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To: RJA_ who wrote (34488)	5/6/2008 12:52:22 AM
From: arun gera	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 217753

RJA, I am certainly not an expert on this topic. But here goes: >So, Arun, the gold purchased during the Indian wedding season is mostly jewelery for the bride?> The bride gets a life's worth of jewelery at the wedding. The husband's female family members get smaller token jewelry or that may be skipped. Of course, there is some encouragement for other attendees to buy jewelry to look good at the wedding. >And is this mainly gifts?> Yes. The bride gets from both her side and from the groom's side. Close relatives also throw in small amounts. >Does the basis for this custom have anything to do with its use as a store of value (as opposed to currency) or religious significance, or is it just the most appropriate gift (historical custom)?> Mostly custom. Also prestige - a show of wealth. Like how all big weddings are. It is implictly a store of value and is the property of the bride. Only to be sold under extreme circumstances. It is considered really shameful and a husband is considered a complete failure in life, if the family is forced to pawn the wife's jewelry. >Is this behavior limited to certain religions, regions, or economic strata?> It seems universal. I have seen some of the poorest women wearing a fair amount of gold. But in the south, where weddings are normally not as lavish as in the north, gold jewelery is given a larger weightage. >As this appears to be an important support for the world wide gold market, anything you can add here would be welcome.> As again, it is better to ask an Indian woman, if one is on this board. Thanks! RJA