Jewellery isn’t just an ornament
it’s an emotion, an investment, and a legacy.

With rising gold and silver prices in 2025, buyers often wonder:
Should I choose handmade or machine-made jewellery?

Your choice depends on priorities — budget, design uniqueness, traditional value, and resale potential. This guide breaks down the key differences, costs, pros, and cons to help you make the right choice with confidence.

Feature	Handmade Jewellery	Machine-Made Jewellery
Craftsmanship	Skilled artisans craft each piece by hand	Precision machines produce uniform pieces
Design Uniqueness	Unique, intricate, and often custom-made	Mass-produced with limited complexity
Time to Make	Longer due to manual labour	Faster and efficient for bulk production
Making Charges	Higher: ₹700–₹1,000+/gram or 15%–25% of gold value	Lower: ₹300–₹600/gram or 5%–12%
Durability	More robust, especially for heavy designs	Consistent but may lack hand-finishing strength
Resale Value	Higher for designer handmade pieces	Easier to resell due to standard appeal

Why Are Handmade Jewellery Charges Higher?

Handmade Jewellery Involves:

Skilled karigars (artisans)

Custom or intricate designs

Longer time to craft

Higher chances of rework

Emotional and cultural value

Price Comparison for a 20g Bridal Necklace

Current gold price in Hyderabad: ₹9,219/g

Handmade Jewellery

Making charges: ₹400/g

Effective price/g: ₹9,219 + ₹400 = ₹9,619/g

Total Price:
20g × ₹9,619 = ₹1,92,380

Machine-Made Jewellery

Making charges: ₹100/g

Effective price/g: ₹9,219 + ₹100 = ₹9,319/g

Total Price:
20g × ₹9,319 = ₹1,86,380

Conclusion: Handmade jewellery costs ₹6,000 more for a 20g necklace due to higher making charges. Choose handmade for unique craftsmanship and custom designs, or machine-made for a more budget-friendly option with standard styles.

When to Choose Machine-Made Jewellery

Machine-Made Jewellery is Ideal For:

Budget-conscious buyers

Lightweight daily wear

Quick deliveries or gifting

Standard designs like chains & rings

Machines reduce labour time and wastage — savings passed to the buyer.

When Handmade is the Better Choice

Choose Handmade Jewellery For:

Bridal or heirloom sets

Antique, temple, or meenakari designs

Customisation & engraving

Emotional or spiritual value

No machine can replicate the soul of a handcrafted piece.

What About Resale Value?

When Reselling:

Making charges & VAC (Value Added Charges) are non-refundable

Handmade jewellery from brands like Tanishq or Malabar can command better resale if the design is still in demand

Machine-made jewellery is often easier to sell due to its mass appeal and standard weight

Resale depends on net gold weight and purity…

👉 Know your gold’s resale worth with our Sell Value Estimator in seconds.

Understanding Jewellery Charges in 2025

Making Charges

Making charges are the labour costs jewellers charge to convert raw gold or silver into beautiful ornaments.

Two Main Types:

Percentage-based: 8%–25% of the metal’s value
Fixed rate per gram: ₹500–₹1,000+/g depending on design

Why It Varies:

Design complexity
Handmade vs. machine-made
Jeweller reputation or branding

Example

A 10g gold chain with ₹700/g making charge = ₹7,000 just for craftsmanship.

Current gold price in Hyderabad: ₹9,219/g

Total Cost:
10g × ₹9,219 + ₹7,000 = ₹99,190

Wastage Charges

Wastage charges account for the minor loss of metal during cutting, melting, and polishing — even though actual wastage is minimal due to modern tech.

Typical Wastage Charges:

Gold: 3%–7%
Silver: 2%–5%

Example

If wastage is 5%, a 10g ring may be billed as 10.5g.

Current gold price in Hyderabad: ₹9,219/g

Total Cost:
10.5g × ₹9,219 = ₹96,799.5

Value-Added Charges (VAC)

VAC covers any premium features or finishing beyond basic crafting. These can significantly raise the price for designer or antique jewellery.

Common VACs Include:

Designer or brand markup
Stone setting, engraving, or polishing
Antique, meenakari, or temple work
BIS Hallmarking and certification

VAC Range:

Gold: 1%–10%
Silver: Often included in making charges

Example

A designer antique gold bangle may carry an extra 6% VAC due to handwork and finishing.

Quick Charges Comparison Table

Charge Type	Applies To	Typical Range	Why It Matters
Making Charges	Gold & Silver	8%–25% (Gold), 5%–20% (Silver)	Labour cost of crafting
Wastage Charges	Gold & Silver	3%–7% (Gold), 2%–5% (Silver)	Metal loss during crafting
Value-Added Charges	Mostly Gold	1%–25%, or fixed ₹/g	Premium designs, hallmarking, certifications

Choose handmade jewellery if you value custom design, craftsmanship, and sentimental value.

Choose machine-made jewellery if you want affordability, speed, and a practical design.

Whichever you prefer — always:

✅ Compare charges

✅ Check hallmarking

✅ Understand total cost before you buy

Resale Value Tips

Resale depends on net gold weight and purity.

Making charges & VAC are not refundable.

Branded handmade pieces may fetch higher value.

Simple machine-made designs are easier to resell.

♻️ Planning to exchange your old jewellery for a new design?
👉 Try our Exchange Value Estimator to know how much your gold is worth today.

Jewellery Buying Tips for 2025

Ask for a bill breakdown – See all components: metal, making, wastage, VAC

Inspect design closely – Handmade may show slight asymmetry

Confirm BIS hallmark – Assures metal purity

Negotiate smartly – Especially during off-season

Compare multiple stores – Rates vary significantly

💡 Making charges can vary from ₹500 to ₹1,000+ per gram…
👉 Estimate your jewellery’s final cost using our Buy Value Estimator before visiting the store.

Jewellers: How to Build Customer Trust in 2025

✅ Clearly label handmade vs. machine-made

✅ Offer transparent price breakdowns

✅ Educate buyers through blogs, videos, & demos

✅ Showcase your artisan team and ethical sourcing

✅ Provide hallmarking and quality certifications

Final Verdict

In 2025, buying gold or silver jewellery isn’t just about beauty — it’s about being informed. Whether you're choosing a handmade heirloom or a sleek, machine-made piece, knowing the making charges, wastage percentages, and value-added costs helps you spend smarter and avoid overpaying.

💡 Remember: The more transparent the billing, the more confident you can be in your purchase.

Want to Buy Jewellery Smarter in 2025?

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Tomorrow’s gold rate at your fingertips
7-day price predictions powered by AI
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🎯 Whether you're shopping for a wedding or a gift, understanding charges means more value for your money.

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