India, April 19 -- With gold rates soaring each day, Lucknowites are finding a way out by revamping and recycling old or vintage jewellery, and opting for lower-carat versions of the pricey alloy. Jewellery and aesthetics designer Vibha Suran says, "Be it festivals like Akshaya Tritiya or weddings, the tide has changed. Consumers are opting for a lower-carat version of gold, revamping their old designs, or even trading old items for new designs rather than buying new at high premiums." People are turning old or broken pieces into new, modern, and customised designs, ensuring the gold stays within the family while getting a fresh, wearable look. "Consumers are exchanging old jewellery," Suran adds. Ankur Anand, owner of HSJ, Gomti Nagar, says, "With prices of 24 carat touching Rs.1,54,000 and 22 carat not far behind, such trends are popular as they reduce making charges to an extent and maximise the value of existing gold, saving costs during times of intense price volatility. People have swiftly shifted to 14 and 18 carat, and it was expected. We are making these available in the best of designs, keeping up with the demand." Revamping is seen as a sustainable choice that preserves sentimental value. Riva Vinod Senapathi, a bride-to-be and a teacher at a private school, states, "With prices making holes in our purses, my family and I have opted for adding a bit of craftsmanship to our older pieces, which obviously have higher purity than modern alternatives. But we still have to purchase a few items, and thankfully for that, we had the 18-carat option, especially for regular jewellery like a gold chain and rings."...