Dhanteras 2026: Ways to invest in gold and silver, from ETFs and mutual funds to jewellery

Dhanteras is considered an auspicious time to buy gold in India. The festival, which marks the start of the five-day-long Diwali festivities, will fall on November 6 this year.

While many people still prefer to buy gold and silver jewellery on Dhanteras, it is not the only way to invest in the precious metals.

You can go in for other options depending on the money you have and your needs. If investment is the main priority, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are also a possibility to explore.

Dhanteras 2026: Ways to invest in gold and silver

Buying jewellery and other items: Purchasing physical gold items such as bars, coins or jewellery has long been a tradition on Dhanteras. These items can be passed on to your family members.

However, gold jewellery also has drawbacks. Making charges, Goods and Service Tax (GST) and other levies can make the items more expensive.

You may not recover all these dues if you decide to sell the items later. In case of bars and coins, purity could be an issue if you are not buying the items from reputed jewellers.

ETFs and mutual funds: Gold and silver ETFs move with the prices of the metals. These can be bought and sold on the stock market.

Mutual funds that invest in gold and silver ETFs are another option. These can be bought from mutual fund platforms or fund houses. Both ETFs and mutual funds allow exposure to gold and silver without storage, purity, or making charges.

Digital gold: You can buy gold in small quantities online using payment apps and other platforms. The amount you buy is linked to the physical gold held by the provider. The value of the investment is linked to the price of the precious metal.

However, the investment is not without risks. Digital gold is not regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs): EGRs are another way to purchase gold without holding the metals physically. These are exchange-traded securities linked to standardised gold.

These receipts are backed by physical gold and can be easily purchased and sold on stock exchanges. Investors can convert EGRs into physical gold, subject to the applicable delivery conditions and rules.

The investment option you choose for this Dhanteras depends on what you need and your financial priorities. If you need a physical option, jewellery or coins may be right for you. For investment purposes, options backed by physical gold can be chosen.