As Diwali approaches, gold jewellery stores in India are preparing to experience their busiest fortnight of the year. It's believed to be auspicious to buy gold during Diwali, and customers like to hold out till Dhanteras to indulge in their biggest purchases. Prices increasing once again, the key question for most shoppers is: do you accept 18K, 22K or 24K gold this time?
Today's festive market snapshot
The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) on October 7, 2025, priced 18K gold at ₹9,717 per gram or about ₹97,170 for 10 grams (excluding GST and making charges). The price edged a bit up from ₹9,644 yesterday.
For 22K gold, the gold used in jewellery, the prices now stand at more than ₹1.17 lakh per 10 grams. Pure gold of 24K — favourite among investors in bar and coin formats — is priced at around ₹1.19 lakh for the same quantity. Festival purchasing is gaining momentum, and jewellers expect more activity over the next couple of days.
18K gold: trendy and affordable for Diwali presents
The 18K gold, which is a mixture of 75% gold and 25% other metals, is preferred by young buyers who search for fashion items at reasonable rates. It is more durable than gold that has higher purity and thus perfect as light jewellery and everyday wear. This Diwali, 18K pieces of stylish bangles, rings and pendants are the choice of most families to gift their loved ones.
22K gold: the Diwali favourite for ornaments
For weddings, festive wear, and family jewellery, 22K gold remains the safest bet. With a purity of more than 91%, it strikes the ideal balance between value and strength. From mangalsutras to heavy sets, the 22K remains the most favourite category among Indians for Diwali purchases. For families where gold doubles as an investment and jewellery, this caratage offers the best of both worlds.
24K gold: purest for wealth building
Investors who wish to invest during Diwali prefer to go for 24K gold coins or bars. At 99.9% purity, the 24K gold is not very practical for jewellery purposes, but is considered most secure in terms of wealth creation. Banks and jewellers typically get demands for 24K gold coins on Dhanteras when people desire to celebrate the festival with "pure" money.
Why hallmarking is especially important during Diwali
The rush of the festival season can push shoppers from making hurried purchases, but experts recommend that authenticity should not be sacrificed. BIS hallmarking is mandatory and every piece of gold has to carry the BIS logo, purity mark (such as 18K750, 22K916 or 24K999) and a six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number. Buyers can check this instantly through the BIS Care app.
The festive takeaway
When Diwali is near, the choice between 18K, 22K and 24K depends on your goal:
• 18K for budget-friendly gifts and daily-wear jewellery.
• 22K for traditional festive ornamental pieces with a combination of cultural value and durability.
• 24K for pure investment in bars or coins.
For Indian households, buying gold during Diwali is not merely an investment — it's a ritual that comes with good luck and blessings. Whether a plain pendant, a heavy bridal set, or a small 24K coin for the vault, the key is to buy hallmarked gold at trusted jewellers so that your investment shines long after the diyas go into hibernation.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
