At Kirthi Diamonds — founded in 2006, with our family in the diamond trade since 1975, and boutiques in Kochi and Calicut — we are in our nineteenth Onam season. Here is the guide we give every Onam visitor at the boutique. What people traditionally buy during Onam in Kerala Onam jewellery purchases cluster around four categories. Understanding which category you are in shapes which offer is actually worth taking. 1. Traditional gold sets gifted within the family Onam is when families upgrade or extend gold holdings — typically 22kt necklaces, bangles, and chains given as Onakkodi alongside the new clothes. For diamond accents within these traditional designs, the priority is BIS-hallmarked gold first and certified diamond accents second. 2. First diamond pieces for younger buyers A growing Onam category is the first significant diamond purchase — typically a solitaire pendant, a pair of diamond studs, or a small bridal-style piece — bought during the festival for a daughter, niece, or for oneself. For this category, the priority is GIA or IGI certification on the central stone. 3. Investment-grade solitaires Larger Onam-season buys — 1+ carat investment-grade solitaires — also occur, often by families preparing for a wedding in the next 12–18 months. These purchases require strict 4C grading and an explicit buyback policy. 4. Inheritance restyling Families bring older pieces from grandmothers and great-grandmothers to be restyled before Onam wear. This is one of the most reliably high-impact Onam services for buyers because the value of the original gold and stones is largely preserved while the piece becomes wearable. What to look for in an Onam diamond jewellery offer Almost every Kerala jeweller runs Onam offers. The headline-grabbing offers are often less valuable than they appear. Here is what to evaluate, in order: 1. Making-charge discount versus stone-cost discount A "20% off on making charges" offer reduces only the labour component of the price — typically 8–25% of the total. On a ₹3 lakh purchase, that is a real ₹4,800–₹15,000 saving. A "₹2,500 off per gram of gold" offer is genuinely material; verify the gram rate against the daily Kerala BIS hallmarked gold rate. 2. Free-add bundle value Onam offers often include a free smaller piece (a chain, earrings, a pendant) with a larger purchase. Treat this honestly — the free piece has real value only if it is something you would have bought anyway. If not, calculate the offer as if the free piece is worth zero and decide on that basis. 3. The certificate and hallmarking are included as standard, not as an "offer" Beware of offers that present GIA/IGI certification or BIS hallmarking as a special inclusion. These are baseline expectations — the certification cost is already inside the diamond cost, and BIS hallmarking is legally required on all gold sold in India. At Kirthi Diamonds every loose diamond above 0.30 carats comes with its full GIA or IGI certificate and every gold component is BIS hallmarked, regardless of season. 4. Buyback and exchange policy in writing The single most valuable feature an Onam offer can include is a **lifetime buyback policy written on the invoice**, not verbally. This is the difference between a ₹5 lakh piece you can resell at fair value in 10 years versus one you cannot. 5. Festival-bonus EMI For larger purchases — ₹5 lakh and above — interest-free EMI offers via partner banks can be more valuable than headline discounts. Compare the EMI total against the cash-discount equivalent over the EMI period before choosing. Why boutique jewellers offer better Onam value than chain stores This is not marketing — it is structural. Three reasons: 1. **Lower fixed costs.** A boutique jeweller's brand-advertising budget is a fraction of a national chain's. That saving flows into either lower prices or richer included policies. 2. **Direct stone sourcing.** Boutiques like Kirthi Diamonds source loose stones directly from cutting centres in Surat, Mumbai, and Antwerp, bypassing the wholesale layer that adds 5–15% to chain-store stone costs. 3. **No discount of the buyback policy.** Chain stores often cap buyback at a fixed percentage. Boutique buyback policies are tied to the original certificate and prevailing market value, which preserves more of the original purchase. Kirthi Diamonds' Onam 2026 inclusions For Onam 2026 (period: 1 August to 30 September 2026), every Kirthi creation continues to include as standard: - GIA or IGI certificate on every loose diamond above 0.30 carats. - BIS hallmarking on every gold component. - **Lifetime buyback and exchange** written on the invoice. - A private boutique appointment for selection and fitting at either Kochi or Calicut. - Festival-period EMI options across partner banks for purchases above ₹3 lakh. - Heritage-design consultation for any bespoke or restyling commission. We do not run discount-driven Onam campaigns because the value is built into the included policy, not bolted on for the festival. What we do offer Onam-period buyers is **priority appointment access** at both boutiques and **complimentary heritage consultation** for any restyling or bespoke commission booked during August and September. How to plan an Onam diamond purchase 1. **Decide your category first** (gift, first diamond, investment, restyling). This shapes everything else. 2. **Book a private appointment** at the boutique before Atham (15 August 2026) to avoid the muhurtham-week rush. 3. **Verify the certificate, hallmarking, and policy in person** — every Onam, every year. 4. **Get the invoice in writing with the buyback policy stated** — not on a separate brochure. 5. **Photograph the piece** before leaving the boutique. Keep the certificate separately from the piece itself. Frequently Asked Questions When is Onam 2026 and how far in advance should I buy diamond jewellery for it? Onam 2026 begins with Atham on 15 August and the central Thiruvonam day is 25 August. For bespoke or commissioned pieces, allow 6–10 weeks — book in June. For ready boutique pieces, the first two weeks of August are ideal; avoid the final week, when boutiques are at peak demand. Are Onam diamond jewellery offers genuinely cheaper, or is it a markup-then-discount cycle? Both happen, depending on the retailer. The reliable savings are on making-charge discounts and EMI offers. Treat headline percentage-off claims with care unless you have an off-season reference price for the same SKU. Boutique jewellers like Kirthi Diamonds keep base pricing consistent year-round and instead include richer policies (certification, hallmarking, lifetime buyback) as standard. What is the most popular Onam diamond purchase for first-time buyers? A 0.30–0.50 carat IGI-certified diamond pendant on a 22kt BIS-hallmarked gold chain. This sits in the ₹40,000–₹90,000 range depending on the central stone's exact grade and the gold weight. It is wearable daily and serves as the foundation for a future bridal or investment piece. Can I commission a bespoke Onam piece in less than six weeks? For simple commissions — solitaire pendants, single stud pairs, eternity bands — three to four weeks is achievable. For full bridal sets and elaborate antique-style designs, plan six to ten weeks. The Kirthi Diamonds bespoke calendar typically books out two months in advance during Onam season. Where can I see Onam 2026 collections in person? At Kirthi Diamonds Kochi (34/572 By Pass Road, Palarivattom, Mon–Sat 10am–7:30pm) and Calicut (61/11508A, opposite Federal Bank, Puthiyara, Mon–Sat 9:30am–7:30pm). Private appointments for the Onam period open from 15 July 2026. Call +91 98470 86990 to book.