Imitation Jewellery
Imitation Jewellery
Imitation Jewellery
Market Overview
Market Snapshots
Contents
India Market overview and Trends
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Market Snapshot
Original diamond and gold Imitation Jewellery such as Imitation Jewellery including
Jewellery has now made a way fashion Jewellery are very Bridal jewellery and Fashion
forward for artificial Jewellery. much prevalent, especially jewellery are showcased in
The sky-rocketing prices of the amongst the college going Bollywood movies which is a
traditional Jewellery whether teenagers and youths aged major driver for the rising
it is gold, diamond or silver, between 16-19 years. Since demand of Imitation Jewellery
have encouraged people to imitation jewellery are priced in India. These jewelleries
opt for affordable imitation at affordable cost, they can shown in movies helps the
Jewellery. Specially Women’s get a wide variety and also people to follow the upcoming
now purchase fashion and keep up with the changing trends and it also provides a
statement Jewellery to make a fashion. sense of pride for wearing the
signature look at every event. same jewellery as the
actor/actress in the movie.
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The fashion Jewellery market has a
number of players which includes the
manufacturers, wholesalers and the
retailers. Sales through online stores
and exhibitions are the major
contributors of sales in India. Local
fairs, jatras also attract a lot of Majority of the sales are from the
customers and command a cheaper metro and urban cities and
price as compared to online stores. contribute to the major chunk of
Online sales have also started picking share in term of sales. Sales from
up due to availability of wide range, the rural India are yet to pick up.
good patterns, exchangeable and This is because rural India has
other factors which have driven the more acceptance to precious
sales to a high peak. Jewellery in place of fashion
Jewellery.
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EXPORT OF FASHION AND COSTUME JEWELLERY
AFGANISTAN 7.08%
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IMPORT OF FASHION AND COSTUME JEWELLERY
and Italy were the top three Country for import of Costume -80%
and Fashion Jewellery in India, followed by Republic of 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018
China, Netherland and UAE. The import of Costume and RS in Crore Growth/Decline
Fashion Jewellery from these top six countries accounted
for 96.51% of the total export in 2017.
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Growth Drivers & Opportunities
Growth Drivers
High Demand: The demand for imitation Jewellery has surged by over 85% in the last one year.
People, especially women have adopted better standards of grooming after being influenced by daily
soaps. They ape the Jewellery and the costumes which are worn by the television stars. Moreover,
with the rise in standard of living and disposable income customers undoubtedly prefer to go in for
branded products.
Consumer preferences: The changing outlook of people regarding Jewellery as a daily wear
commodity rather than an asset for life has made imitation Jewellery more popular.
Variety and Affordability: Due to affordable range of the artificial Jewellery, it is much easier to make
a collection for regular as well as formal occasions. Generally working women prefer to change their
Jewellery (earrings, neck-pieces, rings etc.) according to their dresses.
Drastic hike in gold and silver price - With the prices of gold raising sharply, the popularity of imitation
Jewellery has further increased.
Security purpose: Imitation Jewellery is safer to wear as compared to the authentic Jewellery. In the
present day when theft and crime is increasing in society, customers feel more secure wearing fake
Jewellery.
Excellent innovative designs: Imitation Jewellery comes with unlimited and exquisite designs which
can be easily purchased.
Value for money: Traditional Jewellery cannot be changed according to latest fashion. However,
imitation Jewellery can be worn and discarded according to latest trends due to their low-cost benefit.
Lack of gender bias: In the past Jewellery was exclusively for the fairer sex but in the recent times
men have also initiated an interest in adorning themselves with this. One can easily come across
specially designed fashion Jewellery like bracelets, rings, chains, pendants, earrings for the male
gender also.
