Akshaya Tritiya this year was not business as usual. Rising gold prices and global tensions made many buyers pause and think. Yet, the festive mood held strong, and jewellery shops still saw steady crowds.
The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has added uncertainty to global markets. This has pushed gold and silver prices closer to record highs, while also putting pressure on the Indian rupee.
At the time of writing, MCX gold was at Rs 1,53,370, down by Rs 1,239. MCX silver stood at Rs 2,51,771, lower by Rs 5,371.
These sharp price movements made buyers slightly cautious, especially those planning big-ticket jewellery purchases.
Despite the uncertainty, several jewellery stores reported strong footfall. But what people bought looked quite different this year. Instead of heavy ornaments, many preferred gold coins and bars. These are seen as safer options during volatile times and are easier to sell later if needed, says reports.
There was also a visible tilt towards lighter, everyday jewellery rather than traditional bulky pieces.
Sharing insights from the ground, Eshwar Surana, Managing Director, Raj Diamonds, said, “We have witnessed a strong and encouraging customer response during this Akshaya Tritiya 2026. People who wanted to buy gold are now also investing in precious diamond jewellery. We started selling a few days in advance offering gold rate advantage, as people started pre-booking orders to purchase on the auspicious day.”
He noted that the wedding season played a big role in driving demand.
“This year, we had an unusually high demand from customers exploring our premium diamond jewellery collections. There is a clear shift in buyer preference, with customers increasingly opting for diamond jewellery that aligns with both value and everyday wearability.”
Surana added that buyers were also shopping ahead of Mother’s Day and that men’s jewellery saw growing interest.
“Overall, the entire day was a grand success across our stores in Bengaluru and Mysuru. We witnessed an increase of around 20% in sales compared to last year,” he said.
Experts believe that gold and silver may continue to see ups and downs in the near term.
Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, explained, “MCX Gold opened with a mild gap down but is holding above Rs 1,52,000 level with emerging buying interest at lower levels. A sustained move above Rs 1,55,000 could revive momentum toward Rs 1,57,000–Rs 1,58,000.”
He also warned of possible downside risks.
“On the downside, a break below Rs 1,52,500 may lead to a corrective move toward Rs 1,51,000–Rs 1,50,000 and further to Rs 1,48,000. The bias remains cautious, as macro factors are offering limited support.”
On silver, he said, “MCX Silver is currently hovering above Rs 2,52,000. Resistance is placed at Rs 2,55,000–Rs 2,60,000, with further upside toward Rs 2,68,000–Rs 2,70,000. However, a break below Rs 2,48,000 may lead to a correction toward Rs 2,44,000–Rs 2,40,000.”
Looking ahead, much will depend on how global tensions unfold and how currencies move. If uncertainty continues, gold may remain attractive as a safe-haven asset, but prices could stay volatile.
For buyers, this could mean more cautious and planned purchases. Coins, bars and lightweight jewellery may continue to see demand, while big-ticket buys could stay selective.
Even so, as this Akshaya Tritiya showed, cultural traditions remain strong. No matter the price, people still find a way to bring gold home—just a little more thoughtfully than before.