Gold Purity Matters: Understanding Karats and Colours

For those looking to invest in gold, it's essential to understand its purity and colours. Gold is measured in karats, with 24K being the purest form but too soft for jewellery. The standard for traditional Indian jewellery is 22K, which is alloyed with other metals for durability. Other options include 18K and 14K, which contain less gold but offer greater strength.

The daily gold rate online is just a benchmark, as the final showroom price will always be higher due to making charges and GST. In studded jewellery, the weight of embedded stones is excluded when calculating the net gold weight for pricing. To ensure authenticity, look for the BIS logo, purity grade, and 6-digit alphanumeric HUID code.

For those who want to invest without physical storage or making charges, consider financial gold alternatives such as digital gold, Gold ETFs & Mutual Funds, and Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs). These options offer a fixed annual interest rate on top of standard gold price appreciation. However, it's essential to note that all gold buys attract a flat 3% GST.