Gold Rate Today in Kolkata

Grams, bhori and ana

Kolkata jewellers bill in grams, but many Bengali families still talk about gold in bhori. One bhori equals one tola, 11.6638 grams, and it is traditionally divided into 16 ana (about 0.73 g each). Grandparents' wedding gold is often described this way: "five bhori of gold" is roughly 58.3 grams. The table converts the live rate into bhori so you can compare with the way relatives quote it. See what is a tola for the history of the unit.

The rate itself follows the national landed price: international gold in rupees plus 6% customs duty, with the dealer's premium or discount. Kolkata's board rates are typically close to Mumbai's.

Bowbazar and Bengal's goldsmiths

Bowbazar, around B. B. Ganguly Street in central Kolkata, is the city's traditional jewellery market, lined with old family firms, wholesale shops and workshops. Bengal's goldsmiths (karigars) are known for fine, lightweight filigree and intricate hand work, and many work in jewellery workshops across India. Branches of national chains and established Bengali jewellers are spread across Gariahat, Shyambazar, Esplanade, Salt Lake, New Town and Behala.

Because hand-finished work is the local strength, designs here can carry substantial gold detail at relatively low weight, which matters when making charges are quoted per gram.

Bengali bridal gold

• Shakha-pola: a white conch-shell bangle and a red coral or lac bangle worn by married women, often trimmed or capped in gold.
• Loha: an iron bangle, frequently gold-plated or wrapped in gold.
• Chik: a wide choker worn close to the neck.
• Sita haar: a long layered necklace.
• Kaan pasha and jhumko: ear ornaments, from ear-covering pieces to bell-shaped drops.
• Ratanchur: a hand ornament linking rings to a bracelet.
• Tikli / mukut: forehead and head ornaments for the bride.

Worked example: a 2-bhori chik, making per gram

Suppose (illustrative) the 22K rate is ₹12,200 per gram, so one bhori is 11.6638 × ₹12,200 = ₹1,42,298.36. A chik of exactly 2 bhori weighs 23.3276 g. The jeweller charges making at ₹600 per gram:

Fine filigree may carry a much higher per-gram making charge than plain machine work, so get the rate in writing before ordering. Compare options with the jewellery price calculator.

Poila Baishakh, Akshaya Tritiya and Durga Puja

On Poila Baishakh, the Bengali new year, traders open new account books in the haal khata ritual, and jewellers invite regular customers to settle accounts and receive sweets and calendars; many families place orders on the day. Akshaya Tritiya, Dhanteras (which has grown in popularity in Bengal) and the weeks before Durga Puja are other peaks, as are the winter wedding months. Jamai Sasthi gifts to sons-in-law sometimes include gold. The international rate is unaffected by these dates, but making-charge offers change.

Kolkata buying checklist

1. Convert any bhori quote into grams and check the arithmetic on the bill.
2. Check the BIS hallmark and six-character HUID on every piece, including gold-capped shakha-pola (how hallmarks look).
3. On shakha-pola or loha with gold work, ask for the net gold weight separately from shell, lac or iron.
4. Ask how the shop values old gold for exchange and what deduction it applies.
5. Get a proper GST invoice showing purity, net weight and making charge.
6. For a custom order in Bowbazar, agree the target weight range, the per-gram making charge and the delivery date in writing, and whether the gold rate is fixed on the order day or on delivery.