Gold Jewellery Making Charges in Pakistan (2026): What You'll Actually Pay

Walk into any sarafa bazaar in Pakistan and you'll hear two numbers: the gold rate per tola, and the "making" — the labour charge for turning that gold into jewellery. The first number is public and updates daily. The second is where most buyers overpay, because almost nobody explains it.

This guide does. No invented figures, no shop-talk jargon — just how making charges actually work in Pakistan in 2026, what you'll typically pay, and how to keep more of your money.

Making charges (also called labour charges or "mazdoori") are what the jeweller charges for the craftsmanship: melting, casting, filing, setting stones, polishing, and finishing your piece. They are separate from the gold itself.

Shops quote making charges in one of two ways: per gram (most common — a per-gram rate multiplied by the piece's weight), or flat per piece (sometimes used for small, standardised items).

As a general industry pattern in Pakistan, simple machine-made or plain designs sit at the lower end of the per-gram range, hand-finished and detailed pieces sit in the middle, and heavy bridal sets with intricate karigari sit at the top end. Rates also vary by city — Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad's established markets tend to be more competitive than smaller towns. Always confirm the exact per-gram figure with the shop before committing.

The gold portion uses the day's rate for the actual karat — 22K jewellery is priced at the 22K rate, not the 24K rate. The making charge is added on top.

Illustrative example (not today's rate — numbers simplified to show the maths): A 22K bangle weighing 1 tola, 22K rate Rs 100,000 per tola, making charges Rs 8,000 per tola. Gold value: Rs 100,000. Making: Rs 8,000. Total you pay: Rs 108,000. If you sell that bangle back next month, the dealer pays you for the gold content only — the Rs 8,000 in making charges does not come back.

Check the live gold rate on the day you buy so the shop's gold-rate quote matches the market — then negotiate the only part that's actually negotiable: the making.

Some shops add a separate "wastage" charge — historically meant to cover gold lost as filings and dust during crafting. In practice, modern workshops lose very little, but the charge persists in many quotes. Always ask: "Is wastage included in the making charge, or separate?" Get the answer before the bill is written, not after. If a shop quotes both high making and separate wastage, compare with the next shop.

When you sell gold jewellery, dealers pay for melt value: the weight of actual gold content at that day's rate for the actual karat. Labour has no resale value.

• Simpler designs preserve more value: A plain 22K bangle with low making charges loses far less at resale than an ornate set with heavy making charges.
• Keep itemised receipts: Insist on weight, karat, the day's gold rate applied, making charges, and wastage separately. (Our karat purity guide explains why the karat on that receipt matters so much.)
• Buy-back promises aren't free money: They typically mean the gold portion; making charges are still gone.

1. Get the per-gram making rate in writing before the design is finalised.
2. Compare 2–3 shops for the same design — differences of 20–30% between neighbouring shops are common.
3. Choose simpler designs where it doesn't matter — plain backs, simpler clasps, machine-finished sections.
4. Ask about wastage separately — "Is wastage included?" is the highest-value single question.
5. Time your purchase — making charges creep up during wedding and Eid seasons.
6. Pay by weight, not by "set price" — insist the bill shows each piece's weight separately.