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Note: These are Not Included as of Now
1 Market Segments
The Indian imitation or fashion Jewellery market consists of men’s accessories and women’s
accessories and includes Jewellery made from plastic, fiber, metals such as silver, nickel, brass,
copper, leather, wood and at sometimes ivory even though ivory is banned in India. Jewellery
made of stainless steel, zinc, plastic bead and stones have made their mark in the Indian Jewellery
market. The market is well defined into organised market consisting of the various brands and
unorganised market comprising of the unbranded and locally manufactured Jewellery. Further
each segment is sub dived based on the utility and the price tag which comes along with such
products. Majority of the Indians fall in the middle-class category along with the fashion craze
amongst the youth, which has driven the demand for artificial Jewellery which are readily
available, cheap, and fits in a particular budget. This Jewellery includes affordable as well as semi-
precious Jewellery which can be matched with different fashion trends. This includes Jewellery
for palm, back, ear jackets, cuffs etc.
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comfortable to wear. From traditional designs to contemporary designs, markets are flooded
with different designs and patterns from all over the world. Traditional artificial Jewellery is
prominently dominated by Indian manufacturers and contemporary designs are dominated by
the Chinese manufacturers. New and innovative designs have always fancied women and hence
the sales of contemporary designs is always higher as compared to traditional Jewellery. The
latest trend being Choker necklaces which were famous in the 90’s. These items are available
from as low as Rs 10 onwards, which makes it easy it sell across various regions in India. The use
of paper quilling, feathers, wood have made the artificial Jewellery segment a competitive
segment for the Indian manufactures. Cheap Chinese imports have already made the Indian
manufacturers to worry about. The Indian manufacturers too have now started adopting the
practice of innovating and improving on the cut, finishing and pattern of the product. Some of
them have also started importing the basic raw materials from China to manufacture here. The
whole market is just incomparable as one can find so many varieties in each sub segment.
Men’s Jewellery
1.2.1 Bracelets
Men have also started adorning Jewellery as it gives them a trendy look. Rugged Jewellery made
up of heavy designs, but easy to carry such as bracelets, made up of leather, cloth, beads and
plastic are well demanded by men of all generations. Various fashion shows across the world
show how men can adorn Jewellery in the best way. Bracelets found in the Konkan region
comprise of those made up of leather and cloth. Beaded bracelets are also fast selling in these
areas. Metal bracelets such as the ‘’Salman Khan’ bracelet is very famous both in urban and in
rural areas.
1.2.2 Earrings
Indian customs and traditions allow piercing of men’s ears and hence Indian men do not shy away
from adorning earrings in the general public. From funky designs to small studs, all are well
perceived by the men in these regions. Earrings for men are more demanded in the urban areas
than in the rural areas, may be due to the social stigma connected with it. Lot of changes
happening in the attire and the way in which people dress up has caused the demand for such
types of fashion Jewellery to rise in these decades.
1.2.3 Pendants and Chains
Pendants and chains, both in traditional and contemporary designs are well demanded by the
youth in this region. Pendants such as those in leading Bollywood movies create a craze amongst
the youth. Chains such as those made up of steel and plated gold are demanded by people and
worn for functions or weddings. Boho designs are also picking up in the urban areas as the
demand for such items is soaring high in the Konkan region.
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1.2.4 Rings, Kadas and Cufflinks
Rings, Kadas and Cufflinks are famous amongst men. Rings and kadas in traditional and
contemporary deisgns are in demand now a day. Mettalic kadas made up of glazed rodhium are
very beautiful and aesthetically designed. Cufflinks are demanded by people wearing suits.
Cufflinks give a nice formal look to the attire and make it fashionable at that moment.
Women’s Jewellery
1.2.5 Earrings
Earrings such as long drop earrings, danglers, studs, tassels, Jhumkas, Crystal, Kundan earrings,
Cocktail are famous and well demanded by women of all ages. Plastic earrings are too in demand
due to its light weight and quirky prints which make it trendy and fashionable to wear. Handmade
earrings too are quite in demand these days. The regions of Konkan demand more of ethnic
designs in earrings than the contemporary designs. Tourist places in the Konkan region such as
Malvan, Kudal, Vengurla, Sawantwadi, Goa, Bhatkal, Karwar, Gokarna, Kumtha, Murudeshwar
and Mangalore are frequented by lots of tourists all year round. Fashion Jewellery is also fast
picking up in these regions attributed to the fact that youth and younger generations play a major
role in driving the sales of such products.
