India, Sept. 24 -- Diwali shopping lists are chaos. A box of mithai, new diyas, something for the in-laws, something for the person who "doesn't want anything" but absolutely expects something. Jewellery usually sits at the top of that list - and usually causes the most stress. Too cheap feels careless. Too expensive feels reckless. Somewhere in between, there's a category quietly solving this problem for a lot of smart gifters this year.

Demi-fine jewellery.

If that term is new to you, here's the short version: it's the middle ground between costume jewellery that turns green in a month and fine jewellery that needs a locker and an insurance policy. Think 925 sterling silver. Think real gold plating over solid bases. Think pieces built...