Dhanteras, also called Dhantrayodashi, is on Friday, 6 November 2026, and it starts the five-day Diwali festival. On this day, people often buy gold, silver, or other valuables as it is considered auspicious. The focus is on good fortune and continued prosperity by invoking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Buying gold can satisfy many requirements including investment, participation in the festivities, gift, and to pass it on as an heirloom. If you do decide to purchase gold, first understand purity, certification, and costs to get the best value. Here is our Dhanteras 2026 gold buying guide that details some crucial points necessary for a buyer to get the best deal.
24K gold is approximately 99.9% pure and has the highest gold content per gram. Its fineness is 999 or 999.9. This is the best choice for investment, with options such as coins, bars, and some specialized items. Avoid this karatage for casual jewellery as durability is an issue.
22K gold is 91.6% pure and is typically combined with copper, silver, or zinc for strength. Its fineness is 916. As it is more durable and scratch-resistant, it is the chosen medium for jewelry, particularly in necklaces, bangles, chains, earrings, and bridal sets.
So, you can pick 22K for wearable jewelry. Choose 24K in a coin or bar format if your primary goal is holding pure gold with minimal payments. Many people buy a small 24K coin according to tradition and demands, and 22K pieces to wear daily.
Registered jewelers ensure their gold has a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark. This ensures the gold meets official purity standards set by the government.
A modern hallmark includes:
The BIS logo (triangular mark).
The fineness number (e.g., 916 for 22K or 999 for 24K).
A unique 6-character alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code.
The HUID has details mentioned in the BIS database (jeweller, assaying centre, purity, and date). Also, verify these details on the official BIS Care mobile app by entering the code. If the app does not recognise the code or shows details that do not match, do not buy it.
Check the hallmark and HUID
Make sure the fineness matches the jeweler's claims (916 for standard 22K jewelry).
Retain the bill with the HUID and purity; it helps with future exchanges or disputes.
There are exemptions for very small items (under 2g in some cases), including certain traditional styles like Kundan/Polki/Jadau, and a few other categories.
Making charges, also called labor or wastage charges, are applied in some contexts. They include the cost of designing and crafting the jewelry.
The range for 22K jewellery is 8–25% of the gold value. Plain chains or bangles stand at the lower end (often 8–14%) while intricate temple, filigree, antique, or heavily designed pieces can rise up to 20–35% or higher.
Well-known brand stores are prone to charging more than local jewellers for similar designs.
Making charges are largely non-recoverable. If the buyer later sells or exchanges the piece, they can only recover the stated metal value (sometimes with a small deduction), while the making charges paid are lost.
GST is currently 3% on the total value (gold + making charges) in most cases.
Smart ways to handle making charges:
Ask for the making charge as both a percentage and a rupee amount, calculated with the published rate that day (compare with IBJA or other public rates).
Negotiate especially on Dhanteras and festive periods when shops compete. Discounts on making charges are common.
Opt for simpler or lighter designs if investment value matters more than ornamentation.
Compare the same design across a few jewelers, and be flexible with design variation.
If it is only for investment, skip high-making jewelry entirely and buy 24K coins/bars (low premium) or paper gold (ETFs, digital gold, SGBs). Then you don't need to worry about making charges.
Decide the purpose of the purchase first
Set a firm budget before shopping.
Buy only from BIS-registered jewelers and verify the HUID on the BIS Care app.
Get the piece weighed in front of you on a digital scale.
Request a detailed bill displaying purity/fineness, net weight, the gold rate used, making charges (with a breakdown), GST, and the HUID.
Ask about the buy-back or exchange policy and any possible deductions.
Consider a small hallmarked gold or silver coin to adhere to tradition without high making charges.
Do not submit to pressure purchases or huge discounts that seem improbable.
For more information on making beneficial purchases, check out: Dhanteras 2026: What to Buy for Prosperity, Tithi and Muhurat.
Remember the spirit of Dhanteras: invite prosperity into your life with noble intentions, but back it up with an informed purchase as that will bring forth satisfaction and practical value.
