No evidence gold thieves targeting Indian-Americans, Woodbridge officials say
In this October 2006 file photo, a customer holds a gold necklace while shopping at an Indian-American jeweler in Iselin on Dhantara, a day when people purchase precious metals and jewelry. Staff photo: Augusto F. Menezes
Police in Mercer County believe Indian-American collectors of gold are being targeted by thieves, who have struck homes and businesses dozens of times in the past six months, according to a report today in the Star-Ledger.
But officials in Edison and Woodbridge believe the appearance of a trend may just be an illusion owing to the high density of Indian-Americans living in buildings that are burglarized.
"[O]fficials in Woodbridge, where Indian-Americans accounted for one out of every 10 residents in the last Census, say they have found no evidence of a targeted burglary campaign. John Hagerty, a municipal spokesman, said police have pored over crime statistics in search of such a pattern and have not found one," the Ledger reports.
"Overall, burglary has declined markedly in the township, dropping by 38 percent between 2008 and 2009, Hagerty said."
Below is a story from the Home News Tribune archive about the role of gold and jewelry in Indian-American culture.
Jewelry is investment, fashion statement
Friday, January 4, 2008
By RITU JHA | STAFF WRITER
Often in India the talk that revolves around the new brides' sasural, or in-law's home, includes how much and how many varieties of jewelry she had been adorned with by her family.
"It's an Indian culture," said Krishna Kumari of Piscataway, who buys gold jewelry and coins throughout the year.
She said, "gold is a good investment when compared to any other jewelry. It's easily convertible, and its price never goes down."
It isn't just a gift, she said, but security for a rainy day. Even today, in many regions of India, in-laws negotiate gifts of gold before marriage — as a form of dowry.
She said that for many women who aren't highly educated, jewelry is still considered their streedhan, or property.
"It gives a sense of security, confidence and pride to a woman who owns it," Kumari said.
Kumari said that even for those women who are independent, these ornaments hold a tangible value.
In the Diaspora, though, jewelry isn't generally held in the same high regard — as an asset — but has been transformed into more of a fashion accessory for daily life.
The kind of jewelry a person buys varies according to many factors, including the region the buyer is from and his or her wealth and taste.
People from Southern India tend to wear stones studded in gold, for example, whereas people from Western India wear kundan or meenakari — enameled gold with glass or diamond studs. Those who hail from Eastern and Northern India are more likely to wear pure gold jewelry.
But this practice does not depict the trend of jewelry purchases on Oak Tree Road.
"It's changing. Now people of Northern India want to wear Southern-style jewelry," said Radheshyam Joshi, manager at Raj Jewels on Oak Tree Road in Edison.
Joshi said popular tastes shift every few years and that Victorian and other antique jewelry is now in vogue.
But these tastes can be expensive to maintain; an item of Victorian jewelry can cost between $12,000 to $30,000 because these are crafted on white gold and embedded with uncut-pure diamonds.
Meena, or enameled gold jewelry, and precious and semi-precious stones, too, are very popular, Joshi said. Plain gold jewelry is out of favor, he said.
He said the second generation customer has adopted the traditions of their American peers. "They come and buy diamond rings for engagements, and diamond pendants, too," he said.
"It's true. They prefer diamonds over gold. My daughter loves to wear diamonds," said Surabhi Agarwal of South Brunswick, who recently celebrated her daughter's 16th birthday.
Agarwal said that during the sweet 16 celebration,"my daughter wore my traditional meena jewelry from Rajasthan." Which she said she plans to pass on to her on the day of her wedding.
But not everyone can spend $12,000 to purchase gold or diamonds, said Ketan Kakkad, owner of Jaipur Jewelers on Oak Tree Road. Kakkad has been selling all types of jewelry — from diamonds and gold to precious and semi-precious stones — for the past 10 years. He said that his customers, understandably, want to purchase the jewelry that looks the best and costs the least.
He said semi-precious jewelry has become very common since the cost of individual items ranges only from $250 to $2,000.
"If one gets the finest taste for low prices, why would they spend a big amount on jewelry?" Kakkad asked.