Mumbai: Gold Standard

Even in a country flashing with gold ? you?ll find it on saris and stationary, temples and totes ? the city of Mumbai stands out for its obsession with the precious metal. From old Maharashtrian grandmothers, to women in the boardroom (and even some adventurous men), gold is everyone?s favorite way of spicing up an ensemble.

Even in a country flashing with gold ? you?ll find it on saris and stationary, temples and totes ? the city of Mumbai stands out for its obsession with the precious metal.  From old Maharashtrian grandmothers, to women in the boardroom (and even some adventurous men), gold is everyone?s favorite way of spicing up an ensemble. A gold and onyx necklace is an example of what?s considered an important wedding symbol, and worn daily by a sub-sect of married women in Mumbai.

 

Old Gold

The best examples of traditional jewelry can be found in Zaveri Bazar, commonly known as a ?jewelry market?, where excited brides shop for their trousseau. Here you can score the likes of delicate rings and multi-tiered necklaces, to waist-belts and hairpins. Our favorite stop for baubles is at Dedhia Jewelers, conveniently located in Mumbai.

 

All that Glitters?

Although a lot of the gold jewelry you may discover on your journey contributes a vintage-cool factor to the most contemporary wardrobes, there are still plenty of young designers making more urban designs from gold. Tanishq, a pan-national jewelry store chain is a terrific one-stop-shop. Not only does it have a wide variety of price ranges, but it also guarantees authenticity.  Often times, smaller stores are less reliable in terms of purity and weight.

 

Of course, if you?re not too fussy about buying the genuine stuff, try Bungalo 8. This lush, three-level store in Colaba, carries some of the most lust-worthy faux gold jewelry in the city.  A true golden temple!

 

ZaveriBazar, Bhuleshwar, South Mumbai; Dedhia Jewelers, Shop No 3, SangitSagar Building,Matunga; Tanishq flagship, 365/C, Linking Road, Khar; Bungalow 8, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba.