Jewellers in Kerala have implemented a standardised pricing system for 18-carat gold across all jewellery outlets in the state, with the new pricing structure taking effect on October 15, 2026. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, the decision was made by various gold trade organisations under the leadership of the Kerala Jewellers Association Coordination Committee to eliminate price variations among jewellery stores. S Abdul Nazar, State General Secretary of the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (KGSMA), confirmed that the price of 18-carat gold will be determined using the same proportional criteria applied to 22-carat gold, as reported by The Hindu BusinessLine.
As of October 14, 2026, the current gold rates in India show 24K gold at ₹1,49,729.30 per 10 grams, 22K gold at ₹1,37,841.25 per 10 grams, and 18K gold at ₹1,12,861.28 per 10 grams. These rates reflect the latest market movements and demonstrate the price differential between gold purities. The standardisation aims to provide uniform pricing across Kerala's jewellery market, addressing previous inconsistencies in pricing practices that have made price comparison difficult for consumers.
The standardisation comes as 18-carat gold jewellery now accounts for an estimated 10-15 per cent of Kerala's total gold jewellery trade, indicating a significant shift in consumer preferences. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, diamond-studded jewellery and rose gold ornaments are increasingly manufactured using 18-carat gold, making it an attractive option for jewellery buyers. The market price difference between 18-carat and 22-carat gold jewellery is around ₹24,000, offering consumers a substantial cost advantage. This growing demand for 18-carat gold jewellery has prompted the need for uniform pricing practices and reliable purity-wise sales data to support market analysis and consumer transparency.
The standardised pricing methodology is expected to bring uniformity to pricing and improve transparency in the gold trade, addressing previous challenges with inconsistent pricing practices. According to The Hindu BusinessLine, the absence of uniform pricing practices and reliable purity-wise sales data has presented difficulties for market analysis, price comparison and consumer transparency. K Surendran, State President of the KGSMA, presided over the consultation process with various trade organisations that led to this decision. The standardisation aims to provide greater clarity and consistency to the growing 18-carat gold segment in Kerala's jewellery market, with the new pricing system taking effect on October 15, 2026.
