ETF vs Digital Gold vs Jewellery: Where Should You Invest This Akshaya Tritiya? Check Comparison

Akshaya Tritiya 2026 Special: Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the most auspicious festivals in India, symbolising prosperity, good fortune, and new beginnings. The day is widely regarded as an ideal time to make fresh investments, start new ventures, and engage in charitable activities.

Buying gold jewellery remains a long-standing tradition associated with Akshaya Tritiya. However, with modern investment avenues such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and digital gold gaining popularity, investors now have multiple options to choose from. Here's a comparison of all three to help you make an informed investment decision.

Physical Gold, Silver

One of the most traditional ways to invest in gold is by purchasing jewellery and other gold articles. Beyond serving as an investment, gold jewellery carries significant emotional and cultural value, often being passed down through generations. It also doubles as an adornment, commonly worn on special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and parties.

Buying silver jewellery and other articles is also considered auspicious on occasions like Akshaya Tritiya, Dhanteras, Diwali, etc. Buying gold and jewellery items and other articles require storage and people must check the metal's purity before buying.

Gold ETF

A gold exchange trade fund (ETF) is a commodity-based investment instrument that allows investors to park their money in digital gold. Gold ETFs are Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-approved investment instruments. Gold ETFs track the prices of domestic gold rates. They perform like individual stocks and are traded similarly on stock exchanges. Gold ETF folios have surged from 7.83 lakhs in October 2020 to more than 95 lakhs in October 2025

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)- regulated options like Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) offered by mutual funds, exchange-traded commodity derivative contracts, and Electronic Gold Receipts available on stock exchanges.

Digital Gold

Digital gold is a way to invest in gold through online platforms. Several firms have launched their own digital gold investment scheme where people can start investing with Rs 10 and redeem at any time to purchase physical gold.

According to SEBI, digital gold products differ from those regulated by the board. They are neither classified as securities nor regulated as commodity derivatives, thus operating outside Sebi's jurisdiction. The regulator highlighted that these unregulated products might expose investors to substantial counterparty and operational risks.

While gold jewellery purchase is more about ownership of physical gold, gold ETF and digital gold offers higher liquidity. When it comes to investment in gold digitally, gold ETF, gold mutual funds are categorised by the SEBI, however, digital gold are yet to be classified by the market watchdog as a category.