A Calm Guide to Buying Gold on Dhanteras
Hallmarks, bills and buy-back terms: what to check before you pay.
By The Lookout — Watches, Style, Travel, Weddings & Wealth Editors · 5 min read · November 2026
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Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November this year, and for many families it is the day to buy gold or silver. It is also a day when jewellers advertise heavily and shoppers feel rushed. A few simple checks will help you buy well and keep the pleasure of the day.
Decide what you are buying
Jewellery is meant to be worn, and the price includes the making charges for the design. Coins and bars are made for holding value and usually carry smaller extra charges. Know which you want, because the two behave differently when you sell: making charges are generally not recovered in full.
Check the hallmark
In India, gold jewellery is hallmarked under the Bureau of Indian Standards, and each piece carries a unique six-character code known as the HUID. Ask the jeweller to show you the hallmark, and check it against the details on the bill. Rules are updated from time to time, so confirm the current requirements with BIS.
Understand purity
Purity is measured in carats. 24 carat is the purest and is usual for coins and bars. 22 carat is common for jewellery, because pure gold is too soft to wear. 18 carat is stronger still and suits designs with stones.
Pay for the gold, and know exactly what else you are paying for.— The Lookout
Read the bill
Ask for an itemised bill that shows the weight, the purity, the rate per gram, the making charges, any stones, the taxes and the hallmark details. Compare the day’s rate at more than one jeweller, and be careful with offers that depend on you deciding quickly.
Ask about buying back
Before you pay, find out what happens if you want to sell or exchange the piece later. Ask what deductions apply and what paperwork the jeweller needs. Keep the bill, the hallmark details and any certificates safely.
Our advice
Buy what you will wear, or hold, with money you do not need soon. Set the budget before you walk in, and leave if the pressure grows. Gold is a meaningful gift. It does not need to be a stretched one.
This article is general information, not financial advice. Prices, taxes and hallmarking rules change, so please confirm current details with your jeweller and the relevant authority. Details checked November 2026.
