Frequently Asked Questions

BIS Hallmark is a certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards that guarantees the purity of gold. It consists of:

• BIS Logo: The official mark of Bureau of Indian Standards
• Purity Grade: Shows the karatage (e.g., 22K916 means 91.6% pure gold)
• Assaying Center Mark: Identifies where the jewellery was tested
• Jeweller's Mark: Our unique identification mark
• Year of Marking: Alphanumeric code indicating the year

All gold jewellery at Shyam Sundari The Jewellers is 100% BIS Hallmarked, ensuring you get exactly the purity you pay for.

The main difference is the percentage of pure gold:

• 24K Gold: 99.9% pure gold (too soft for jewellery, used for coins/bars)
• 22K Gold: 91.6% pure gold - Ideal for traditional jewellery, has a rich yellow color. Best for necklaces, bangles, and bridal jewellery.
• 18K Gold: 75% pure gold - More durable due to higher alloy content. Perfect for daily-wear rings, diamond-studded jewellery, and modern designs.

We recommend 22K for traditional and bridal jewellery, and 18K for diamond-studded or daily-wear pieces.

Yes, absolutely! We offer a 100% purity guarantee on all our gold jewellery. If any piece purchased from us is found to have lesser purity than marked (when tested at a BIS certified assaying center), we will:

• Provide a full refund of the purchase amount
• Reimburse the testing charges
• Replace the piece if preferred

This is our commitment to transparency and trust since 1996.

The 4 C's are the universal standard for evaluating diamond quality:

• Carat: The weight of the diamond. 1 carat = 0.2 grams. Larger diamonds are rarer and more valuable.
• Cut: The most important factor affecting brilliance. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully. We recommend Excellent or Very Good cut grades.
• Color: Graded from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). D-F are the most valuable. We offer D-J grade diamonds.
• Clarity: Refers to internal inclusions and external blemishes. FL (Flawless) to I3 (Included). We offer VS1-SI2 clarity for best value.

Our experts will guide you to find the perfect balance of the 4 C's for your budget.

Yes, all our solitaire diamonds are certified by internationally recognized gemological laboratories:

• GIA (Gemological Institute of America): The most respected and consistent grading authority worldwide.
• IGI (International Gemological Institute): Highly reputable, especially popular in India.

Each solitaire comes with its original certificate detailing the 4 C's, measurements, and a unique identification number. We guarantee the authenticity of every certificate.

At Shyam Sundari The Jewellers, we specialize in 100% natural, earth-mined diamonds. We believe in the rarity, enduring value, and timeless beauty of natural diamonds that have formed over billions of years.

While lab-grown diamonds are available in the market, our focus remains on authentic, natural diamonds that carry the legacy and investment value our customers trust.

Gold jewellery pricing is completely transparent at Shyam Sundari:

• Gold Value: Based on the day's prevailing market rate × actual weight of gold in grams
• Making Charges: Varies by design complexity (typically 8-25% of gold value)
• Stone Charges: Additional cost for diamonds or colored stones (if applicable)
• GST: 3% on gold jewellery (as per government regulations)

Your invoice will show a complete breakup of all these components.

Making charges cover the cost of craftsmanship, design, and labor involved in creating your jewellery.

Charges vary based on:

• Design Complexity: Intricate handcrafted designs have higher charges
• Machine-made vs Handmade: Handmade pieces command premium charges
• Karatage: 18K typically has slightly higher making charges than 22K

We offer some of the lowest making charges in Varanasi while maintaining the highest quality craftsmanship. Exact charges are discussed before you make a purchase.

We accept multiple payment methods for your convenience:

• Cash: Accepted at our store
• UPI: Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM
• Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, American Express
• Bank Transfer: NEFT/RTGS/IMPS
• Cheque: Subject to clearance (3-5 working days)

Note: For high-value purchases, we may require PAN card details as per government regulations.

