Gold prices have soared to a record ₹89,400 per 10 grams, reflecting both global uncertainties and India&rsquo;s enduring relationship with the precious metal. But beyond its market value, gold has long been a tool of quiet financial empowerment for Indian women&mdash;who, historically denied inheritance rights, turned to gold as a personal asset, a safety net, and a form of financial agency.
Ace global investor Jim Rogers acknowledges this deep-rooted wisdom, stating, &ldquo;Everybody should own gold and silver. That is one thing I learned in India, where women in the markets taught me a lot about gold and silver.&rdquo; While geopolitical tensions push prices higher, the lesson remains: Indian women have long understood bullion&rsquo;s role as security in uncertain times.
India remains one of the world&rsquo;s largest gold consumers, with demand surging 18% year-on-year to 248.3 tonnes in the September quarter of 2024, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). In value terms, this translated to ₹1.65 lakh crore, a staggering 52% jump from the previous year. Weddings and festivals continue to drive jewellery demand (171.6 tonnes in Q3 2024), but investment in gold remains a crucial motivator.
Even as Rogers notes that silver may currently be the better buy, India&rsquo;s love for gold persists&mdash;whether as jewellery, digital investments, or gold-backed financial products. For centuries, Indian women relied on gold as streedhan&mdash;their own wealth, gifted at marriage but meant to remain theirs. Unlike property or cash, which were often controlled by male relatives, gold was portable, easily liquidated, and universally accepted as collateral. Even today, many women turn to gold loans in times of need rather than relying on traditional banking systems.
With India importing $47 billion worth of gold in the first 11 months of 2024, it&rsquo;s clear that gold remains more than just adornment&mdash;it is an essential financial asset. However, while previous generations depended on physical gold as a safety net, modern Indian women are diversifying. Sovereign gold bonds, ETFs, and digital gold are gaining traction, allowing them to invest without the risks of physical storage. Yet, the cultural and emotional value of gold remains unmatched.
Rogers&rsquo; investment advice applies here as well: &ldquo;Do not invest unless you know what you&rsquo;re doing yourself. Don&rsquo;t listen to other people.&rdquo; Indian women, often seen as passive savers, have in fact long been strategic gold investors&mdash;understanding its worth far beyond market speculation.
Gold was never framed as a feminist act, yet it provided economic leverage in a world where women had little. Today, as inheritance laws evolve and financial literacy improves, do Indian women still need gold in the same way? Or is its role shifting from survival to legacy-building?
As India&rsquo;s gold obsession endures, is it still the ultimate financial ally for women, or is it time to redefine wealth beyond its glitter?

Is gold still the ultimate financial ally for India’s women?

Geopolitical tensions push gold higher, but it’s always been more than just metal to Indian women

Gold at ₹89,400: Is the Glitter Still Worth It?

Geopolitical tensions push gold higher, but it’s always been more than just metal to Indian women

February 19, 2025 | 20:08 IST