Taking jewellery from United States to India

Jewelry importation is handled under Rule 5 of the Customs Baggage rules, and is kind of different than all other rules (which would define, for example, household goods, or electronics, such as multiple laptops.)

Jewellery.

A passenger residing abroad for more than one year, on return to India, shall be allowed clearance free of duty in his bona fide baggage of jewellery upto [sic] a weight, of twenty grams with a value cap of fifty thousand rupees if brought by a gentleman passenger, or forty grams with a value cap of one lakh rupees if brought by a lady passenger.

I would add that Rule 5 (jewelry) is not part of the relaxation of allowances granted for extended stays (for things like un-accompanied baggage). Rule 5 basically stands alone and does not appear to be modified by any other rules or exceptions.

NOTE Please realize that anything I state, as an unknown Internet stranger, should be taken with a very large grain of salt, so to speak. My interpretation of the rules, is just that: my interpretation of the rules. Another Internet stranger may have a different interpretation. The only people who count are the Customs officers at your arrival point. My actual recommendation to you is to be able to pay 100% of the most expensive valuation of the jewelry using the highest exchange rate possible. That way, no matter what the officers decide, you are covered. If you can't afford to pay it, then why take the chance of having your gifts confiscated, or worse, being jailed for a crime you never intended to commit.