Gold Investment: Jewelry, coins, digital gold, or ETFs this Dhanteras... find out from experts where to invest your money..

Best Gold Investment Options: Ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali, gold and silver prices continue to fluctuate. Following a significant decline last month, prices for both metals saw a rebound on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on November 4. This raises the question: is it better to buy jewelry for Dhanteras, opt for gold or silver coins, or would investing in digital gold or ETFs be more advantageous? Let’s hear from the experts...

A Rebound in Gold and Silver Prices on the MCX
On November 4, at 12:02 PM, the futures price for silver (expiring December 4) on the MCX surged by ₹6,700—an increase of 3.73%—to reach ₹186,398. Meanwhile, the price of gold rose by ₹2,860, or 2.05%, to reach ₹142,312. Prior to this, in October, silver futures had fallen by approximately 20%, while gold prices had dropped by about 7%.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Gold Jewelry
If you are purchasing gold for Dhanteras—whether as a gift or for personal wear—jewelry is a good option. However, keep in mind that costs such as making charges, wastage, and GST are added to the price. Furthermore, you do not recover these additional costs when selling the jewelry later. Gold jewelry is typically crafted using 22-karat or 18-karat gold. Before making a purchase, ensure you check for the BIS hallmark, the purity of the gold, and the six-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code. You can also verify these details using the 'BIS Care' app.

Is Buying Gold or Silver Coins a Good Idea?
If you wish to avoid making charges, you might consider buying gold coins. Do note, however, that the price of a coin may include minting or other associated charges. Before purchasing, be sure to understand the purity, the premium, and the terms and conditions regarding buyback. Alternatively, one can purchase silver coins, idols, lamps, and utensils on a smaller budget. However, silver should not be considered a lower-risk investment option compared to gold. Its prices can be highly volatile, as they are also influenced by industrial demand.

Why is the demand for digital gold rising?
Gaurav Mathur, Founder and CEO of SafeGold, told NDTV that following a decline in prices, purchases of digital gold on the platform have increased by 1.5 to 2 times compared to normal days. Customers are now also purchasing gold through monthly SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans). There is even an option to take delivery of gold, starting from as little as 0.1 grams. According to Mathur, over 100,000 customers on the SafeGold platform have opted to lease out their gold.
However, it is important to note that digital gold and Gold ETFs are not the same. Currently, digital gold is not regulated by SEBI. Therefore, before making a purchase, it is essential to understand the platform's security measures, how the gold is held in custody, the redemption process, and any associated charges.

Gold ETFs or physical gold—which is the better choice?
If you wish to invest in gold without holding it in physical form, Gold ETFs are a good option; these require a demat account. Before investing, be sure to check the ETF's market price and its expense ratio. For those who prefer to hold physical gold over the long term, gold bars are an option—though one must consider factors like safety, storage, and the process of reselling.

According to Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus.com, the future price movement of gold and silver will depend on the global bullion market and the rupee-dollar exchange rate. He suggested that, given market volatility, it is better to invest in smaller, incremental amounts—aligning purchases with one's budget—rather than investing a large sum all at once. 

Decline in Gold Demand
According to the World Gold Council (WGC), global demand for gold jewellery in the July–September quarter of 2026 fell by 19% year-on-year to 340.1 tonnes, down from 420 tonnes in the previous year. Demand for gold for investment purposes also declined by 14% to 479 tonnes. Specifically, demand for gold bars and coins dropped by 19% to 267.8 tonnes, while demand for gold ETFs fell by 6% to 211.2 tonnes. Given this, be sure to consider your personal needs, budget, and the latest prices before making any purchases this Dhanteras.

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