Gold prices registered a notable uptick across domestic retail bullion hubs on Monday, October 19, driven by festive demand ahead of Dussehra and fluctuating international cues. The yellow metal gained upwards of ₹350 to ₹600 per 10 grams depending on purity grades and regional transportation duties, snapping a multi-session consolidation phase. With retail footfalls rising across major jewellery hubs from Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai to Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk in Delhi, buyers are tracking bullion price movements closely before finalising seasonal jewellery and coin purchases.

Pre-Dussehra Demand And Global Drivers Power The Uptick

The surge on Monday stems from a combination of strong retail buying sentiment across North and West India and subtle firmness in international spot gold contracts. With Dussehra traditionally viewed as a propitious window for high-value asset purchases, jewellers reported an uptick in advance bookings for 22-carat hallmarked ornaments and 24-carat investment coins. On domestic derivatives platforms, Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) contracts hovered around higher bands during daytime sessions, setting an upward tone for physical retail pricing across primary consumption centers.

City-Wise Gold Rates Across Major Metros On October 19

Retail prices vary marginally from state to state due to local levies, transport logistics, and bullion association benchmarks. Below is the city-wise retail pricing breakdown per gram and per 10 grams across major Indian cities:

City	24K Gold Rate (Per Gram / 10g)	22K Gold Rate (Per Gram / 10g)	18K Gold Rate (Per Gram / 10g)
Delhi	₹14,819 / ₹1,48,190	₹13,585 / ₹1,35,850	₹11,118 / ₹1,11,180
Mumbai	₹14,804 / ₹1,48,040	₹13,570 / ₹1,35,700	₹11,103 / ₹1,11,030
Kolkata	₹14,804 / ₹1,48,040	₹13,570 / ₹1,35,700	₹11,103 / ₹1,11,030
Chennai	₹14,804 / ₹1,48,040	₹13,570 / ₹1,35,700	₹11,155 / ₹1,11,550
Bengaluru	₹14,804 / ₹1,48,040	₹13,570 / ₹1,35,700	₹11,103 / ₹1,11,030
Hyderabad	₹14,804 / ₹1,48,040	₹13,570 / ₹1,35,700	₹11,103 / ₹1,11,030
Ahmedabad	₹14,809 / ₹1,48,090	₹13,575 / ₹1,35,750	₹11,108 / ₹1,11,080
Lucknow	₹14,819 / ₹1,48,190	₹13,585 / ₹1,35,850	₹11,118 / ₹1,11,180
Pune	₹14,804 / ₹1,48,040	₹13,570 / ₹1,35,700	₹11,103 / ₹1,11,030
Patna	₹14,809 / ₹1,48,090	₹13,575 / ₹1,35,750	₹11,108 / ₹1,11,080

(Note: The above rates reflect pure bullion baseline quotes. Final retail jewellery billing will include 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST) alongside jeweller-specific making and wastage charges.)

Deciding Between 24K, 22K, And 18K For Festive Purchases

Understanding purity grades is critical before visiting showrooms during the festive rush:

• 24-Karat Gold (99.9% Purity): The purest commercial standard, suited for minted bars, gold coins, and digital gold accumulation. It is too malleable for intricate jewellery designs.

• 22-Karat Gold (91.6% Purity): Known as 916 hallmarked gold, this is the standard choice for traditional bridal jewellery and heavy ornaments, mixed with copper or zinc for structural rigidity.

• 18-Karat Gold (75.0% Purity): The preferred grade for modern, stone-studded, diamond-encrusted, and daily-wear lightweight jewellery due to its superior tensile strength.

Essential Tips For Retail Gold Shoppers This Festive Season

Consumers planning festive jewellery investments are advised to check for mandatory six-digit alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) stamps on every physical piece before purchasing. Requesting a standardized computer-generated tax invoice detailing the pure gold rate, separate making charges, and applicable 3% GST guarantees legal protection and ensures transparent buyback or exchange valuations in the secondary market.