When you buy a gold ornament, the price is more than just the gold. The single item most buyers don't fully understand is making charges— the cost of turning raw gold into a finished, wearable design. Here's exactly what goes into a gold jewellery price.
The full price breakdown
The final price of a gold piece is made up of four parts:
- Metal value= net gold weight × the day's rate for that purity (e.g. 22K). This is the biggest part.
- Making charges = the labour and craftsmanship cost of the design.
- HUID charge = a fixed ₹50 for the mandatory hallmark ID.
- GST = 3% on the total, as per government rules.
How making charges are calculated
Making charges are usually quoted one of two ways:
- Per gram — a fixed rupee amount for each gram of the piece (e.g. ₹X/gram). Common and easy to compare.
- As a percentage — a percentage of the metal value (e.g. 8–20%+). The percentage rises with how intricate or handcrafted the design is.
Simple, machine-made or lightweight pieces have lower making charges; heavy, handcrafted or highly detailed bridal work has higher making charges, because far more labour goes into it. This is normal — you're paying for the artistry, not just the gold.
Do you get making charges back when you sell?
Usually no. When you exchange or sell gold back, you're typically paid for the metal value(weight × current rate for its purity), not the making charges you originally paid. That's worth knowing: for pieces you buy mainly as a store of value, lower making charges keep you closer to pure gold value. For pieces you buy to wear and treasure, the design is the point.
See the real numbers before you buy
The best way to avoid surprises is to see the breakdown up front. Check today's gold rate in Rourkela for the metal value, then use our gold price calculator to estimate weight × rate + making + GST for any piece. If a hallmark or HUID is unclear, our guide to checking gold purity walks you through it.