Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November, with Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday 8 November. On 6 October 2026, 24-carat gold in India was about ₹1,47,280 per 10 g and 22-carat about ₹1,43,740 per 10 g, but the price you pay at a jeweller also includes making charges and GST. This checklist covers what to check on purity, price and format, using only the figures known on 6 October.
Dhanteras 2026 dates and why buyers plan ahead
Dhanteras is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for gold buying in India. Two dates matter:
- Dhanteras: Friday 6 November 2026
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Sunday 8 November 2026
Muhurat timings for buying vary by city, so check a local panchang or ask your family priest. From 6 October to 6 November is 31 days, which is enough time to compare jewellers, ask for written quotes and decide on a format without rushing on the day itself.
Gold rate context on 6 October 2026
Indian gold prices follow the international price, which is quoted in US dollars per troy ounce, plus the rupee exchange rate and local costs. Here is where things stood on 6 October 2026:
| Measure (6 October 2026) | Approximate level |
|---|---|
| 24K gold, India | ₹1,47,280 per 10 g (₹14,728 per g) |
| 22K gold, India | ₹1,43,740 per 10 g |
| MCX December gold futures | ₹1,49,901 per 10 g |
| Retail jewellers' 22K rates | ₹13,660–13,705 per g |
| Spot gold, international | about $4,150–4,170 per ounce |
Rates differ by city, by jeweller and by the source you check, so treat these as a reference point rather than the price you will be quoted.
The international backdrop has been volatile. Gold hit record highs in January 2026, peaking at about $5,590 an ounce around 28 January. On 28 September 2026 gold futures settled at $4,135.40, down 3.52% on the day. That is roughly 26% below the January peak (4,135 ÷ 5,590 ≈ 0.74, so about 74% of the peak). Our article on why gold is falling in October 2026 explains the forces behind that move. None of this tells you where the price will be on Dhanteras, and we do not forecast it.
22K vs 24K gold: what the numbers mean
Carat measures purity:
- 24K is 99.9% pure gold. It is soft, so it is mainly used for coins and bars.
- 22K is 91.6% pure gold, with the rest made up of other metals that add strength. Most Indian jewellery is 22K.
Because 22K contains less gold, it is priced lower per gram than 24K. When you compare quotes, make sure you are comparing the same purity. A low "gold rate" on a board means little if it refers to a lower carat than the piece you are buying.
Check the BIS hallmark and HUID
BIS hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India. Each hallmarked piece carries a 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code, along with the BIS mark and the purity grade.
Before paying:
- Look for the BIS mark, the purity mark (for example 22K916) and the 6-digit HUID on the piece.
- Check that the HUID and purity are printed on your invoice.
- Ask for the gross weight and the net gold weight if the piece has stones.
- Keep the bill. It is your record of purity, weight and price if you ever resell or exchange.
Making charges and GST: a worked example
The gold rate is only part of the bill. Jewellery adds making charges (the jeweller's labour and design cost, often quoted as a percentage of gold value or a fixed amount per gram) and GST at 3% on the gold value.
Here is an example, clearly labelled as an example. Assume you buy 10 g of 22K jewellery at ₹13,700 per gram with an assumed 10% making charge:
| Line item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gold value | 10 g × ₹13,700 | ₹1,37,000 |
| Making charge (assumed 10%) | ₹1,37,000 × 10% | ₹13,700 |
| GST on gold value (3%) | ₹1,37,000 × 3% | ₹4,110 |
| Total | ₹1,37,000 + ₹13,700 + ₹4,110 | ₹1,54,810 |
That works out to about ₹15,481 per gram (₹1,54,810 ÷ 10), roughly 13% above the gold rate alone (₹1,54,810 ÷ ₹1,37,000 ≈ 1.13). Making charges vary widely by design and jeweller, and a bill may show tax on the making charge as a separate line, so ask for a fully itemised quote and compare the final total, not just the headline rate.
Jewellery vs coins vs gold ETFs and digital gold
There are several ways to buy gold. This is a factual comparison, not a recommendation.
| Format | What you hold | Points in favour | Points to weigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewellery (usually 22K) | Physical ornaments | Wearable, cultural value, hallmarked | Making charges add cost; resale usually deducts them; storage and safety |
| Coins and bars (often 24K) | Physical metal | Higher purity; usually lower making charges than jewellery | Storage and safety; check packaging and purity certification |
| Gold ETFs | Units on a stock exchange | No storage; traded through a demat account | Fund expenses; you hold units, not metal |
| Digital gold | Gold held by a provider | Small amounts possible; no home storage | Depends on the provider's structure and safeguards; read the terms |
Each format follows the same underlying gold price. The differences are in costs, purity, convenience and what exactly you own. If you are unsure which suits your situation, speak to a qualified financial adviser.
Your Dhanteras gold buying checklist
- Note the dates: Dhanteras Friday 6 November, Diwali Sunday 8 November.
- Check the benchmark 22K and 24K rates on the day from more than one source.
- Confirm the BIS mark, purity and 6-digit HUID on the piece and the invoice.
- Ask for net gold weight, making charge and GST as separate lines.
- Compare final totals across jewellers, not just rates per gram.
- Ask about the exchange and buy-back policy before you pay.
- Keep the invoice safely.
Why trading XAUUSD is different from buying jewellery
Some readers who follow gold for Dhanteras also see gold trading online. They are very different activities.
Buying jewellery or coins means owning metal, usually for years, with no leverage. XAUUSD is the symbol for gold priced in US dollars, and trading it usually means short-term positions, often with leverage, where a $1 move changes the result by $100 per standard lot. A 3.52% fall in a single day, like 28 September 2026, is something a jewellery buyer can sit through, but a leveraged trader without a stop and proper position size may not survive it.
If you are curious about the trading side, start with our beginner's guide to trading gold, learn how lot size is calculated, and understand what moves gold prices. For a sense of what a rule-based approach looks like in real time, losses included, our live results page records every Tradedge Pulse signal automatically.
FAQ
When is Dhanteras 2026?
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November, and Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November. Muhurat timings vary by city, so check a local panchang.
What was the gold rate in India on 6 October 2026?
On 6 October 2026, 24-carat gold was about ₹1,47,280 per 10 g and 22-carat about ₹1,43,740 per 10 g. Retail jewellers' 22K rates were around ₹13,660–13,705 per gram, and rates differ by city and jeweller.
How is GST charged on gold jewellery?
GST on gold jewellery is 3% on the gold value, and making charges are added on top. In our example, 10 g of 22K at ₹13,700 per gram with an assumed 10% making charge came to ₹1,54,810. Always ask for an itemised bill.
What is HUID on gold jewellery?
HUID is a 6-digit Hallmark Unique Identification code that appears with the BIS hallmark. Hallmarking with HUID is mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India, and the code should also appear on your invoice.
This article is educational and not financial advice. Trading gold and leveraged products carries a high risk of loss.
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