'0% making charge on gold jewellery': It’s actually costing you more, a banker explains how

That “0% making charges” tag on gold jewellery? It might cost you more than you think, warns investment banker Sarthak Anuja.

In a LinkedIn post, Sarthak Anuja, an investment banker, cautioned consumers against falling for the popular “0% making charge” pitch used by jewellers. “It’s a marketing trick to attract customers,” he wrote. “And most people don’t realise how they end up overpaying.” Advertisement

Anuja outlined five hidden ways jewellers still make money—often more than traditional making charges.

1. Inflated Gold Rates:

“Consumers Google the gold rate, but jewellers often quote Rs 200 more per gram,” he said. On a 50g purchase, that’s a ₹10,000 markup—effectively a 2% hidden charge.

2. Separate Wastage Charges:

While actual gold wastage is 2–3%, jewellers often bill 5%, c