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Chennai

Chennai: Gold returns to Rs 1 lakh bracket on January 2, 2026; silver touches Rs 260 per gram

Planning to buy gold today? Check out the latest gold rates in Chennai before you head to the jewellers

Online Desk

CHENNAI: Gold prices show no signs of easing after an exceptional 2025. On the first day of the new year, gold slipped below the Rs 1 lakh mark it had climbed to in December, only to rebound the next day.

On January 2 (Friday), prices rose by Rs 1,120 per sovereign, pushing the shing metal back into the Rs 1 lakh bracket.

After the gains, 22-carat gold is now priced at Rs 1,00,640 per sovereign (8 grams) and Rs 12,580 per gram, up by Rs 140.

A day earlier, on January 1, gold was priced at Rs 99,520 per sovereign and Rs 12,440 per gram.

From January 1, when gold stood at Rs 57,200 per sovereign (Rs 7,150 per gram), it has now climbed to Rs 1,00,640 per sovereign on January 2, 2026, a whopping increase of Rs 42,440, or about 75.9%.

To put the surge in perspective, gold prices have jumped from Rs 57,440 per sovereign on January 2, 2025 to Rs 1,00,640 on January 2, 2026, marking an increase of about 75%.

On December 27, gold had touched its highest level last year: Rs 1,04,800 per sovereign and Rs 13,100 per gram.

After a record 2025, where gold marked its steepest rise since 1979, gold and silver are expected to remain firm in 2026, due to global rate-cut hopes, safe-haven demand amid continuing geopolitical tensions, and steady industrial consumption. Focus is now on the US Federal Reserve's January 27-28 meeting, where interest rates are expected to remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, silver increased by Rs 4 to sell for Rs 260 per gram (Rs 2,60,000 per kg) on January 2, 2026.

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

  • January 1, 2026: 1 Sovereign- Rs 99,520 | 1 gram- Rs 12,440

  • December 31, 2025: 1 sovereign-Rs 99,480| 1 gram- Rs 12,480

  • December 30, 2025: 1 sovereign-Rs 1,00,800 | 1 gram- Rs 12,600

  • December 29, 2025: 1 Sovereign- Rs 1,04,160 | 1 gram- Rs 13,020

  • December 27, 2025: 1 Sovereign- Rs 1,04,800 | 1 gram- Rs 13,100

Silver price over the last five days:

  • January 1, 2026: 1 gram- Rs 256

  • December 31, 2025: 1 gram- Rs 257

  • December 30, 2025: 1 gram- Rs 258

  • December 29, 2025: 1 gram- Rs 281

  • December 27, 2025: 1 gram- Rs 285

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