Yes, we offer EMI options through:

• Credit Card EMI: Available on major bank credit cards (3, 6, 9, 12 months)
• Bajaj Finserv EMI: Flexible tenure options available

Please visit our store or contact us for current EMI offers and eligibility details. Terms and conditions apply.

We offer Lifetime Exchange on all jewellery purchased from Shyam Sundari The Jewellers:

• Exchange your jewellery anytime for another design
• 100% value of gold credited at prevailing market rates on the day of exchange
• Diamond value assessed based on current market conditions
• Original making charges are non-refundable
• New making charges will apply on the exchanged piece
• Original invoice must be presented

Exchange value can be used for any product in our store.

Yes! We offer a Lifetime Buyback policy:

• 100% of prevailing gold rate for jewellery purchased from us
• For jewellery from other jewellers: Value based on purity testing at our store
• Original invoice and certificates must be presented (for our products)
• Payment via bank transfer or cheque
• Buyback value for diamonds is assessed by our gemologist

Visit our store with your jewellery for a free evaluation and quote.

Yes, we accept old gold jewellery from any jeweller for exchange or buyback:

• Jewellery will be tested for purity at our store (in your presence)
• Value will be calculated based on the tested purity and current gold rate
• A small testing/melting charge may apply for non-hallmarked jewellery
• Exchange value can be used towards any new purchase
• Valid ID proof required as per regulations

We maintain complete transparency throughout the process.

Absolutely! We specialize in creating bespoke jewellery tailored to your vision:

• Bring your design ideas, sketches, or reference images
• Our designers will work with you to create detailed sketches or 3D renders
• Choose from various metal options (22K, 18K gold) and stones
• We provide a cost estimate before beginning work
• 50% advance payment required to start custom orders
• Delivery timeline: 15-45 days depending on complexity

Custom pieces are non-returnable but covered under our lifetime exchange policy.

Custom jewellery timeline depends on design complexity:

• Simple modifications: 7-15 days
• Standard custom designs: 15-30 days
• Intricate bridal pieces: 30-60 days
• Complex Kundan/Meenakari work: 45-90 days

We provide a realistic timeline during consultation and keep you updated throughout the crafting process. Rush orders may be accommodated with additional charges.

Yes, we can remount or reuse your old gold and stones! This is a great way to preserve family heirlooms while creating something fresh:

• Gold: Your old gold can be melted, purified, and reused. A small wastage/melting charge applies.
• Diamonds: Existing stones can be reset into new designs. Our gemologists will assess stone condition first.
• Colored Stones: Emeralds, rubies, and other stones can also be reused subject to condition.

We maintain complete transparency about any loss in gold weight during the melting/purification process.

Visit us at:
Shyam Sundari The Jewellers
Mahaveer Mandir Road, Orderly Bazar,
Varanasi - 221002, Uttar Pradesh, India

Store Timings:
Monday - Saturday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Contact:
📞 +91 92949 29477
💬 WhatsApp: +91 92949 29477

We recommend calling ahead for bridal consultations or custom design appointments.

Walk-ins are always welcome! However, we recommend scheduling an appointment for:

• Bridal consultations: Dedicated time with our bridal expert
• Custom design discussions: Detailed consultation with our designers
• High-value purchases: Private viewing experience
• Weekend visits: To avoid waiting during peak hours

You can book an appointment by calling us or sending a WhatsApp message.

Yes! We offer complimentary services for our customers:

• Free Cleaning & Polishing: Lifetime complimentary service for jewellery purchased from us
• Rhodium Plating: Available for white gold jewellery (charges apply)
• Stone Tightening: Free inspection and tightening of loose settings
• Clasp/Lock Repair: Minor repairs at nominal charges

For jewellery not purchased from us, cleaning and repair services are available at reasonable rates.

While we don't directly provide insurance, we can assist you in getting your jewellery insured through trusted insurance partners.

We provide:

• Detailed invoice with complete description for insurance purposes
• Professional valuation certificates (on request)
• Guidance on insurance options available in India

Most home insurance policies offer jewellery coverage. We recommend insuring high-value pieces for peace of mind.