India's gold rush goes digital as consumers warm up to the idea of buying jewellery online
The Indian jewellery market, pegged at $91 billion in 2025, is expected to reach $146 billion by 2030. And ecommerce platforms are set to claim a growing slice of that pie.
Once a domain of velvet-lined trays and neighbourhood jewellers, jewellery shopping in India is undergoing a glittering transformation. What was long anchored in trust, tradition, and touch is now increasingly just a click away.
India's deep-rooted love affair with gold and diamonds is entering a bold new chapter: online. As digital platforms gain credibility through hallmark certifications, brand assurances, and seamless service, Indian consumers are warming up to the idea that buying fine jewellery doesn't necessarily require a trip to the store.
And the numbers prove it. According to a recent FICCI-Deloitte report, 73 % of consumers now begin their product discovery journey online, even for tactile categories like jewellery, while 53 % still lean on offline stores to seal the deal. But the tides are shifting fast.
The Indian jewellery market, pegged at $91 billion in 2025, is expected to reach $146 billion by 2030. And ecommerce platforms are set to claim a growing slice of that pie.
According to Siddharth Bhagat, Director, Amazon Fashion and Beauty, India, precious jewellery sales on the platform have surged 96 % year-on-year, with gold and diamond jewellery, including lab-grown diamonds, driving the demand.
Amazon's jewellery segment, covering hallmarked gold, diamond, silver and lab-grown diamond collections, has registered a sharp rise in consumer confidence.
With positive demand, the marketplace now has over 5 lakh styles from established brands such as CaratLane, PN Gadgil Jewellers, Joyalukkas, PC Chandra, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, and KISNA.
"Over the past few years, we have witnessed a shift in how customers select and purchase jewellery on Amazon Fashion, reflecting evolving consumer priorities, from impulse and occasion-led purchases to more informed, trust-driven decisions. Ahead of Dhanteras, precious jewellery sales have grown by 96 % year-on-year, with strong traction in hallmarked gold, diamond, and lab-grown diamond jewellery from some of India's top jewellery brands," Bhagat told PTI.
He noted that customers are increasingly choosing everyday-wear pieces in 14-karat gold, which has grown nearly 50 % year-on-year, followed by a strong uptick in 18-karat jewellery. The platform also reports that fine jewellery now starts at Rs 2,000 for sterling silver and goes up to Rs 40,000 for gold and diamond pieces, expanding affordability and access to a wider audience.
"The growing shift toward online shopping shows how quickly the jewellery market is embracing digital change, a move the industry fully supports. While physical stores still dominate big purchases like bridal or investment jewellery, the online space has found its place for everyday wear, lightweight designs, and jewellery in lower caratages such as 9K and 14K. Younger, tech-savvy shoppers appreciate the ease and variety that e-commerce brings," Aksha Kamboj, Vice President - India Bullion and Jewellers Association, said.
Currently, online jewellery sales account for around 8-10 % of India's market, while over 85 % of purchases still happen in stores. Although still small, online sales are growing fast and outpacing offline growth. This shows the market is moving toward a combined online-offline approach, rather than a competition between the two.
"By 2026, online sales are expected to cross 12 %, driven by tech adoption in smaller cities and younger shoppers who prefer digital buying. In this shift, stores will focus on creating memorable experiences, while online platforms will make browsing and buying easier, thereby keeping the retail market strong in both channels," Kamboj said.
In a sign of changing consumer preferences, Amazon has launched several collections of lab-grown diamonds at entry prices starting from Rs 1,699, tapping into sustainability and price-conscious trends in global luxury. Bhagat said Amazon is the first and only online marketplace in India specifically focusing on this segment's whitespace.
Online jewellery shopping's transformation is being driven by multiple trust-building factors: BIS hallmarking, purchase protection, easy exchange options, and brand-backed authenticity. These have collectively demystified the once "offline-only" purchase, extending jewellery retail beyond metros into Tier II and III cities.
"Looking ahead, the online jewellery segment is poised for substantial growth, propelled by increasing digital adoption in Tier II and III cities, the rapid expansion of quick commerce and direct-to-consumer (D2C) jewellery brands, the integration of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) for enhanced virtual try-on experiences, and rising consumer demand for certified, lightweight, and fashion-forward jewellery," Anand Ramanathan, Partner and Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte South Asia, said.
Amazon sees a greater footprint during religious occasions like Akshaya Tritiya and Dhanteras, with gold coin sales seeing a spike across the country.
"The trust built around authenticity and protection has been key to driving adoption," Bhagat added. "Jewellery shopping on Amazon Fashion is increasingly viewed not just as a festive indulgence, but as a high-trust, digitally enabled investment choice for customers across India."