Snapshot

• Why Kolkata is iconic:
  Kolkata is Eastern India’s largest gold jewellery manufacturing hub, renowned for intricate handcrafting techniques like filigree (tarakashi), nakashi (engraving), and meenakari (enamel work). The city has a 300+ year history of jewellery artistry dating back to Bengal’s royal patronage and Mughal influence.
  Known as the “City of Goldsmiths,” Kolkata houses ~1,200 jewellery manufacturing units and thousands of artisan workshops supplying handcrafted pieces across India and global diaspora markets.
  
• Global Positioning:
  Kolkata is a regional hub for designer jewellery, exporting handmade lightweight gold ornaments to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the US, and supplying heritage bridal jewellery pan-India.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Filigree Jewellery (Tarakashi)	Delicate lace-like ornaments, earrings, necklaces, bangles
Nakashi/Engraved Jewellery	Antique-style hand-engraved bridal pieces
Meenakari Jewellery	Enamelled bangles, pendants, traditional pieces
Lightweight Gold Jewellery	Daily wear chains, earrings, and rings
Temple Jewellery	South Indian-inspired motifs crafted in gold
Modern Designer Pieces	Custom bridal jewellery, fusion designs

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Artisan Base	~50,000 skilled artisans; generational goldsmith communities
Filigree Mastery	Globally recognized for Orissa-Bengal filigree craftsmanship
Heritage Legacy	Royal patronage and Mughal artistry influenced design vocabulary
Domestic Distribution	Supplies handcrafted jewellery to brands like PC Chandra, Senco Gold
Export Reach	Lightweight handmade jewellery exported to UAE, Singapore, US

Materials & Sustainability

• Primary Material: 22K and 18K hallmarked gold, sometimes with enamel or gemstone embellishments
  
• Innovation:
  
  • CAD/CAM integration for design precision while retaining handcrafting excellence
    
  • Laser soldering and 3D printing molds for lightweight, modern jewellery
    
• Sustainability:
  
  • BIS Hallmarking is mandatory for all gold jewellery sold in India
    
  • Increasing adoption of recycled gold and traceable sourcing practices
    

Cluster Infrastructure

• Manufacturing Areas: Bowbazar, Burrabazar, Bow Street, and nearby artisan hubs like Domjur and Howrah
  
• Institutions:
  
  • Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) – Eastern Region
    
  • Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Kolkata
    
  • West Bengal State Handicrafts & Handloom Development Corporation (Manjusha) for artisan promotion
    
• Markets: Bowbazar, Burrabazar, Hatibagan, Gariahat – prominent gold jewellery wholesale and retail hubs
  
• Logistics Advantage: Kolkata port and airport connectivity for export shipments
  

Compliance & Certifications

Certification	Details
BIS Hallmark	Mandatory certification for gold purity in India
ISO 9001	Adopted by organized manufacturing units
RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council)	Select exporters are RJC-certified
Fair Trade Practices	Growing artisan cooperatives working on traceability
GJEPC Support	Assistance in export documentation and global fairs

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Filigree Jewellery	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	20–50 pieces
Bridal Sets	2–3 weeks	8–10 weeks	5–10 sets
Lightweight Gold Jewellery	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	50–100 pieces
Designer/Custom Pieces	2–3 weeks	6–8 weeks	As per order

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: BIS hallmark stamps, QR-coded labels, artisan story cards for premium buyers
  
• Packaging: Luxury velvet boxes, tamper-proof pouches, anti-tarnish wrapping for exports
  
• Marketing Narrative:
  “Kolkata Gold Jewellery: The heart of India’s artisanal gold tradition, combining centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary design precision.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Gold QC: Purity testing via XRF machines, hallmark verification
  
• Craftsmanship QC: Filigree wire thickness checks, soldering quality, surface finishing
  
• Design QC: CAD drawings vs. product match, enamel quality for meenakari pieces
  
• Export QC: Secure packaging, anti-tamper sealing, and BIS-certified documentation
  

Price Drivers

• Gold price volatility (linked to international bullion rates)
  
• Weight and craftsmanship complexity (filigree and meenakari add labor cost)
  
• Certification and hallmarking fees
  
• Customization, gemstone additions, or designer collaborations
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Hallmarking Assurance: BIS-certified gold purity for all jewellery
  
• Generational Expertise: Heritage skills passed down through artisan families
  
• Regional Prestige: Kolkata is India’s largest handmade gold jewellery hub
  
• Export Credibility: GJEPC support and global buyer trust
  
• Traceability Drive: Gradual adoption of blockchain-based gold provenance