Women buy gold ornaments ahead of Dhanteras in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Lightweight gold jewellery and innovative designs are once again in vogue this Dhanteras.

Dhanteras is on November 1 this year. On Tuesday, gold was priced at Rs 3,205 per gram. Last year around Dhanteras, the rate was around Rs 3,085 per gm.

The rising gold prices have not dampened the revellers’ spirit though. They are ready to invest in the yellow metal, as is the tradition. Jewellery stores are also going all out to woo the customers with fancy innovative designs and attractive offers.

“The only advantage of the slowdown in the economy is that the shops are becoming innovative with their designs and offers,” said Savita Sinha, a resident of Ashiana Nagar.

One such innovation is electroforming. In this process, the base of the jewellery is hollow, allowing the weight to be light, with the designs carved on.

The director of Alankar Jewellers, Manish Gupta, said: “We have introduced light electroformed gold jewellery in which the items are hollow from the inside but has beautiful craftsmanship.”

Other shops are also ready with fancy designs for their customers.

Shekhar Keshari, the chief executive officer of Hira Panna Jewellers, said: “We have introduced traditional lightweight kitty and khanti jewellery sets.”