Question 1

How is the live gold rate on this page calculated?

Accepted Answer

We fetch real-time gold spot prices in USD from global commodity feeds, then convert them to INR using the live USD/INR forex rate. We then apply the applicable Indian import duty and GST to arrive at the landed cost basis. The 22K rate is derived by multiplying the 24K rate by 0.916.

Question 2

What do 24K, 22K, and 18K actually mean?

Accepted Answer

Karat measures how many parts out of 24 are pure gold. 24K = 100% gold. 22K = 91.6% gold, the rest being silver or copper for durability — this is what most Indian wedding jewellery uses. 18K = 75% gold, common in modern lightweight designs.

Question 3

What does "916" stamped on gold jewellery mean?

Accepted Answer

The "916" hallmark is shorthand for 91.6% — the gold purity of 22 karat jewellery. It is part of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmarking, which India has mandated since 2021.

Question 4

Why is gold more expensive in India than the global spot price?

Accepted Answer

Three costs stack on top of the international spot price: a basic customs duty plus agriculture cess (totalling 15%), a 3% GST, and currency conversion. Combined, these add roughly 18–20% over the global benchmark.

Question 5

What makes the gold price go up or down on a given day?

Accepted Answer

Globally: US Federal Reserve interest rates, USD strength, and geopolitical tension. Locally: the INR/USD exchange rate, and festive demand like Akshaya Tritiya.

Question 6

How much is 1 tola of gold?

Accepted Answer

One tola equals exactly 11.6638 grams — a unit rooted in the British Indian system. It remains a standard quoting unit in wholesale bullion markets.

Question 7

What is a "sovereign" of gold used in South India?

Accepted Answer

A sovereign is a regional weight unit equal to 8 grams of gold, predominantly used in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh for wedding jewellery.

Question 8

Is there a tax-free limit on holding gold in India?

Accepted Answer

CBDT circulars suggest search and seizure operations generally do not seize gold held by a married woman up to 500g, an unmarried woman up to 250g, or a male up to 100g, provided the source of funds is declared.

Question 9

22K or 24K — which should I choose for investment?

Accepted Answer

For wealth storage, 24K gold coins or bars are more efficient as you avoid high making charges. 22K jewellery includes making charges that are not recovered when you sell.

Question 10

Do gold rates change from city to city in India?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though the gap is usually modest — around ₹100–₹300 per 10 grams. City-level rate differences arise from local jewellers association pricing, entry taxes, and transportation margins.

Question 11

How can I verify if a gold ornament is genuine?

Accepted Answer

Check for a 6-character HUID engraved on the piece and enter it in the BIS Care app. A genuine hallmarked piece will return verified purity details.

Question 12

What weight and purity details should I ask for on a jewellery bill?

Accepted Answer

A proper GST-compliant bill must include: gross weight, net gold weight, karat/purity (e.g., 22K/916), per-gram rate, total making charges, 3% GST, and the HUID of the hallmarked piece.

Question 13

Where is the largest gold depository in the world?

Accepted Answer

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York holds the title as the largest known depository, storing thousands of tons of gold bars deep underground.

Question 14

How is the live silver price on this page calculated?

Accepted Answer

Silver is priced in USD per troy ounce on global commodity exchanges (primarily COMEX). We fetch the live spot price, convert it to INR using the real-time USD/INR rate, then divide by 31.1035 (grams per troy ounce) to give you the per-gram price. Import duty on silver in India is currently 10% plus applicable GST at 3% for silver jewellery or 18% for silver bars/coins. All conversions refresh automatically.

Question 15

What is the current silver price per gram in India today?

Accepted Answer

Silver prices change continuously during market hours. The live rate is displayed above in this tool — refreshed in real time. As a general reference, silver in India typically trades between ₹80–₹120 per gram depending on global spot prices and the INR/USD rate. For bulk purchases (1 kg or more), your jeweller's rate may differ slightly from the MCX reference due to dealer margins and local association pricing.

Question 16

Is silver a good investment compared to gold?

Accepted Answer

Silver is significantly cheaper than gold per gram, making it accessible to smaller investors. However, silver is more volatile — its price swings are sharper both up and down. The gold-to-silver ratio (how many ounces of silver = 1 ounce of gold) has historically ranged from 40:1 to 90:1, and many commodity analysts buy silver when this ratio is high. Silver also has industrial demand (electronics, solar panels, medical devices) that adds a second demand driver beyond just investment. For long-term wealth preservation, gold is traditionally preferred. Silver suits investors who want leverage on precious metal upside.

Question 17

What is 925 sterling silver and how does it differ from pure silver?

