Gold selling spree! Fearing that gold prices have peaked out, Indian households are rushing to sell their old gold to cash out before prices fall too much from record highs seen earlier this year. Indian households are increasingly selling old jewellery as concerns mount that gold prices may have already reached their peak. The trend comes at a time when India remains heavily dependent on imported gold. During FY26, the country imported gold worth nearly $72.4 billion, while recycled gold contributed an estimated 125-150 tonnes in 2025. According to industry estimates, recycled volumes could increase to 200-250 tonnes in 2026 if the current momentum continues.Also Read | Gold price crash explained: Why are gold rates falling and when will yellow metal recover?
Indian households sell old gold
According to the India Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA), nearly 50 tonnes of old gold were sold during the April-June quarter, which is a huge 43% increase compared with the corresponding period last year.After gold prices dropped to around Rs 1.4 lakh per 10 grams, and with expectations that they could decline further to Rs 1.2 lakh, many consumers are choosing to cash in on their holdings and lock in gains instead of exchanging old jewellery for new ornaments, according to an ET report.“Indian consumers are leveraging the high price of gold for liquid cash,” said Surendra Mehta, National Secretary of IBJA. “Though prices have fallen from a high of Rs 1.8 lakh per 10 gm in the beginning of the year to Rs 1.4 lakh, there is a fear among them that prices may further crash to Rs 1.2 lakh, which is prompting them to sell gold to encash,” he was quoted as saying in the report.The growing trend has also provided momentum to India’s organised gold recycling industry, as high prices are encouraging households to bring idle gold into the market instead of leaving it unused. Industry executives said consumers are increasingly viewing gold as a financial asset that can be converted into cash when prices are favourable, ensuring a consistent supply of recyclable gold for refiners and jewellers.Businesses engaged in purchasing old gold are also witnessing higher volumes. Muthoot Exim reported a 40% increase in gold collections across its network of more than 100 Gold Points spread across the country.“Consumers are increasingly embracing organised and transparent avenues to convert their idle gold into cash,” said Keyur Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Muthoot Exim. “This enables them to realise the value of their holdings while also strengthening the domestic gold ecosystem by bringing the precious metal back into active circulation.”Muthoot Exim procures old and unused gold directly from customers, refines it into 24-carat pure gold and supplies the processed metal to manufacturers of jewellery and gold coins. This recycling process helps reduce reliance on newly mined gold while improving the domestic availability of the precious metal.With Indian households estimated to own nearly 30,000 tonnes of gold, industry participants believe organised recycling presents a major opportunity to improve resource utilisation and reduce dependence on imports.Augmont has expanded its Gold For All network to 114 centres across several states, providing consumers with organised facilities to assess, recycle and monetise their gold holdings.“India has one of the largest household gold reserves globally, yet a significant portion remains idle,” said Ketan Kothari, Director at Augmont.
