Throughout the world, particularly among women, gold has always been a sought-after investment option due to its status as a precious metal.

According to the customs laws of South Asian countries, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can bring gold worth 2,478 Riyals (50,000 INR) into the country. For female passengers, the limit is doubled to 4,955 Riyals (1,00,000 INR). However, these passengers must have lived in Saudi Arabia for more than a year. Gold jewelry exceeding these limits is subject to customs duty.

A significant number of Indian nationals reside in Saudi Arabia and prefer to purchase gold jewelry there because it is tax-free. Additionally, many Indian tourists buy gold jewelry during their visits to Saudi Arabia.

Recently, India, one of the world's largest gold markets, introduced mandatory hallmarking for gold jewelry and related items, aiming to become a leading global gold center. Ahammed, Chairman of the Malabar Group, stated that this decision by New Delhi aims to protect the public against adulteration and ensure that manufacturers and retailers maintain a legal standard of fineness and purity.

However, Ahammed clarified that this rule would not impact gold purchases made outside India, as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards organization. The gold's value will be determined by its karatage (18K, 21K, or 22K).

He further added that most jewelers possess karat analyzers, allowing customers to verify the purity of their gold and ensuring they receive full value when selling or exchanging their gold items.