Gold 24K₹14,550/g+0.46%
Silver 999₹220/g+0.46%
Sensex74,470-0.35%
Nifty 5023,040-0.46%
Gold 24K₹14,550/g+0.46%
Silver 999₹220/g+0.46%
Sensex74,470-0.35%
Nifty 5023,040-0.46%

How to buy gold in India — a practical buyer guide

Buying gold is routine for many Indian families, but the invoice is easy to misread. This guide walks through a clear process you can use whether you are shopping for wedding jewellery in Mumbai, coins in Delhi, or daily-wear designs in any other city.

1. Check today's reference rate before you enter the store

Start with a trusted per-gram and per-10g benchmark for 24K and 22K. On The Gold Rate you can open your city page, note the update time, and keep the 10g figure handy — that is how most Indian buyers compare quotes. Remember: the store invoice will still add making charges and GST.

Useful starting points: Mumbai gold rate, Delhi gold rate, and the jewellery cost calculator.

2. Decide the product: jewellery vs investment metal

Jewellery (usually 22K / 916) is worn and gifted; investment products (24K coins, bars, SGBs, gold ETFs) prioritise purity and lower making charges. Mixing the two goals on one invoice often leads to overpaying for labour on metal you mainly want as savings.

3. Insist on BIS hallmarking and HUID verification

For jewellery, confirm the BIS mark, purity stamp (916/750/etc.), and HUID. Verify the HUID on the official BIS channels when possible. If a seller cannot explain hallmarking, walk away. Read our BIS hallmarking guide for a deeper checklist.

4. Negotiate making charges — not the gold rate

The metal rate tracks the market. Making charges and wastage are where shoppers have leverage. Ask for a line-item breakup: gold value, making %, wastage, stones, and GST. Compare making charges across two or three jewellers on the same design weight. More detail: making charges explained.

5. Understand GST and other add-ons

GST at 3% applies on the taxable value of the jewellery purchase. Some transactions may involve TCS/TDS rules depending on amount and seller type. Ask for a tax invoice. Our calculator can estimate GST on top of metal + making assumptions so you are not surprised at the counter.

6. Compare city premiums when you travel or order online

Logistics and local demand can nudge retail quotes. If you live near a bullion hub, local competition may be tighter. Use city pages to compare nearby markets before locking a large wedding order.

7. Keep documents and buy only what you understand

Save the invoice, hallmark details, and weight. For investment gold, prefer transparent products with clear buyback policies. For a broader product comparison, see our gold investment guide.

Quick buyer checklist

  • Note today's 22K/24K per 10g reference before shopping
  • Confirm BIS hallmark + HUID on jewellery
  • Demand a written breakup of metal, making, wastage, GST
  • Compare at least two jewellers for making charges
  • Verify buyback / exchange policy in writing
  • Never treat website rates as a final invoice

Related reading: how our rates are calculated, disclaimer, all guides.

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