Dhanteras Without Gold: Jewellery and Pooja Items to Buy Instead
by Jihaan Savla on Oct 17, 2026
Quick answer: If gold is out of budget this Dhanteras, you can still mark the day with a new purchase: a light fashion jewellery set or earrings for yourself, a gift for someone at home, or pooja items such as a diya, murti or sindoor dibbi. Fashion jewellery is not an investment and does not hold value like gold, so buy it to wear and enjoy, and order two to three weeks ahead because delivery takes 4 to 15 days.
Updated October 2026
Many families buy gold, silver or a new utensil on Dhanteras because the day is linked with wealth and fresh starts. When the gold price or the budget does not allow it, people look for something smaller that still feels like a proper purchase. This guide is for shoppers in that position. It explains what fashion jewellery can honestly do for the day, which pieces and pooja items are worth considering, and how to order in time. Saloni mainly sells imitation (artificial) jewellery in plated brass or alloy, plus some genuine sterling silver, so check the material on each listing.
Can I buy fashion jewellery on Dhanteras instead of gold?
Yes, many people do, and nothing stops you from marking the day with a smaller purchase. What you should not expect is the same thing as gold: fashion jewellery is made to be worn and enjoyed, it is not an investment, and it will not hold its value the way gold does. If tradition matters to you, keep a small genuine gold or silver item for the puja and use fashion jewellery for the wearing, the gifting and the festive outfits around it.
What fashion jewellery makes sense for Diwali week?
Pick pieces you will actually wear across the festival days. A light necklace set or pair of jhumkas goes with a saree or suit for the puja, a pair of studs works for the office days, and a set of bangles dresses up a simple outfit. Browse our Diwali jewellery and gifts and lightweight daily wear jewellery collections, and read the five days of Diwali jewellery plan to see what to wear on each day.
What can I buy for under Rs 1000 or Rs 500?
Earrings, studs, rings, bangles and smaller sets are the usual picks at these prices, and each listing shows the price and what is included. Start with jewellery under Rs 1000 or jewellery under Rs 500 and filter by what you need. Our guide to imitation jewellery gift ideas under Rs 1000 lists ideas by person.
Which pooja items can I buy instead of jewellery?
If you want something for the puja itself, look at the decor range: a diya, an idol or murti or a sindoor dibbi and kumkum box. Lakshmi coin items in our range are pooja decor, not jewellery, so buy them for the puja shelf and not to wear. The Diwali pooja decor and return gifts guide covers murti, diya, sindoor dibbi and pooja bells in more detail, and the decor accents collection shows all of them together.
What should I gift at Dhanteras if I am not buying gold?
Choose something small and useful rather than something that pretends to be gold. A pair of earrings for a sister or daughter, a bangle set for your mother, or a pooja item for a new home are all easy gifts, and a first Diwali after marriage calls for a slightly fuller look, which our guide to first Diwali after marriage jewellery covers. Say clearly on the card or in person that it is a fashion jewellery gift, so nobody mistakes it for gold.
When should I order so it arrives before Dhanteras?
Order at least two to three weeks before the day. We dispatch in 1-2 days and delivery across India takes 4 to 15 days, and the days just before Diwali are busy for every courier. Shipping is free across India. Open the parcel as soon as it arrives: damaged, defective or wrong items must be reported within 2 days of delivery.
How do I keep festive jewellery looking good after Diwali?
Put jewellery on after perfume and hairspray, wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth after wearing and store it dry in its own pouch. Our guide to storing artificial jewellery at home explains pouches and silica gel. Plating on fashion jewellery wears with sweat and moisture, so rotate your pieces and keep the festive set for festive days.
Saloni Fashion Jewellery is a Mumbai fashion jewellery brand with a showroom in Santacruz West. Browse earrings, bangles or necklace sets, or message us on WhatsApp at +91 98705 89560 to help pick a gift.