Belgaum, situated exactly in the center between Mumbai and Bangalore lies in the zone of cultural transition between Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa with a known relic and hence has acquired the cultural flavour of these states and blended it with the local Kannada culture to create a rich heritage, which is exceptional. Hence, the jewellery market here is also a mix of traditional jewellery designs pertaining to these cultures. It is interesting to know this culturally mixed jewellery market, and so Kunjal Karaniya and Neha Parulkar explores jewellery market of Belgaum for you.%% Belgaum has a known distant past perceptible up to 2nd Century A.D. Well, centuries have passed and now it is a completely different story. Belgaum has now become one of the significant and well thought-out districts in the state of Karnataka. It is now considered as a fast growing; redeveloping district and so is the jewellery market here. Potdar Jewellers since 1890 have seen the Belgaum jewellery market go through ups and down throughout. Standing strong since a long time, Sunil Potdar, Director, Potdar Jewellers shares the way the Belgaum jewellery market has changed ever since then, “The market changed since we established, it has changed so much that from just a small cottage we now own multiple showrooms. This itself is enough to show how good the market has been. Belgaum jewellery market has mix consumers, we witness both rural and urban crowd and hence there is neither boom nor recession here.” Gold Palace which is standing tall since 1985 also has a story to share. Salim Mujawar, Director, Gold Palace informs, “From the year 1985 till 2011, the business was good and flourishing. But since 2011, after all the top brands entered the Belgaum jewellery market, the business saw a drop-down.” Taking a viewpoint from a relatively new entered jewellery store, Sarthi Gold opened their store recently in the year 1999, Dilip Kavedia, Director, Sarthi Gold shares his experience since then, “There is a tremendous change in the market since then and the market response is also really very good.” %% Taking a look at the culture of the city, Belgaum enjoys rich cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the states of Maharashtra and Goa. The customs and traditions of Belgaum have been influenced by both the Kannada and Marathi cultures. Owing to this, Dilip Kavedia justifies by saying, “People in Belgaum are very traditional and Belgaum is a huge market for Goans. Hence traditional designs of Goa and Belgaum are preferred majorly by people residing here.” Sunil Potdar shares the specialty of Belgaum jewellery, “Gokak style/design is the specialty of Belgaum. Gokak jewellery includes more of temple-like designs. Ethnic and handcrafted gold jewellery is also the kind that defines jewellery of Belgaum.” Being a highly traditional city, Salim Mujawar informs, “Over-fancy styles /designs like kundan, etc do not sell here. Instead people in Belgaum opt for simple designs, Bengali style jewellery works here the most.” %%

When quizzed about the awareness related to Hallmark and certification, Sunil Potdar says, “There was no awareness about hallmark before in Belgaum. But things have changed now; there is good amount of awareness related to hallmark amongst the people now. In fact, we had conducted a workshop on awareness programme about BIS hallmark and other government policies where around 1500 consumers attended. Hence, this shows people are aware about hallmark and government policies in Belgaum.” Salim Mujawar echoed the same positively, “Compared to past, now-a-days people are aware about hallmark and other government policies.” Dilip Kavedia too feels the same, “There is the needed awareness amongst the consumers in Belgaum related to hallmark and gold.” But he also mentions related to diamonds and certifications, “People here do not prefer diamonds at all, hence there is almost no awareness related to certifications.” %% Coming to the challenges faced in Belgaum, Salim Mujawar shares how the increasing gold prices have affected their business, “Fluctuation in gold prices has caused us losses in business since diamond and silver does not work here much. It is all about gold. Hence, due to these fluctuations, people are not buying much gold thinking that they shall buy gold when the gold price reduces.” Whereas for Sunil Potdar, the obstacle is the trade practice, “The only problem that we are facing is the trade practice. We (small town jewellers) are monopolised due to corporate sector. We have to compete with the corporate (i.e Kalyan, Malabar, etc) due to which at times we face some difficulties.” On the other hand, for Dilip Kavedia there are no challenges, “I do not think there can be any challenges that can be faced because here every shop has their fixed customers.” %% Talking about one of the active jewellery associations to help curb any obstacles is Daivadnya Jewellers Association. People