1.2.6 Necklaces and Necklace Sets
Wide varieties of necklaces and sets with similar matching earrings are available in the Konkan
market. Traditional designs are more famous in this region due to the ethnicity of the Konkan
region. Traditional necklaces such as pearl necklaces, poha haar, and maharani haar are well
known in these areas. The famous design in the ethnic fashion Jewellery is the coin necklace
which is traditional to the Maharashtrian region. Contemporary designs with delicate cuts and
sizes are available in the market too. These designs are more of party wear or club wear. Younger
generations like to experiment with their looks and hence they have more preference of
contemporary designs over the traditional designs. Traditional ethnic designs are worn by the
youth only during festivals and other religious occasions and by women in the age group of 30
plus. Chokers made up of metal, lace, plastic are highly in demand and command a good price.
Traditional Boho designs too are picking up demand.
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1.2.7 Bracelets
Artificial bracelets made of plated gold, plastic, steel and leather with danglers are a craze
amongst the customers. Fancy designs adorned with artificial gems, beads, American diamonds
are hot sellers across this region. Charms such as glowing charms, stars, pearls, seashells, tassels
are famous and yield maximum sales. The markets are full of contemporary designs from the
Chinese markets, which are cheap and have unique design specialty. Leather bracelets are also
catching up for the rugged and trendy look. These can be worn all day even in the most extreme
region and climate. Since the youth comprise majority of the population in these areas, demand
for products such as bracelets which are trendy, unique, and fashionable is huge. College going
youth prefer to look trendier and hence they require lot of accessories to look their best in
colleges.
1.2.9 Rings
Ring are quite in fashion all over these years. They come in different sizes and metals in which
they are made. Rings are made using beads, cloth, gem stones etc. Small delicate designs in
traditional and contemporary are well in demand. These are found across shops and annual
festivals like jatras, fairs in the Konkan region. Statement rings or Party rings are also in demand
due to its looks, colours and the fashion statement.
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1.3.2 Unorganised Market
The Indian fashion Jewellery market is highly unorganised. The unorganised market mainly
comprises of the market which is not regulated or does not function from a brick and mortar
store/ online portal. Local manufacturers sell such types of products through the medium of local
salesman, street hawkers in various fairs, and jatras across the Konkan region. Such type of
Jewellery does not guarantee any lab tests if any and can cause infection from the plating, stones
used or the material used for the manufacturing of the products. Many products imported from
China too are sold locally by the hawkers who get quick money from such selling.
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Bead Jewellery
Beads made out of plastic, silver, gold, copper, wood, clay are
common and a fast growing trend in India. These types of
Jewellery is easy to make even at one’s home. Bead Jewellery
dates back to Indus Valley Civilisation where one can see the
usage of beads in their daily Jewellery. Necklaces, earrings, and
charms are made out of these beads. Contemporary designs
made out of beads are very famous amongst the younger
generations.
Bridal Jewellery
Indian love gold and the demand for pure gold Jewellery is kind of sluggish in the recent years.
The rising prices of the gold have kept people away from the yellow metal for long. Very few
people actually wear artificial bridal Jewellery for weddings in India. It consists of rings, necklaces,
armlets etc. People adorn themselves with artificial Jewellery when they go for wedding or
wedding related rituals. Many travelers prefer artificial Jewellery as it is safe to carry for weddings
during long journeys.
Handmade Jewellery
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Handmade Jewellery comprising of pendants,
stones, beads of plastic, wood etc. have made way
into the fashion Jewellery market. The modern
youth are very experimental when it comes to
fashion and hence, Jewellery made out from scrap
waste, paper, wood is used in the best possible
manner to make it into something that one can
wear. Many manufacturers have started making
handmade Jewellery using paper quilling, feathers,
beads, clay and other articles to attract the young
youth to purchase such products in the areas of
Konkan. Youngsters have started making a
business out of such handmade Jewellery which
requires low investment and gives maximum
profits.
Ivory Jewellery
Ivory Jewellery is well known in the southern
region such as Karnataka and other parts of
southern India. The ban on sale of ivory and ivory
made items has now led to decline in the demand
for such products. Smuggling of ivory is still in
existence even though the Government has
banned the trade of ivory and related products.
