Alankar Jewellers, Udaipur · 4 min read
Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, 29 October this year. It is a long day for anyone keeping the fast, and a small gift in the evening, after the moon has been sighted, has become part of the tradition in many Udaipur homes.
Jewellery is the most common choice, but it is also where people most often get it wrong. A heavy piece that only comes out once a year is a lovely thought and a poor use of money. The best Karwa Chauth gifts are the ones she reaches for on an ordinary Tuesday. Here is how we would think about it.
Before choosing anything, take a quiet look at her jewellery box. Does she wear yellow gold every day, or mostly diamonds and white metal? Small studs or long earrings? Thin chains or nothing at all around the neck? Buying in the same style is the surest way to get a gift that gets worn.
If you really cannot tell, a classic piece in 22kt gold is the safest choice. It suits Indian clothes and western wear, and it holds its value.
You can see lighter everyday designs in our gold jewellery collection.
If this is a first Karwa Chauth after the wedding, or a milestone anniversary is close, diamonds make sense. Solitaire studs, a single diamond pendant or a slim diamond band are understated enough for daily wear and still feel special. Our diamond jewellery and solitaire pages show the kind of pieces we mean.
With diamonds, ask for the certificate and look at the stone in daylight as well as under the showroom lights. A well-cut smaller stone usually looks better than a larger one with a poor cut.
Some families like to give a piece that belongs to the evening itself: a mangalsutra, a maang tikka, or a set of bangles she wears for the puja. A kundan or polki maang tikka photographs beautifully with a red or maroon saree, and it can be worn again at weddings through the season.
Silver is worth considering too. A silver puja thali, a pair of silver payal or toe rings, or a silver karwa are thoughtful gifts at a lower price point, and silver has a place in the Karwa Chauth ritual in many homes. See our silver collection.
Gold prices change daily, so we will not quote numbers here, but this is roughly how the options line up from lighter to heavier spending:
Call us on +91 96024 69867 with a budget in mind and we will tell you honestly what it buys at that day’s rate.
Every gold piece carries the BIS hallmark and a six-digit HUID code, and your bill shows the weight, purity, the day’s rate and making charges separately. Ask for the bill to be itemised, keep it safely, and if you are unsure about any mark, our guide to checking the BIS hallmark explains what each one means.
Also ask about exchange and resizing terms before you pay, in case the size or style is not quite right.
Karwa Chauth is only a week before Dhanteras on 6 November and Diwali on 8 November, and the showroom gets busy on the days before each festival. If you can, come in a few days early when you have time to compare pieces without a crowd. If you are also planning Dhanteras purchases, our Dhanteras gold and silver guide may help.
Visit Alankar Jewellers, Udaipur
See our gold, diamond, polki and kundan collections in person at Alankar Jewellers, Udaipur, 8th Street, Hajareshwar Colony. Open Mon–Sat 11 am – 8:30 pm, Sun 11 am – 7 pm.