With gold prices touching an all-time high and diamonds losing its value in the past six months, customers find the latter affordable this festive season.

The jewellery-buying spree, which commences during Navratri, reaches a crescendo on Dhanteras — the day traditionally considered auspicious for purchasing gold. Unlike past year, when buying activity was subdued, owing to the global downturn, jewellery houses are expecting robust sales this time around.

However, jewellers feel that this year diamonds are eclipsing the yellow metal’s popularity, owing to the record-high gold rates.