On August 21, 2026, both gold and silver experienced a modest price increase, with the yellow metal nearing ₹1.60 lakh per 10 grams and silver surpassing ₹2.55 lakh per kilogram in the retail market. This uptick comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of international bullion markets and key economic indicators.
MCX Futures Show Gains
On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures demonstrated a gain of 0.36%, reaching ₹1.60 lakh per 10 grams. Silver futures also saw an upward trend, rising by approximately 0.77% to trade at ₹2.45 lakh per kilogram at the time of reporting.
Factors Influencing Precious Metal Rates
Market participants are closely monitoring several global factors that continue to shape precious metal prices. These include:
- Global economic data releases
- Expectations regarding US interest rates
- Fluctuations in currency movements
These elements collectively influence investor sentiment and the demand for safe-haven assets like gold and silver.
Understanding Gold Purity: 24-Karat vs. 22-Karat
In the retail market, gold is predominantly available in two purities: 24-karat and 22-karat.
- 24-Karat Gold: Considered the purest form of gold, containing 99.9% pure gold. It is generally softer and primarily used for bullion, coins, and bars.
- 22-Karat Gold: This purity contains 91.67% gold, with the remaining percentage comprising alloyed metals like copper and silver. These alloys enhance the metal's strength and durability, making 22-karat gold a popular choice for crafting intricate jewelry.
Retail Gold Prices in Major Metros (August 21)
Retail prices for gold varied slightly across major Indian cities:
City24K Gold (₹ per 10gm)22K Gold (₹ per 10gm)Delhi₹1,59,430₹1,46,160Mumbai₹1,59,280₹1,46,010Bengaluru₹1,59,280₹1,46,010Kolkata₹1,59,280₹1,46,010Hyderabad₹1,59,280₹1,46,010Chennai₹1,59,280₹1,46,010Retail Silver Prices in Major Metros (August 21)
Silver prices also showed consistency across several metropolitan areas:
CitySilver (₹ per 100gm)Silver (₹ per kg)Delhi₹25,510₹2,55,100Mumbai₹25,510₹2,55,100Bengaluru₹25,510₹2,55,100Kolkata₹25,510₹2,55,100Hyderabad₹26,010₹2,60,100Chennai₹26,010₹2,60,100Jeweller Rates as of August 18, 2026
Leading jewellery retailers reported largely stable gold prices on August 18, 2026. Joyalukkas and Malabar Gold & Diamonds both quoted 22K gold at ₹14,600 per gram across most Indian states. Tanishq's 22K rate was slightly higher at ₹14,645 per gram. For 24-karat gold, Malabar's rate was ₹15,928 per gram, while Tanishq's stood at ₹15,943 per gram. These minor differences often reflect brand-specific pricing strategies and regional market conditions.