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MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS
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GOLDSMITHY
Goldsmithy, is mostly a hereditary occupation and is practised since times immemorial. The discovery of various remains of ancient times shows that women of that period were fond of ornaments. Goldsmithy is generally followed by people from the Sonar Community of the Hindus. Goldsmiths are of two types; those who make and mould ornaments, and those who sell them.
The persons following the occupation generally combine the functions of gold and silversmithy as well as jewellery making so that no distinction could be made between them and the sarafs (shroffs). The occupation today is undertaken by those who have the requisite initiative and resources. The sarafs or shroffs sell precious metals, accept ornaments and other jewellery on mortgage and give money in return and charge a rate of interest.
The fixed capital required for the establishments which do not keep ready articles for sale is very small as they only execute the orders received from the customers. The tools and equipment required comprise anvils, bellows, hammer's, pots, crucibles, moulds, blow-pipes, and other such equipment for executing ornamental work. The cost of these tools and equipment ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 500. The other equipment found in a shop comprised a cupboard or two for keeping the finished articles and a bench or two for the customers.
The chief raw-material required for making the ornaments is either gold or silver, generally supplied by the customers, and in some cases, purchased by the goldsmith. The ornaments, the orders for which the goldsmiths execute, are Ekdani, Chaplahar, ear-rings, rings, etc. However as the fashions change, the goldsmiths adapt themselves to the changing fashions.
The net earnings of a goldsmith depend upon his reputation and the type of customers for whom he executes the work. The charge for the execution of work of any type depends upon the skill and dexterity required in the performance of the task. The occupation is seasonal and is generally brisk during the festival time, and the marriage season.
The Gold Control Rules promulgated in 1963, in the initial stages, prohibited all dealings in gold and making of new ornaments of gold with a purity of more than 14 carats. Gold ornaments of a purity permissible under the Rules are thus hardly in demand. The Rules considerably affected the business of the goldsmiths in the district. The recent amendment in the Gold Control Rules, however, makes provision for the remaking of gold ornaments already existing.
As per the 1961 Census, 695 persons (including 9 women) were employed in this occupation, which included manufacturers of jewellery, and silverware, and wares using gold and other precious metals also.
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