Artificial jewelry sales soar ahead of Eid

Being light on purse, women prefer accessories to real ornaments

ISLAMABAD: The rise in gold prices in national and international market has compelled jewelry lovers to shift their interest to artificial jewelry. Being light in weight  and cheaper than gold, jewelry-loving women have thronged the markets for purchasing imitation jewelry ahead of Eidul Fitr.

However, the recent wave of surging dollar rates have also skyrocketed their prices while local-makers have decided to cash in this opportunity.

The markets in the federal capital including Moti Bazar, KartarPura Bazar, Laal Katarti, Bank Road, Mughal Sarai, Qasim Market etc are famous among women for cosmetics and jewelry shops where women keep scouring shops for hours in search of their favorite designs.

The jewelry lovers, Fatima, Urooj and Shahista said that light-weight artificial jewelry looked more adorable when worn.

While talking to the Express Tribune, they said that although the prices of artificial jewelry have surged but still it was important to accessorize Eid dress with jewelry.



A whole-seller of artificial jewelry, Tariq, said that gold jewelry was only famous in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Gulf countries while women in West , Thailand and China preferred light weighed artificial jewelry.

Commenting on the hike in jewelry prices, he held the rise in dollar exchange rates responsible and said that most of the jewelry was imported while the payments were made in equivalent dollar amounts.

A beautician applies makeup to a client at a parlour in Islamabad. PHOTO: REUTERS

Artificial rings made in Thailand were available in Rs.250 while artificial jewelry sets were available between Rs.1000-3000.

The jewelry made from threads, ribbon and paint could be purchased in range between Rs.100-500 while a set of imitated bangles could be purchased in Rs.500-2000 subject to the quality.

With Eidul Fitr just round the corner ,Beauty salons’ , like elsewhere in the country are doing a roaring business in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi offering attractive deals and packages for Eid customers.

Most of the beauty salons which provide skin care, facial aesthetic, foot care, hair treatment and many other services, are experiencing a heavy rush of fashion enthusiasts, especially young people.

According to beauticians, beauty parlours,are facing stiff competition, and offering discounts to its Eid time customers.

Beauticians claim that despite a rapid growth in parlours they are finding it difficult to cope with an unprecedented rush of customers, with more and more beauty conscious women visiting them on Eid.

A growing interest in glamour and fashion is supporting the growing industry, they added. Besides well-known parlours , thousands of small and big salons in towns are also providing employment to many henna experts.

Asma Sohail, a beautician said, everyone’s requirements will be different, but the demand for henna designs will be on top of all.

A beauty expert said customers are not happy with the Eid rush everyone wants to be serviced as early as they come because of this our old clients get angry.



A parlour owner Sadia Zohaib said that women were coming for facials and skin treatments with vegetables, fruits and herbal ingredients and massage for a fresher look.  She said women were also opting for pedicures, manicures, hair treatment and coloring their hair different shades including burgundy, golden brown, copper and blond. She said most women prefer layer cuts since it matches all face shapes while some preferred straightening their hair with a cut.

A homemaker said, to prepare for Eid, we need to do a lot of things. Apart from shopping, we spend time on pampering ourselves.                Beauty salons, with a view to draw more customers, have offered special deals for the treatments and services they provide, she added.

Some salons offer special packages to their customers, such as free haircuts, said Ushna Iman a young lady.

Many beauticians also say that though the regular customers keep visiting throughout the year, but on Eid they get clients who usually do not visit parlours.

They say that their businesses have expanded due to the growing interest in glamor and fashion in general.

A receptionist in-charge of a famous salon said, “We are fully booked at the moment. During the days before Eid, we make around 60 to 80 appointments.”

Yusra Shahbaz a beautician said, “We normally ask our customers to book one week in advance. For henna, we are fully booked, and clients will come a day or two before Eid.” “We bring very experienced and professional staff to give distinguished services without delay, Eid is a time when people of all ages come to beautify themselves”,

A manager of salon informed.that normally, beauty salons offer different packages much before Eid, but on chand raat, prices go up due to rush and shortage of staff a client said.

with additional input app 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2019.