New Delhi, 22 April (H.S.):

India's bullion markets witnessed a subtle softening in gold prices for the third consecutive session during early trading, while silver endured a steeper plunge of up to ₹10,000 per kilogram, invigorating buyers across major trading hubs.

In Delhi's bustling sarrafa bazaars, 24-carat gold oscillated between ₹1,55,270 and ₹1,55,980 per 10 grams, with 22-carat variants trading from ₹1,42,330 to ₹1,42,980 per 10 grams. Silver, the day's stark underperformer, tumbled to ₹2,64,900 per kilogram, reflecting robust retail interest amid the correction.

City-wise, Mumbai quoted 24-carat gold at ₹1,55,270 per 10 grams and 22-carat at ₹1,42,330; Ahmedabad mirrored with ₹1,55,320 and ₹1,42,380 respectively. Chennai saw elevated levels at ₹1,55,980 for 24-carat and ₹1,42,980 for 22-carat, while Kolkata and Bengaluru aligned closer to Mumbai's benchmarks at ₹1,55,270 and ₹1,42,330.

Lucknow and Jaipur both pegged 24-carat gold at ₹1,55,420 per 10 grams, with 22-carat at ₹1,42,480; Bhopal and Patna hovered around ₹1,55,320 and ₹1,42,380. Southern centers like Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar echoed Bengaluru's rates, underscoring a uniform downward trajectory nationwide.

This synchronized dip in gold—coupled with silver's dramatic retreat—signals easing inflationary pressures from global cues, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, positioning the metals as attractive hedges for investors and jewelers alike.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar