Gold Rate Today in Guwahati

The gold rate in the Northeast's main market

Guwahati is the commercial hub of the Northeast, and its wholesalers supply jewellers across Assam and neighbouring states. Gold usually arrives via Kolkata, so the city's rate is the national landed price plus transport, insurance and the dealer margin. The difference from Kolkata is normally small. The table on this page shows the reference figure before local margins; a Guwahati board rate slightly above it is normal.

In Assamese, gold is xon (often written son). Buyers from Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and other neighbouring states often travel to Guwahati for larger purchases because of the wider range of shops.

Where to buy

Fancy Bazar is Guwahati's main wholesale and retail trading district, with a dense concentration of jewellers alongside other trades. Paltan Bazaar, Pan Bazaar and the stretch along GS Road have further showrooms, including national chains. Traditional Assamese jewellery is sold both by specialist shops in the city and by artisans from Jorhat and other Assamese towns known for the craft.

Traditional Assamese jewellery

Assam has a distinctive jewellery tradition, often worn with the mekhela chador, especially during Bihu and weddings:

• Gamkharu: a broad bangle or wrist ornament, usually with a hinged opening.
• Dugdugi: a heart- or leaf-shaped pendant.
• Jonbiri: a crescent-moon shaped pendant.
• Lokaparo: a pendant showing a pair of birds.
• Keru and thuria: traditional earrings.

Many traditional pieces are made of silver with gold plating or gold foil and red meenakari or stones, rather than solid gold. They are priced mainly on craftsmanship. Solid 22K versions exist and cost far more. Before you buy, be clear which you are getting: a gold-plated silver piece should never be billed at the gold rate, and a solid gold piece should carry a BIS hallmark and HUID.

Worked example: flat making on a small piece

Small traditional pieces are often quoted with a flat making charge per piece rather than a percentage, because the enamel and handwork take the same time regardless of gold weight. Suppose (illustrative) a solid 22K dugdugi weighs 6 g, the 22K rate is ₹12,180 per gram, and the making charge is ₹6,000 for the piece:

A flat ₹6,000 on ₹73,080 of gold works out to about 8.2%. On a heavier piece the same flat charge would be a smaller percentage, and on a lighter one a larger percentage. Convert flat charges to a percentage when comparing shops. Enamel and stones should not be counted as gold weight. Our making charges guide covers the different methods.

Bihu, weddings and Dhanteras

Rongali (Bohag) Bihu in April, which marks the Assamese New Year, is the main occasion for traditional jewellery, and many families buy or gift pieces then. Assamese weddings call for a full set of traditional ornaments for the bride. Dhanteras and Diwali, and Durga Puja, also bring higher sales in Guwahati, especially of coins and modern 22K jewellery.

Checklist for Guwahati buyers

1. Ask directly: solid gold, gold-plated silver, or gold foil? Get the answer on the bill.
2. For solid gold, check the BIS logo, purity grade and six-character HUID. See hallmark guide.
3. Net gold weight excluding enamel, stones and any filling.
4. Making charge as a percentage, per gram or per piece, with the rupee total.
5. Buy-back terms; traditional plated pieces usually have little resale value beyond their silver.