Accepted Answer

925 sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper or other alloys. The copper is added for hardness — pure silver (999) is too soft for most jewellery. In India, 925 hallmarked silver articles are stamped with the BIS mark, similar to gold hallmarking. Fine silver (999) is used for investment coins and bars. When buying silver jewellery, check for the 925 stamp and BIS certification to ensure you are getting the stated purity.

Question 18

What is the GST rate on silver in India?

Accepted Answer

GST rates on silver in India depend on the form: silver jewellery and articles attract 3% GST (same as gold jewellery); silver bars, coins, and granules (used for investment or industrial purposes) attract 3% GST; silver imported in unwrought form attracts customs duty plus applicable CESS. Unlike some other commodities, silver GST treatment is fairly uniform for retail buyers. Always check your invoice for the correct HSN code (7106 for silver) and 3% GST rate.

Question 19

What weight units are used for silver pricing in India?

Accepted Answer

Silver in India is typically priced per kilogram (kg) in wholesale markets and per gram for retail jewellery. Unlike gold where the tola (11.66g) and sovereign (8g) are common, silver wholesale is almost always quoted per kg. For example, a ₹90,000/kg silver rate translates to ₹90/gram. Our tool displays silver per gram and per troy ounce (31.1035g) for easy comparison with international quotes.

Question 20

How do I spot fake or low-purity silver jewellery?

Accepted Answer

The most reliable check is to look for BIS hallmarking — a 925 stamp with the BIS logo and HUID on the piece. Without a hallmark, you can use the ice test (pure silver conducts heat rapidly — ice melts quickly when placed on real silver) or an acid test kit available at assaying centres. The magnet test rules out steel fakes but cannot confirm silver purity. For high-value purchases, always insist on a BIS-hallmarked piece and verify the HUID on the BIS Care app.

Question 21

How is the live platinum price on this page calculated?

Accepted Answer

Platinum is traded on the NYMEX exchange in USD per troy ounce. We fetch the live spot price, convert to INR via the real-time USD/INR forex rate, and display per gram and per troy ounce values. Platinum's import duty in India is 10.75% plus applicable cess. Retail platinum jewellery also attracts 3% GST. All values on this page are refreshed live.

Question 22

Why is platinum sometimes cheaper than gold?

Accepted Answer

Platinum is rarer than gold in the Earth's crust, but its price is determined primarily by industrial demand — about 40% of platinum goes into automotive catalytic converters. When global car production slows (as during the 2020 pandemic or the shift to electric vehicles), platinum demand drops and its price can fall below gold. In contrast, gold is driven largely by investment and jewellery demand, which are more resilient. Historically, platinum traded at a significant premium to gold; the reversal since 2011 is a structural shift tied to diesel engine catalytic converter volumes.

Question 23

Is platinum a good investment in 2025–2026?

Accepted Answer

Platinum's investment case in 2025–2026 rests on two factors: the green hydrogen economy (platinum is used in hydrogen fuel cell catalysts) and tight mine supply concentrated in South Africa and Russia. If fuel cell vehicle adoption accelerates, platinum demand from this sector could offset the decline in traditional diesel catalytic converter use. However, platinum is thinly traded compared to gold and silver, making it more volatile and less liquid for retail investors. Most financial advisors recommend limiting precious metal exposure to gold for stability, with platinum as a speculative addition for experienced investors.

Question 24

What does "950 platinum" or "PT950" mean on jewellery?

Accepted Answer

PT950 (or 950 platinum) means the piece contains 95% pure platinum, with the remaining 5% being iridium, ruthenium, or cobalt for hardness. This is the most common purity for fine platinum jewellery. You may also see PT900 (90% pure) and PT850 (85% pure). In India, BIS hallmarking for platinum uses a PT stamp followed by the purity number. PT950 is the equivalent of 22K gold in terms of being the retail quality standard — high purity without being too soft to wear.

Question 25

Is platinum jewellery better than white gold?

Accepted Answer

Platinum and white gold look similar but have important differences. Platinum (PT950) is naturally white and does not need rhodium plating — its colour is permanent. White gold is yellow gold alloyed with nickel or palladium, then rhodium-plated to appear white; the plating wears off every 1–3 years and needs to be redone. Platinum is heavier (denser) and more durable for prong settings holding diamonds. However, platinum is significantly more expensive per gram. White gold offers a similar look at a lower price point. For engagement rings or diamond settings meant to last decades, platinum is the premium practical choice.

Question 26

What is the GST rate on platinum jewellery in India?

Accepted Answer

Platinum jewellery in India attracts 3% GST — the same as gold and silver jewellery. Platinum articles such as bullion, bars, or coins (investment-grade) attract 3% GST under HSN code 7110. Making charges on platinum jewellery are typically higher than gold because platinum is harder and requires specialised crafting techniques — expect ₹600–₹2,000 per gram for making charges on platinum jewellery.

