Dhanteras 2026: How to Buy Gold - Jewellery, Coins or ETFs

Written by: Team Angel OneUpdated on: 4 Nov 2026, 4:14 pm IST

Discover the best gold buying options for Dhanteras 2026, including jewellery, coins, and ETFs, based on purpose and cost considerations.

As Dhanteras 2026 approaches, choosing the right gold purchase method depends on your goals, whether for personal use or financial investment. Gold jewelry, coins, and ETFs are all available options, but they differ significantly in their features and pricing.

Comparison of Gold Options

Feature / Factor	Gold Jewellery	Gold Coins & Bars	Gold ETFs
Primary Purpose	Wearing, family use, and gifting	Auspicious pooja purchase and small savings	Pure financial investment and asset allocation
Making Charges / Premiums	High (8% to 20% or more)	Lower premiums than jewellery, varies by seller	Zero making charges
GST	3% on gold value + making charges	3% on purchase value	No GST on exchange-traded units (brokerage/expense ratio apply)
Storage & Security	Requires home lockers or bank lockers (extra cost)	Requires home or bank lockers	Zero storage hassles (held digitally in a Demat account)
Resale & Liquidity	Subject to melting/purity deductions and loss of making charges	Generally easier to resell at gold value with lower loss	High liquidity; bought and sold instantly on stock exchanges
Requirements to Buy	PAN card / KYC for high-value cash or card bills	PAN card / KYC for larger purchases	Demat and trading account

Gold Jewellery for Tradition and Adornment

Gold jewellery is ideal for those valuing tradition, family heritage, and personal adornment. However, it comes with high making charges ranging from 8% to 20% or more, plus 3% GST. When selling, deductions for wastage and purity testing may apply. Ensure the jewellery is BIS Hallmarked and verify the jeweller's buyback policy.

Gold Coins and Bars for Festive Traditions

Gold coins and bars are suitable for maintaining festive traditions while incurring lower premiums than jewellery. They attract a 3% GST and minor dealer premiums. Coins are easier to liquidate than jewellery but require secure storage.

Gold ETFs for Financial Investment

Gold ETFs are optimal for those seeking pure financial returns and cost efficiency. They have zero making charges and storage costs, with units representing 24K gold held digitally. A Demat account is required, and there are small annual expense ratios and transaction fees.

Choosing the Right Option

For physical tokens of tradition and personal use, opt for jewellery or coins. For wealth accumulation, consider Gold ETFs or Gold Mutual Funds.

Conclusion

On Dhanteras 2026, gold jewellery suits those valuing tradition, even with the addition of high making charges. Gold coins offer a balance of tradition and lower premiums. Gold ETFs provide cost-efficient investment, with zero making charges and digital storage.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities or companies mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Published on: Nov 4, 2026, 10:44 AM IST

Team Angel One

Team Angel One is a group of experienced financial writers that deliver insightful articles on the stock market, IPO, economy, personal finance, commodities and related categories.

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