Pakistan’s gold market is diverse and competitive, with a range of dealers and jewellers across the country—from large wholesale bullion markets to premium jewellery boutiques. This competitive environment presents opportunities for buyers to find excellent deals, but it also attracts unethical practices, including purity misrepresentation, inflated making charges, and weight fraud. Whether you’re buying gold for investment, a wedding, or personal use, it’s crucial to follow a structured approach to ensure you don’t overpay and receive authentic gold at fair market prices. In this guide, we’ll cover every essential step for buying gold safely in Pakistan.

Check Today’s Gold Rate Before You Shop

Before visiting any gold shop, it’s essential to know the current market rate of gold. Being an informed buyer ensures that you don’t fall victim to inflated prices. Typically, buyers who don’t check the rates beforehand can end up paying 5–10% more than they should.

What to Research (15-Minute Check)
Visit a reliable gold rate source online to check the gold price in Pakistan

Once you know the rates, calculate the base value of the item you plan to purchase. Multiply the item’s weight by the relevant rate per gram. For example, for a 30-gram 22K necklace, the base gold value would be 30 × PKR 39,802 = PKR 1,194,060 (base gold value only).

Next, calculate the making charges, which are the additional costs added to the base value. These charges depend on the jewellery’s design and craftsmanship, and in Pakistan, they typically fall within the following ranges:

• Simple Machine-Made Designs: PKR 800–1,500 per tola
  
• Standard Hand-Finished Jewellery: PKR 1,500–2,500 per tola
  
• Intricate Bridal Jewellery: PKR 2,500–4,000 per tola
  
• Investment Bars (24K): PKR 200–500 per tola
  

Visit Multiple Jewellery Shops for Better Deals

The gold market in Pakistan is highly competitive, and prices for identical items can vary significantly from one jeweller to another. It’s crucial to visit at least 3–5 shops before making your final purchase decision. Price differences for making charges alone can range from PKR 1,000–2,000 per tola for the same design.

Where to Shop Based on Your Needs

What You’re Buying	Best Area to Shop	Why
Investment Bars/Biscuits (24K)	Wholesale markets like Karachi or Lahore	Lowest premiums, serious traders
Simple 22K Jewellery	Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad	High competition = better prices
Bridal Sets	Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi	Varied designs and craftsmanship
Branded Jewellery	Zamzama (Karachi), Dolmen (Karachi)	Guaranteed purity certification

While visiting these shops, ask the following questions:

• “What is your 22K rate per gram today?”
  
• “What are your making charges per tola for this design?”
  
• “Do you provide itemized bills showing weight, purity, base gold, and making charges separately?”
  
• “Can I see hallmarked pieces with 916 stamps?”
  
• “What is your buyback policy?”
  

Make sure to take notes on your phone to compare different shops’ quotes later. Avoid revealing the offers from other shops, as this will reduce your negotiation power.

Verify the Purity of the Gold

Gold purity fraud is common in Pakistan, with some jewellers misrepresenting lower purity gold as 22K. This discrepancy in purity could cost you a significant amount, so it’s essential to verify the purity of your gold before purchasing.

Understanding Hallmarks
Gold purity is indicated by hallmark stamps, which typically include the following:

• 999 or 24K: 99.9% pure gold (investment bars)
  
• 916 or 22K: 91.6% pure gold (common jewellery standard)
  
• 875 or 21K: 87.5% pure gold (traditional jewellery)
  
• 750 or 18K: 75% pure gold (fashion jewellery)
  

Hallmarks are usually found on the inner bands of rings, clasps of necklaces, or inner surfaces of bangles.

How to Verify Purity in the Shop

Method 1: Acid Testing
Legitimate jewellers in Pakistan use acid testing kits to verify the gold’s purity. If the jeweller refuses to perform this test, it’s a significant red flag.

Method 2: XRF Testing (X-ray Fluorescence)
XRF testing is the most accurate method for determining gold purity. It’s a non-destructive technique that immediately measures the exact purity without damaging the jewellery. Many premium jewellers in cities like Karachi and Lahore offer XRF testing, especially for serious buyers.

Negotiate Making Charges to Get the Best Price

Making charges are where buyers often lose money due to lack of knowledge. Prices for making charges can vary widely between different shops, even for the same design. Once you’ve determined the base gold value and typical making charge range, you can negotiate more effectively.

Here are a few strategies for negotiating:

• Show You’re Informed: “I know today’s 22K rate is PKR 39,802 per gram. For this 30-gram necklace, the base value is PKR 1,194,060. What are your making charges per tola?”
  
• Use Competitive Quotes: “Another shop in Lahore offered PKR 1,500 per tola. Can you match or beat that?”
  
• Buy in Bulk: “I’m buying a full bridal set. Can you offer a discount on making charges?”
  
• Cash Payment: “Can you offer a discount if I pay in cash instead of using a card?”
  

Ensure Accurate Weight Measurement

Weight fraud is another common practice where jewellers may use unclean scales or add water to jewellery to increase the weight. To avoid this, ensure that the jewellery is completely dry before it is weighed, and always ask to see the scale’s reading clearly. If you’re purchasing large items, request to weigh them on a second scale for confirmation.

In Pakistan, the standard weight unit for gold is the tola (11.66 grams). Make sure the price quotes match this unit of measurement.

Request Proper Documentation for Your Purchase

Proper documentation is crucial for resale, zakat calculations, and insurance purposes. Always ask for a computerized invoice with the following details:

• Shop Information: Full name, address, NTN (tax number), contact details
  
• Item Information: Jewellery type, design code, weight, karat, hallmark number
  
• Price Breakdown: Gold rate, base value, making charges, stone/setting charges, and sales tax (if applicable)
  
• Authentication: Shop seal, authorized signature, and your CNIC (required for purchases over PKR 500,000)
  

Without these details, refuse to make the purchase, as handwritten receipts or incomplete information can be a red flag.

Understand the Buyback Policy for Future Security

A buyback policy ensures you can sell the gold back to the jeweller in the future. Reputable jewellers typically offer a buyback policy at the current market rate, minus the making charges and a small business margin (usually 2–3%). Always clarify the terms of the buyback policy and have them documented in your invoice.

Conclusion

Buying gold in Pakistan can be a straightforward process if you follow a few smart strategies. By staying informed about current rates, verifying gold purity, comparing prices at different shops, and negotiating effectively, you can secure a fair deal. Whether you’re purchasing gold for investment, a wedding, or personal use, this guide will help you navigate Pakistan’s gold market with confidence and security.