Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. Decide your amount and what you want before the day, use the planner below to see what that money buys, and run through the six checks at the counter. The festival does not change the rules: hallmark, fair rate, 3% GST.
Dhanteras 2026 date
Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026. Puja muhurat timings differ from city to city, so check a local panchang if the exact time matters to you. Expect queues: it is one of the busiest days of the year for jewellers.
What your budget buys today
Put in your all-in budget. The planner takes out 3% GST and the making charge to show how many grams of 22K jewellery or a 24K coin it buys at today's rate. The rate on 6 November will be different; come back that morning and run it again.
| 22K jewellery, after making and GST | 3.34 g |
|---|---|
| 24K coin, after GST (before seller premium) | 3.43 g |
| Of the jewellery budget, making charge is | ₹5,201 |
At today's IBJA rate. The making charge is set to 12% only as a starting point; use your jeweller's figure.
Coin or jewellery?
A coin puts more of your money into gold. Jewellery puts some of it into design and labour, which you do not get back when you sell. If the purchase is meant to be worn, buy jewellery you will wear. If it is meant as savings, a coin or small bar keeps more value. Our gold coin price guide shows what each coin weight should cost. For a smaller budget, silver is the other traditional choice; see the silver rate today.
Six checks at the counter
- Hallmark. BIS logo, purity (such as 22K916) and a six-character HUID. Verify the HUID in the BIS Care app. Our HUID guide shows how.
- Gold rate. Compare the rate per gram on the bill with today's IBJA rate for the same purity.
- Making charge. Ask for it as a figure before billing. It is the only part you can negotiate.
- GST. 3% on gold value plus making charge, nothing more. See the GST guide.
- Weight. Net gold weight in grams, with stones weighed separately.
- Bill. A proper bill listing purity, HUID, weight, rate, making charge and GST. Keep it with the piece.
Booking schemes and advance orders
Many shops take advance bookings that lock a rate before the festival. Read the terms before you pay: which rate is locked, for what purity, what happens if the rate falls, and whether the advance is refundable. Get the booking in writing with a receipt. A booking is a promise from the shop, so buy from one you trust.
Sources
- Dhanteras 2026 date and tithi (Shubh Panchang)
- Bureau of Indian Standards: Hallmarking FAQ (bis.gov.in)
- CBEC Sectoral FAQ on Gems & Jewellery: GST at 3% of the total value (gstcouncil.gov.in)
Questions people ask
When is Dhanteras in 2026?
Friday, 6 November 2026. Puja timings depend on your city, so check a local panchang for the muhurat.
Is it better to buy a gold coin or jewellery on Dhanteras?
A coin puts more of your money into gold because its premium is usually smaller than a jewellery making charge. Jewellery is for wearing. If the purchase is a saving, a coin or bar keeps more value when you sell.
Does the gold rate go up on Dhanteras?
The IBJA benchmark follows the market, not the festival. Shops may set their own board rate higher on busy days, so compare the rate on your bill with the IBJA rate for that day.
What should I check before buying gold on Dhanteras?
The BIS hallmark and HUID, the gold rate on the bill, the making charge as a figure, GST at 3% on the total, the net weight, and a proper bill.