MUMBAI – The bullion market in India’s financial capital demonstrated renewed strength on Friday, as gold prices staged a notable recovery following a brief period of consolidation. Driven by a combination of safe-haven demand and a shifting global macroeconomic landscape, retail rates for the precious metal across all major purities saw an upward trajectory, marking a firm end to the final week of February

In the pure gold segment, 24-carat gold climbed to ₹16,157 per gram, a steady rise of ₹55 from Thursday’s close of ₹16,102. For retail investors and high-volume buyers, the 10-gram benchmark settled at ₹1,61,570, reflecting a substantial intraday gain of ₹550. This rebound reinforces the metal's current standing above the significant ₹1.6 lakh per 10-gram threshold, a level that has become the new baseline for market sentiment in early 2026

The jewelry-grade 22-carat gold mirrored this bullish momentum, rising by ₹50 per gram to reach ₹14,810. Consequently, the price for the standard 10-gram weight rose to ₹1,48,100, up by ₹500 from the previous session. Even the 18-carat category, favored for contemporary and diamond-studded ornaments, saw a gain of ₹41 per gram, bringing the rate to ₹12,118

Market analysts point to a confluence of factors for this price appreciation. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed uncertainty regarding international trade tariffs have prompted investors to seek refuge in tangible assets. Domestically, while high prices have slightly dampened the volume of jewelry sales, investment demand for gold bars and coins remains exceptionally high, as many view the current price action as a necessary hedge against inflationary pressures and currency fluctuations

As Mumbai continues to lead the national trend in bullion valuation, today's price movement suggests that the "yellow metal" remains on a definitive upward path. While local jewelers observe a shift in consumer behavior toward investment-grade products, the overall market remains buoyant, supported by the deep-rooted cultural and financial significance of gold in the Indian economy