What Are Making Charges?

Making charges are what you pay for turning metal into jewellery: the karigar's labour, design, moulds, polishing and the jeweller's margin on that work.

How they are charged

Per gram (flat). For example ₹450 per gram of gold. Common for machine-made chains and lightweight pieces.

As a percentage. For example 12% of the gold value. Common for handcrafted and designer work. Note that a percentage charge rises automatically when gold prices rise.

Typical ranges run from a few percent on simple machine-made items to well over 20% on intricate handmade or bridal work. Complexity is the driver — a filigree piece takes far more hours than a plain band.

Wastage

Some jewellers charge wastage separately, expressed as a percentage of gold weight. It nominally represents metal lost during manufacture. Others fold it into making charges. What matters is the total of making plus wastage — a low making charge alongside a high wastage percentage is not a better deal.

Where GST sits

GST applies to the invoice value, which includes making charges. So a higher making charge also raises the tax you pay.

What is negotiable

Making charges are the most negotiable line on the bill, especially during festival promotions where jewellers advertise reduced or waived making charges. The metal rate is not really negotiable.

The resale reality

You do not recover making charges when you sell. A piece bought with 20% making charges starts roughly 20% behind on resale value, before any buy-back deduction. This is the single strongest argument for buying coins or bars if your goal is investment rather than adornment.

Compare quotes properly

Ask each jeweller for: rate per gram, net gold weight, making charge, wastage, stone value, GST. Compare the final payable per gram of actual gold. That number is the only fair comparison.