of Daivadnya community from Karwar and other areas started settling in Belgaum in early 1990s. In mid 70-80s when Gold Control Act prevailed there were many restrictions imposed on jewellers. Jewellery being the only source of income for their community, it was necessary to protect and safeguard the interest of our people. ‘Gold Dealers and Jewellers Association’ was formed in the year 1978, which later got changed to Daivadnya Jewellers Association, Shahapur Belgaum. The main objective of this association is to solve problems occurring in jewellery business and also to make the members aware of new rules, laws and taxes levied by the government. There also many top Jewellery designing colleges in Belgaum that provides the best jewellery courses in Belgaum. %% Wrapping up the conversation, lastly sharing their opinion on the future of the Belgaum jewellery market, Sunil Potdar says, “We at Belgaum have maintained our standard just like Nasik. We are trying to promote Belgaum as a jewellery market. Just the way ‘paithani sari’ comes to everybody’s mind when we hear the city ‘paithan’ similarly we at Belgaum want to create a mark for us in terms of jewellery and thankfully we have full support from the government.” On this he further adds with full confidence, “In a year or two, we (Belgaum) will also be known as the jewellery market just like Jaipur and Mumbai.” Dilip Kavedia is equally positive but with a different view, “A good market is expected in future as the market here is totally depended on Goans.” Salim Mujawar ends, by saying, “Jewellery business in Belgaum is good. It is a good place for jewellers and jewellery.” %%

Belgaum, situated exactly in the center between Mumbai and Bangalore lies in the zone of cultural transition between Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa with a known relic and hence has acquired the cultural flavour of these states and blended it with the local Kannada culture to create a rich heritage, which is exceptional. Hence, the jewellery market here is also a mix of traditional jewellery designs pertaining to these cultures. It is interesting to know this culturally mixed jewellery market, and so Kunjal Karaniya and Neha Parulkar explores jewellery market of Belgaum for you.%% Belgaum has a known distant past perceptible up to 2nd Century A.D. Well, centuries have passed and now it is a completely different story. Belgaum has now become one of the significant and well thought-out districts in the state of Karnataka. It is now considered as a fast growing; redeveloping district and so is the jewellery market here. Potdar Jewellers since 1890 have seen the Belgaum jewellery market go through ups and down throughout. Standing strong since a long time, Sunil Potdar, Director, Potdar Jewellers shares the way the Belgaum jewellery market has changed ever since then, “The market changed since we established, it has changed so much that from just a small cottage we now own multiple showrooms. This itself is enough to show how good the market has been. Belgaum jewellery market has mix consumers, we witness both rural and urban crowd and hence there is neither boom nor recession here.” Gold Palace which is standing tall since 1985 also has a story to share. Salim Mujawar, Director, Gold Palace informs, “From the year 1985 till 2011, the business was good and flourishing. But since 2011, after all the top brands entered the Belgaum jewellery market, the business saw a drop-down.” Taking a viewpoint from a relatively new entered jewellery store, Sarthi Gold opened their store recently in the year 1999, Dilip Kavedia, Director, Sarthi Gold shares his experience since then, “There is a tremendous change in the market since then and the market response is also really very good.” %% Taking a look at the culture of the city, Belgaum enjoys rich cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the states of Maharashtra and Goa. The customs and traditions of Belgaum have been influenced by both the Kannada and Marathi cultures. Owing to this, Dilip Kavedia justifies by saying, “People in Belgaum are very traditional and Belgaum is a huge market for Goans. Hence traditional designs of Goa and Belgaum are preferred majorly by people residing here.” Sunil Potdar shares the specialty of Belgaum jewellery, “Gokak style/design is the specialty of Belgaum. Gokak jewellery includes more of temple-like designs. Ethnic and handcrafted gold jewellery is also the kind that defines jewellery of Belgaum.” Being a highly traditional city, Salim Mujawar informs, “Over-fancy styles /designs like kundan, etc do not sell here. Instead people in Belgaum opt for simple designs, Bengali style jewellery works here the most.” %%

