it is valid until, and the exchange terms.
• Keep it with your bill.

An estimate is a conversation on paper. A clear one lets you understand exactly what you are paying for and lets you compare one piece with another. These are the lines worth looking for.

For every piece

• A description. What the piece is, with the design name or reference.
• Weight. The gross weight, and where stones are set, the weight of the metal on its own. These are different numbers, and both matter.
• Purity. The karat and the hallmark details, matching what is stamped on the piece.

For a hallmarked piece, BIS rules say the final bill must list each article separately, with the net weight of the precious metal, the purity in carat and fineness, and the hallmarking charges. An estimate that follows the same order makes the bill easy to check.

The price, broken into parts

A good estimate separates the price so you can see how it is built.

• Metal value. Weight multiplied by the rate for the day.
• Making charges. The cost of the craft. At Gold Point, making is always a percentage of the current 24-karat (pure gold) rate. It is never worked out on the purity of the piece. Wherever you shop, ask how it is calculated, because it changes how the price moves.
• Hallmarking. The hallmarking centre charges a fee for each article. At the time of writing, BIS has set it at ₹75 per article plus taxes for jewellers. If it is passed on to you, it should be shown as its own line.
• Stone charges. If stones are included, their type, size or weight, and whether they are natural. Treatments and certificates should be stated.
• Taxes. Shown as their own line.
• Total. One clear figure at the end.

Dates and conditions

• The date and how long it holds. Metal rates move daily, so an estimate is normally valid for a short time. Look for a validity date.
• Exchange and return terms. What happens if you want to exchange a piece later. Ask for this in writing before you buy, not after.

Questions that are always fair to ask

1. Is this price based on today's rate?
2. How are the making charges calculated?
3. Can I see the hallmark and the stone details before I decide?
4. What are the exchange terms?

A jeweller who is happy to explain each line is one worth trusting.

Keep it together

Save the estimate with the final bill, and note the hallmark code of each piece. If you ever want to compare or exchange, having it all in one place makes it simple.

When you send us an enquiry on WhatsApp, our team is happy to talk you through any figure that is unclear.