
India's PNG Jewellers launches lightweight jewellery brand 'Lifestyle' as gold prices surge
ndia's
P N Gadgil Jewellers
on Tuesday launched
Litestyle
, a new sub-brand for lightweight and lower-carat jewellery, as record
gold prices
push consumers towards more budget-friendly options.
Gold prices have jumped sharply in the past few months, but consumers' budgets haven't risen in the same proportion, leading them to look for budget-friendly options, Saurabh Gadgil, chairman of the Pune-based company, told Reuters.
The
lightweight jewellery
segment is growing rapidly at around 30% per annum, and the company will launch 12 Litestyle stores this year to tap into this segment, Gadgil said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Reduza custos logísticos
Sistema TMS embarcador
Saiba Mais
Undo
Local gold prices, which hit a record high of 101,078 rupees per 10 grams on Monday, have risen 29% so far in 2025, after rising 21% in 2024.
Consumers are slowly adjusting to higher prices, Gadgil said, forecasting a 30% to 35% year-on-year jump in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 2026.
Live Events
Investment demand for
gold and silver
has been rising as both metals are yielding better returns than other asset classes, he added.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gold-silver rate today: Silver hits record Rs 1,07,425/kg on China demand, gold drops Rs 1,200/10g amid profit booking
Gold-Silver rate today : Silver futures surged to an all-time high of Rs 1,07,425 per kg on Tuesday, tracking strong global cues and optimism over rising industrial demand after better-than-expected retail data from China. In contrast, gold prices corrected sharply by Rs 1,200 amid profit-taking. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), July silver contracts rose Rs 860 or 0.80%, while on COMEX, silver gained $0.13 or 0.36% to trade around $36.64 per troy ounce, according to an ET report. 'China's May retail sales boosted the prospects of silver today,' said Anuj Gupta, Head – Commodity & Currency, HDFC Securities. He noted silver's performance in 2025 has yielded strong investor returns, with year-to-date gains of Rs 20,254 per kg (23%) and month-to-date gains of Rs 10,473 per kg (11%). Silver is now consolidating in the Rs 1,06,000–1,07,000 range and may rise further. 'If this momentum continues, silver could test Rs 1,11,000 per kg ($38),' said Renisha Chainani, Head of Research at Augmont. She pegged support at Rs 1,05,000 and resistance at Rs 1,11,000. Jateen Trivedi, VP – Commodity Research at LKP Securities, said geopolitical uncertainty and tariff-driven inflationary pressures would continue to support precious metals, adding that 'gold's haven appeal is also set to strengthen amid rising West Asia tensions.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Godrej Majesty | Luxurious 3 & 4 BHK Homes at ₹2.39 Cr* Godrej Majesty Learn More Undo Meanwhile, Gold prices dropped sharply in the national capital on Tuesday, falling Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,00,170 per 10g, as global cues turned weak and traders booked profits amid Israel Iran tensions. According to the All India Sarafa Association, gold of 99.9% purity fell from Monday's closing rate of Rs 1,01,370. Gold of 99.5% purity declined Rs 1,100 to Rs 99,450 per 10g, slipping below the Rs 1 lakh mark. 'Gold corrected further on Tuesday as traders reevaluated the likelihood of a full-scale regional war between Israel and Iran. Reports suggest Iran is actively pursuing a diplomatic solution,' said Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities. Spot gold was trading at $3,380.65 per ounce in global markets. Analysts said prices softened as investors locked in recent gains and awaited cues from the US Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision. 'Gold is trading negative despite the escalation in the Middle East. The precious metal saw profit-taking at higher levels,' said Rahul Kalantri, Vice-President – Commodities at Mehta Equities, quoted PTI. Kalantri noted that silver retreated from day's highs ahead of the Fed's policy announcement, but underlying uncertainty and geopolitical risks could keep prices supported. Chintan Mehta, CEO of Abans Financial Services, said investors are also tracking key US macroeconomic indicators — including May's retail sales and industrial production data — to gauge the strength of the economy. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Blackstone buys Kolkata's South City Mall for ₹3,250 crore
Bengaluru: Global asset manager Blackstone Group has acquired South City Mall in Kolkata for ₹ 3,250 crore from South City Projects, in the largest retail asset buyout in recent years. South City Projects is a consortium of real estate developers and business families in Kolkata. Launched in January 2008, South City is the largest shopping mall in eastern India, with over a million sq. ft. The deal took around nine months to close. Property consultancy Anarock Group was the transaction adviser. 'We are thrilled to strengthen our presence in India and invest in this iconic asset. South City Mall is a definitive destination in Kolkata for shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment," Asheesh Mohta, head of real estate acquisitions—India, Blackstone, said in a statement. 'We are committed to continuing South City Group's wonderful work and positioning South City Mall for long-term success, benefiting from our scale, operational expertise, and deep experiences in the retail sector, particularly in India, where we own one of the largest retail portfolios,' Mohta added. Nexus Select Trust, India's first and only publicly listed retail-focused real estate investment trust (Reit), is backed by Blackstone. Sushil Mohta, chairman of real estate firm Merlin Group and director of South City Projects, says, 'South City Mall is a prime retail asset in south Kolkata. The mall has numerous premium retail and lifestyle brands." Blackstone has acquired the mall in Kolkata, at a time when Mumbai-based Phoenix Mills Ltd, the largest shopping mall developer, is building a large mall in the city's upscale Alipore neighbourhood. 'South City Mall has a very high footfall, ranging between 55,000-60,000 daily, surging to 75,000–200,000 during weekends and festive seasons,' said Soumendu Chatterjee, regional director—land, Anarock Group. Blackstone has invested in multiple real estate asset classes in the country, including commercial office, retail, warehousing, and, more recently, residential. Over 16.6 million sq. ft of new Grade A mall supply is expected to enter the top seven cities in 2025 and 2026, as consumer demand and leasing momentum remain high, as per Anarock research. With a combined 65% share of this supply, Hyderabad and Delhi-National Capital Region will command the lion's share among the top cities.


Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fortified and hidden: Why Iran's Fordow nuclear site is critical; how could Israel try to take it out?
File photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showing an illustration as he described his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters. (Pic credit: AP) As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, a chilling question arises: Could this spiral into a nuclear crisis? In the past five days, the situation has worsened, with Israel reportedly targeting nuclear sites in Tehran. Experts warn that any further escalation could be catastrophic. At the heart of these rising tensions lies Iran's most secretive and fortified nuclear facility, Fordow. Why is Fordow critical? Tucked deep beneath a mountain near Qom, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is one of Iran's most secretive and heavily fortified nuclear sites. Its underground design—80 to 90 meters below the surface—makes it virtually impenetrable to aerial strikes, even with the most advanced bunker-buster bombs in Israel's arsenal. Originally exposed in 2009 through Western intelligence, Fordow was built in secrecy and designed for survivability, especially in the face of potential military attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. What makes Fordow particularly alarming to global powers is its capacity to enrich uranium to levels close to weapons-grade. According to the IAEA, the site now houses 2,700 centrifuges and has been enriching uranium to 60%—a short technical step away from the 90% needed for nuclear weapons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Fordow's nuclear threat According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), uranium enriched to 83.7% purity was found at the site in 2023, dangerously close to the 90% enrichment level needed for nuclear weapons. Experts warn that Iran could produce enough material for multiple bombs in just weeks if it chooses to weaponize its stockpile. Fordow's strategic importance lies not only in its enrichment capabilities but in its symbolic and operational role as a hardened fallback facility, raising the stakes of any military or diplomatic attempt to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Despite repeated Israeli attempts to neutralize it, Fordow remains intact. Only the US possesses the kind of ordnance—like the GBU-57 bunker-buster—that might reach its buried core, and even that would likely require multiple strikes. For Iran, Fordow is a nuclear insurance policy. For the world, it is a red line—and possibly a countdown. "The Iranians fully understood that the Israelis would try to get inside their programs, and they built Fordo inside of a mountain a long time ago to take care of the post-Iraq problem," said Vali Nasr, an Iran expert who is a professor at Johns Hopkins University. The one bomb that could break through Only one known weapon could potentially take out Fordow: the US-made 30,000-pound bomb. This bomb, also called "bunker buster," is capable of burrowing through rock and steel before detonating. Key features: Length: 20 feet Weight: 30,000 pounds Carrier: Only the American B-2 stealth bomber can carry it Purpose: Destroy deep, fortified bunkers like Fordow But there's a catch: Israel doesn't have it. The United States has consistently denied Israeli requests for the bomb, citing fears that its use could provoke a full-scale regional war. "We've had a policy for a long time of not providing those to the Israelis because we didn't want them to use them," said general Joseph Votel, former head of US central command. What can Israel do instead? While Israel lacks the bunker buster or a heavy bomber to deliver it, it hasn't given up on options: Targeting power infrastructure: One feasible strategy is to destroy power generation and transmission systems around Fordow, temporarily disabling operations. Sealing entrances: Strikes on the access points of the underground complex could trap equipment and personnel, rendering parts of the facility unusable. Special forces insertion: A bold but dangerous option involves Israeli commandos infiltrating the facility, planting explosives, and sabotaging it from within. Israel reportedly floated such plans to the Obama administration years ago. Air supremacy tactics: With Israel having temporarily gained air dominance over large swathes of Iran, it could loiter over Fordow and disrupt activities, although this wouldn't eliminate the facility. "The Israelis have sprung a lot of clandestine operations lately," said general Kenneth McKenzie Jr, former commander of US central command. "But the physics of the problem remain the same." Would the US step in? While the US has moved aircraft and refuelling tankers into the region, there's no indication yet that US President Donald Trump is prepared to shift long-standing US policy and provide Israel with the bomb. Officials warn that deploying it would involve complex coordination and risk significant collateral and geopolitical fallout. "If we use the bunker buster, there could be nuclear contamination," general Votel said. "I think there would also certainly be fallout internationally over the idea that the United States joined Israel in what would be viewed as an illegal attack on the sovereignty of Iran," he added. Why the stakes are so high Fordow is not just a physical challenge—it is a political one. An Israeli strike on the site, especially with US involvement, could trigger Iranian retaliation against American assets across the Middle East and plunge the region into another war. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and remains a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). But with enrichment levels rising and regional threats mounting, international anxiety over Fordow continues to grow. Fordow symbolises the nuclear stalemate between Iran and its adversaries. For Israel, it represents the limits of its conventional reach. For the US, it is a geopolitical tripwire. And for Iran, it remains a testament to strategic foresight in the face of existential threats. As the Middle East teeters on the edge of a broader conflict, what happens—or does n't—at Fordow could shape the course of history.