A record surge in gold prices has sent the cost of traditional wedding jewellery in India sharply higher, with 22-carat gold crossing approximately ₹1.68 lakh per 10 grams.
Gold’s ascent above $5,500 an ounce globally; driven by geopolitical tensions, safe-haven demand and aggressive central bank buying, is being felt acutely in Indian markets, where 22K remains the standard for bridal gold. In cities such as Chennai, 24-carat prices have climbed to around ₹1.83 lakh per 10 grams, according to a report by The Federal.
The Federal’s analysis highlights that a traditional 50-sovereign wedding set; once roughly ₹30 lakh, is now estimated near ₹67 lakh, raising affordability concerns for middle-class families preparing for nuptials.
Industry observers say the gold price trajectory reflects global economic uncertainty and safe-haven buying, with investors leaving equities amid volatility and directing funds into bullion, which weakens the Indian rupee’s purchasing power for imported gold.
Jewellers quoted in the report advise buyers to explore lower-karat options (such as 9K or 14K) or gold-plated silver; increasingly popular alternatives that retain aesthetic appeal but come with a smaller price tag than high-karat gold.
As gold transitions from a traditional wedding staple to a high-cost luxury purchase, many Indian couples and families are recalibrating their wedding budgets and jewellery choices in response to sustained price volatility.
