Diamond and Golden Mask Appear in India

Diamond Mask Price Approximately 2.4 Million to 6.4 Million KRW

Indian businessman Shankar Kurhade wearing a golden mask. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] In India, where the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading, diamond and gold masks worn by some wealthy individuals are attracting attention.

According to ANI News and others, a jeweler in Surat, western India, recently started selling masks embedded with diamonds.

The price ranges from 150,000 rupees (about 2.4 million KRW) to 400,000 rupees (about 6.4 million KRW).

The jeweler explained that the idea to create the masks came from requests by grooms and brides who wanted special masks for their weddings.

Deepak Choksi, who runs the jewelry store, said, "After the masks made by our jewelry designers sold well, we created various types of masks. The mask fabric was made in accordance with the government's quarantine guidelines."

Diamond-adorned masks sold at a jeweler in Surat, western India.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, in Pune, western India, businessman Shankar Kurhade attracted attention by wearing a gold mask worth 289,000 rupees (about 4.6 million KRW).

This mask, made over eight days, is thinly coated with 60g of gold.

Kurhade told AFP, "I don't know if this mask is effective in preventing infection, but when I wear it in the market, people are amazed and ask to take pictures with me."

Meanwhile, many poor people in India are unable to wear proper masks. It is reported that they cannot even obtain low-cost masks priced at 5 to 10 rupees (about 80 to 160 KRW) per piece with filters, so many use scarves wrapped around their mouths or homemade cloth masks as substitutes.