Question 27

Where can I sell platinum in India and how is it valued?

Accepted Answer

Platinum resale in India is significantly more challenging than gold. Very few retail jewellers buy back platinum, and those that do often offer 15–30% below the spot price. Dedicated bullion dealers and a few NBFC jewellers (like Malabar Gold and Tanishq) offer buyback, but liquidity is limited. Platinum coins and bars from recognised mints fare better than jewellery on resale. Unlike gold, there is no active platinum futures contract on MCX for Indian retail investors. If resale liquidity is important to you, gold remains the far superior precious metal investment in the Indian market.

Purity / Karat	1 Gram	8 Grams (Sovereign / Pavan)	10 Grams (Thulam)	11.664 Grams (Tola)	100 Grams (Bar)
24K (99.9% Pure)	₹14,422	₹1,15,376	₹1,44,220	₹1,68,161	₹14,42,200
22K (91.6% Standard)	₹13,220	₹1,05,760	₹1,32,200	₹1,54,145	₹13,22,000
18K (75.0% Settings)	₹10,817	₹86,532	₹1,08,165	₹1,26,120	₹10,81,650
14K (58.5% Budget)	₹8,413	₹67,303	₹84,128	₹98,094	₹8,41,283

Purity / Karat	1 Gram	8 Grams (Sovereign / Pavan)	10 Grams (Thulam)	11.664 Grams (Tola)	100 Grams (Bar)
24K (99.9% Pure)	₹14,422	₹1,15,376	₹1,44,220	₹1,68,161	₹14,42,200
22K (91.6% Standard)	₹13,220	₹1,05,760	₹1,32,200	₹1,54,145	₹13,22,000
18K (75.0% Settings)	₹10,817	₹86,532	₹1,08,165	₹1,26,120	₹10,81,650
14K (58.5% Budget)	₹8,413	₹67,303	₹84,128	₹98,094	₹8,41,283

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Frequently Asked Questions — Gold, Silver & Platinum

How is the live gold rate on this page calculated?

What do 24K, 22K, and 18K actually mean?

What does "916" stamped on gold jewellery mean?

Why is gold more expensive in India than the global spot price?

What makes the gold price go up or down on a given day?

How much is 1 tola of gold?

What is a "sovereign" of gold used in South India?

Is there a tax-free limit on holding gold in India?

22K or 24K — which should I choose for investment?

Do gold rates change from city to city in India?

How can I verify if a gold ornament is genuine?

What weight and purity details should I ask for on a jewellery bill?

Where is the largest gold depository in the world?

How is the live silver price on this page calculated?

What is the current silver price per gram in India today?

Is silver a good investment compared to gold?

What is 925 sterling silver and how does it differ from pure silver?

What is the GST rate on silver in India?

What weight units are used for silver pricing in India?

How do I spot fake or low-purity silver jewellery?

How is the live platinum price on this page calculated?

Why is platinum sometimes cheaper than gold?

Is platinum a good investment in 2025–2026?

What does "950 platinum" or "PT950" mean on jewellery?

Is platinum jewellery better than white gold?

What is the GST rate on platinum jewellery in India?

Where can I sell platinum in India and how is it valued?

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Local Market Terminology

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Frequently Asked Questions — Gold, Silver & Platinum

How is the live gold rate on this page calculated?

What do 24K, 22K, and 18K actually mean?

What does "916" stamped on gold jewellery mean?

Why is gold more expensive in India than the global spot price?

What makes the gold price go up or down on a given day?

How much is 1 tola of gold?

What is a "sovereign" of gold used in South India?

Is there a tax-free limit on holding gold in India?

22K or 24K — which should I choose for investment?

Do gold rates change from city to city in India?

How can I verify if a gold ornament is genuine?

What weight and purity details should I ask for on a jewellery bill?

Where is the largest gold depository in the world?

How is the live silver price on this page calculated?

What is the current silver price per gram in India today?

Is silver a good investment compared to gold?

What is 925 sterling silver and how does it differ from pure silver?

What is the GST rate on silver in India?

What weight units are used for silver pricing in India?

How do I spot fake or low-purity silver jewellery?

How is the live platinum price on this page calculated?

Why is platinum sometimes cheaper than gold?

Is platinum a good investment in 2025–2026?

What does "950 platinum" or "PT950" mean on jewellery?

Is platinum jewellery better than white gold?

What is the GST rate on platinum jewellery in India?

Where can I sell platinum in India and how is it valued?

Regional Weight Conversions

Local Market Terminology