When quizzed about the awareness related to Hallmark and certification, Sunil Potdar says, “There was no awareness about hallmark before in Belgaum. But things have changed now; there is good amount of awareness related to hallmark amongst the people now. In fact, we had conducted a workshop on awareness programme about BIS hallmark and other government policies where around 1500 consumers attended. Hence, this shows people are aware about hallmark and government policies in Belgaum.” Salim Mujawar echoed the same positively, “Compared to past, now-a-days people are aware about hallmark and other government policies.” Dilip Kavedia too feels the same, “There is the needed awareness amongst the consumers in Belgaum related to hallmark and gold.” But he also mentions related to diamonds and certifications, “People here do not prefer diamonds at all, hence there is almost no awareness related to certifications.” %% Coming to the challenges faced in Belgaum, Salim Mujawar shares how the increasing gold prices have affected their business, “Fluctuation in gold prices has caused us losses in business since diamond and silver does not work here much. It is all about gold. Hence, due to these fluctuations, people are not buying much gold thinking that they shall buy gold when the gold price reduces.” Whereas for Sunil Potdar, the obstacle is the trade practice, “The only problem that we are facing is the trade practice. We (small town jewellers) are monopolised due to corporate sector. We have to compete with the corporate (i.e Kalyan, Malabar, etc) due to which at times we face some difficulties.” On the other hand, for Dilip Kavedia there are no challenges, “I do not think there can be any challenges that can be faced because here every shop has their fixed customers.” %% Talking about one of the active jewellery associations to help curb any obstacles is Daivadnya Jewellers Association. People of Daivadnya community from Karwar and other areas started settling in Belgaum in early 1990s. In mid 70-80s when Gold Control Act prevailed there were many restrictions imposed on jewellers. Jewellery being the only source of income for their community, it was necessary to protect and safeguard the interest of our people. ‘Gold Dealers and Jewellers Association’ was formed in the year 1978, which later got changed to Daivadnya Jewellers Association, Shahapur Belgaum. The main objective of this association is to solve problems occurring in jewellery business and also to make the members aware of new rules, laws and taxes levied by the government. There also many top Jewellery designing colleges in Belgaum that provides the best jewellery courses in Belgaum. %% Wrapping up the conversation, lastly sharing their opinion on the future of the Belgaum jewellery market, Sunil Potdar says, “We at Belgaum have maintained our standard just like Nasik. We are trying to promote Belgaum as a jewellery market. Just the way ‘paithani sari’ comes to everybody’s mind when we hear the city ‘paithan’ similarly we at Belgaum want to create a mark for us in terms of jewellery and thankfully we have full support from the government.” On this he further adds with full confidence, “In a year or two, we (Belgaum) will also be known as the jewellery market just like Jaipur and Mumbai.” Dilip Kavedia is equally positive but with a different view, “A good market is expected in future as the market here is totally depended on Goans.” Salim Mujawar ends, by saying, “Jewellery business in Belgaum is good. It is a good place for jewellers and jewellery.” %%

Belgaum, situated exactly in the center between Mumbai and Bangalore lies in the zone of cultural transition between Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa with a known relic and hence has acquired the cultural flavour of these states and blended it with the local Kannada culture to create a rich heritage, which is exceptional. Hence, the jewellery market here is also a mix of traditional jewellery designs pertaining to these cultures. It is interesting to know this culturally mixed jewellery market, and so Kunjal Karaniya and Neha Parulkar explores jewellery market of Belgaum for you.%% Belgaum has a known distant past perceptible up to 2nd Century A.D. Well, centuries have passed and now it is a completely different story. Belgaum has now become one of the significant and well thought-out districts in the state of Karnataka. It is now considered as a fast growing; redeveloping district and so is the jewellery market here. Potdar Jewellers since 1890 have seen the Belgaum jewellery market go through ups and down throughout. Standing strong since a long time, Sunil Potdar, Director, Potdar Jewellers shares the way the Belgaum jewellery market has changed ever since then, “The market changed since we established, it has changed so much that from just a small cottage we now own multiple showrooms. This itself is enough to show how good the market has been. Belgaum jewellery market has mix consumers, we witness both rural and urban crowd and hence there is neither boom nor recession here.” Gold Palace which is standing tall since 1985 also has a story to share. Salim Mujawar, Director, Gold Palace informs, “From the year 