Gold Jewellery Price Estimator
Based on Current Market Rates in India
*Note: Prices at showrooms may vary slightly due to hallmarking charges (~₹45/item) or stone costs.
How to Calculate Gold Jewellery Price in India
Buying gold in India is not just a purchase; it's a tradition and a significant investment. Whether you are buying for a wedding, a festival like Dhanteras, or simply as a hedge against inflation, understanding how jewellers calculate the final price is crucial. Many buyers look at the gold rate in the newspaper and are surprised when the final bill at the showroom is significantly higher. This guide explains the exact math behind gold pricing in India.
The Gold Price Calculation Formula
The price of a piece of jewellery in India is never just the weight of gold multiplied by the rate. The final invoice includes the purity adjustment, making charges (labor/wastage), and the mandatory Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Final Price = (Price of Gold × Weight) + Making Charges + GST (3%)
1. Current Gold Rate (24K vs 22K)
Most advertised gold rates (in newspapers or online) are for 24 Karat (99.9% pure) gold per 10 grams. However, 24K gold is too soft for intricate jewellery. Most jewellery in India is made of 22 Karat (91.6% pure) gold.
- 24K: Used for coins and bars.
- 22K: Used for necklaces, bangles, rings, and chains.
- 18K: Used for diamond and gemstone jewellery (stones need harder metal to hold them).
To find the rate per gram for your jewellery, you first convert the 10g 24K price to a 1g price, then adjust for purity. For example, if the 24K rate is ₹72,000 per 10g, the 1g rate is ₹7,200. The 22K rate per gram would be approx ₹7,200 × (22/24) = ₹6,600.
2. Making Charges (Wastage)
Gold does not shape itself. "Making charges" cover the cost of the skilled labor required to design and manufacture the piece. In India, this is often quoted as a percentage of the current gold price or as a flat rate per gram.
Making charges vary widely based on the design:
- Simple Chains/Bangles: 8% to 12%
- Intricate Temple Jewellery: 15% to 25%
- Designer/Antique Pieces: 20% to 30%+
3. GST (Goods and Services Tax)
As per current Indian government regulations, a flat 3% GST is applied to the final value of the gold and the making charges combined. It is not just on the making charges; it applies to the entire value of the metal.
Example Calculation
Let's say you want to buy a 15-gram gold chain.
- Market Rate (24K): ₹72,000 per 10g.
- Purity Chosen: 22K (Standard for chains).
- Making Charges: 12%.
Step 1: Find 22K Rate per gram
(72,000 / 10) × 0.916 = ₹6,595.20 per gram.
Step 2: Base Gold Cost
15 grams × ₹6,595.20 = ₹98,928.
Step 3: Making Charges (12%)
12% of ₹98,928 = ₹11,871.36.
Step 4: Subtotal
₹98,928 + ₹11,871.36 = ₹110,799.36.
Step 5: Add GST (3%)
3% of ₹110,799.36 = ₹3,323.98.
Total Price: ₹114,123 (approx).
Hallmarking Charges
Since the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark became mandatory, jewellers may add a nominal fee for hallmarking. This is usually a flat fee (around ₹45 + GST per item) and is not dependent on the weight of the jewellery.