Hair Clips, Rings, Neckpieces made up of ivory
costing in thousands of rupees were traded in the
open before the onset of the ban on ivory trading.
People in the tribal areas still use such Jewellery
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Fashion Jewellery
Fashion jewelry also called as imitation Jewellery or
costume jewelry, mainly for the reason that it is not made
of precious metals and stones, rather lighter and cheaper
material are used. Fashion jewelry is trend-conscious and
keeps on changing as per changing needs and patterns in
the market. These are very trendy and fast selling among
youth and working women in general. The areas of
Sawantwadi, Goa and Hubali, Dharmastala in the Konkan
region are known to stock such imitation or fashion
Jewellery. The tourist state of Goa, has always attracted
the likes of foreign tourists who love the delicate designs.
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hands. Handmade Jewellery designs are completely different and not similar to any type of
Jewellery. The youth prefer handmade Jewellery over other types as it is custom made, unique
in design and looks beautiful.
Coming to the Goan markets, demand for such products is always on the positive side. The Indo-
Portuguese culture which Goa is blessed with, has changed the the ideologies and the mindsets
of people in Goa. Market places stock up products in the traditional and ethnic wear, as both are
in good demand and command a good price in all segments such as clothes, fashion accessories
etc. Demand for fashion Jewellery is quite good in the traditional and the contemporary design
segments. The traditional designs such as gold-plated bangles, Necklaces, Rings are demanded
by the women for daily wear or for any occasional wear. Contemporary designs never are out of
fashion and hence demand for such products is always high, be it on shops, exhibitions or even
online sales. Now a days many Goa based online stores catering and delivering exclusively in Goa
are rising in number. All they do is procure their inventory from places such as Mumbai, Delhi for
cheap and sell and them across Goa for margins as high as 50% to 70%.
The region from Karwar up to Mangalore is famous for its beaches, market place and the
exquisite cuisine. These areas too have their own traditional values and ethnicity which can be
seen in the market place itself. The holy towns of Kumta, Bhatkal, and Gokarna are flocked by
tourists from all around the world. Traditional wooden bead Jewellery called as ‘Rudraksa Mala’
are famous in these areas as these are used for religious purposes. Other religious Jewellery is
also in demand in such areas. Ethnic Jewellery made up of plated gold and semi-precious stones
is well demanded during the harvest festival and other local festivals in the southern Konkan belt.
Demand for contemporary designs is also nice in this region. Pendants, necklaces, rings and
bracelets are the drivers of demand in this area.
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4 Competition and Existing Players
Very few branded retail stores are into
fashion Jewellery in India. The fashion
Jewellery market being highly unorganised,
exclusive stores are very less in number in
the Konkan region. The availability of such
fashion Jewellery in any retail store dealing
in fashion accessories makes it easily
accessible, affordable to buy. Brands such
as Sukkhi, Zaveri pearls, Voylla, Accessorize,
Swarovski, Ayesha, Anouk, Dressberry,
Panach, Bluestone, Being Human are well
known in this region. Ayesha, Accessorize,
Forever 21 all have physical stores across
India. Stores such as Archies, Hallmark too
store and keep Jewellery on display. Online
stores and various e-tailers also compete with one another to increase the sales by way of
promotions, sales and other attractive offers during festive seasons.
Fashion Jewellery market being highly unorganised, it is difficult to judge the competition in
terms of numbers. What can be seen is that, it gives immense stiff competition to the organised
players in this market. Competition is very cut throat in every segment, be it the women’s or
men’s segment. Unbranded Jewellery is readily available in the local markets and stores selling
fancy accessories. Places such as Vishal Mega Mart, Hypermart, Big Bazaars too stock up fashion
Jewellery and accessories. Competition in the form of unorganised market exists in the form of
local weekly baazars held in the rural and semi-urban areas. These baazars itself comprise of
more than 30 percent of the unorganised retail market. The prices of such products in the
unorganised market are quite cheaper and low as compared to the products sold online and that
available in malls and shopping centers. Constant price wars between the online stores are
evident from the fact that, prices of various products change daily if one tries to compare it over
a period.
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