1985 till 2011, the business was good and flourishing. But since 2011, after all the top brands entered the Belgaum jewellery market, the business saw a drop-down.” Taking a viewpoint from a relatively new entered jewellery store, Sarthi Gold opened their store recently in the year 1999, Dilip Kavedia, Director, Sarthi Gold shares his experience since then, “There is a tremendous change in the market since then and the market response is also really very good.” %% Taking a look at the culture of the city, Belgaum enjoys rich cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the states of Maharashtra and Goa. The customs and traditions of Belgaum have been influenced by both the Kannada and Marathi cultures. Owing to this, Dilip Kavedia justifies by saying, “People in Belgaum are very traditional and Belgaum is a huge market for Goans. Hence traditional designs of Goa and Belgaum are preferred majorly by people residing here.” Sunil Potdar shares the specialty of Belgaum jewellery, “Gokak style/design is the specialty of Belgaum. Gokak jewellery includes more of temple-like designs. Ethnic and handcrafted gold jewellery is also the kind that defines jewellery of Belgaum.” Being a highly traditional city, Salim Mujawar informs, “Over-fancy styles /designs like kundan, etc do not sell here. Instead people in Belgaum opt for simple designs, Bengali style jewellery works here the most.” %%

When quizzed about the awareness related to Hallmark and certification, Sunil Potdar says, “There was no awareness about hallmark before in Belgaum. But things have changed now; there is good amount of awareness related to hallmark amongst the people now. In fact, we had conducted a workshop on awareness programme about BIS hallmark and other government policies where around 1500 consumers attended. Hence, this shows people are aware about hallmark and government policies in Belgaum.” Salim Mujawar echoed the same positively, “Compared to past, now-a-days people are aware about hallmark and other government policies.” Dilip Kavedia too feels the same, “There is the needed awareness amongst the consumers in Belgaum related to hallmark and gold.” But he also mentions related to diamonds and certifications, “People here do not prefer diamonds at all, hence there is almost no awareness related to certifications.” %% Coming to the challenges faced in Belgaum, Salim Mujawar shares how the increasing gold prices have affected their business, “Fluctuation in gold prices has caused us losses in business since diamond and silver does not work here much. It is all about gold. Hence, due to these fluctuations, people are not buying much gold thinking that they shall buy gold when the gold price reduces.” Whereas for Sunil Potdar, the obstacle is the trade practice, “The only problem that we are facing is the trade practice. We (small town jewellers) are monopolised due to corporate sector. We have to compete with the corporate (i.e Kalyan, Malabar, etc) due to which at times we face some difficulties.” On the other hand, for Dilip Kavedia there are no challenges, “I do not think there can be any challenges that can be faced because here every shop has their fixed customers.” %% Talking about one of the active jewellery associations to help curb any obstacles is Daivadnya Jewellers Association. People of Daivadnya community from Karwar and other areas started settling in Belgaum in early 1990s. In mid 70-80s when Gold Control Act prevailed there were many restrictions imposed on jewellers. Jewellery being the only source of income for their community, it was necessary to protect and safeguard the interest of our people. ‘Gold Dealers and Jewellers Association’ was formed in the year 1978, which later got changed to Daivadnya Jewellers Association, Shahapur Belgaum. The main objective of this association is to solve problems occurring in jewellery business and also to make the members aware of new rules, laws and taxes levied by the government. There also many top Jewellery designing colleges in Belgaum that provides the best jewellery courses in Belgaum. %% Wrapping up the conversation, lastly sharing their opinion on the future of the Belgaum jewellery market, Sunil Potdar says, “We at Belgaum have maintained our standard just like Nasik. We are trying to promote Belgaum as a jewellery market. Just the way ‘paithani sari’ comes to everybody’s mind when we hear the city ‘paithan’ similarly we at Belgaum want to create a mark for us in terms of jewellery and thankfully we have full support from the government.” On this he further adds with full confidence, “In a year or two, we (Belgaum) will also be known as the jewellery market just like Jaipur and Mumbai.” Dilip Kavedia is equally positive but with a different view, “A good market is expected in future as the market here is totally depended on Goans.” Salim Mujawar ends, by saying, “Jewellery business in Belgaum is good. It is a good place for jewellers and jewellery.” %%