For us Indians, gold signifies wealth, prosperity, status and all that is auspicious. That said,it is a fact that if all Indian temples and households put together their gold reserves in one place and hand it over to the government, India may already be one of the wealthiest nation in the world. The article below summarizes 5 interesting facts on gold.
Also Read: For a more elaborate discussion on gold from an economic point of view including on why the world started using gold and why is gold so precious.
[1] How Much Gold Gets Mined Per Year Worldwide? – World’s Gold Production
The table below shows world gold production from 1994 to 2014. Production in 1994 was ~ 2,300 tonnes per year and has consistently increased over the years. It currently stands at ~ 2,860 tonnes for the year 2014.
[2] Top 10 Gold Producing Countries
The ten largest gold producing countries accounted for 67.13 % of global gold output (2,860 tonnes) in 2014. China is the largest gold producing country in the world, producing 450 tonnes of gold, accounting for 15.73 % of the global gold production in 2014, followed by Australia contributing 9.44 % of the global gold output.
[3] Top 10 Countries based on Highest Gold in their Foreign Reserves
| Country | Official gold holdings (in Tonnes) | % of countries foreign
reserves in form of gold |
| United States | 8,133.50 | 73% |
| Germany | 3,384.20 | 68% |
| Italy | 2,451.80 | 67% |
| France | 2,435.40 | 66% |
| Russia | 1,208.20 | 12% |
| China | 1,054.10 | 1% |
| Switzerland | 1,040.00 | 8% |
| Japan | 765.20 | 2% |
| Netherlands | 612.50 | 55% |
| India | 557.70 | 7% |
Source: World Gold Council
[4] Top 10 Gold Consuming Countries
China and India are the two largest consumers of gold (jewelry + investment), accounting for nearly 51% of the total world demand for gold (3,216.6 tonnes) in 2014. Interestingly, India produces ONLY 0.17 % of its annual gold consumption (India’s gold production for FY 2014 was 1.56 tonnes).
[5] End Use of Gold (Data for Gold Demand in Metric Tonnes)
Source: World Gold Council
Demand for gold can broadly be classified into gold jewelry, investment (gold bar, gold coins, gold ETFs), industry (electronic, dentistry and other industrial uses) and central bank purchases. Maximum demand for gold comes from jewellery, accounting for around 55% of the overall demand for gold (based on FY 2014 figures). (Source: Gold Demand Trends – FY 2014 | World Gold Council).
China (667 tonnes) and India (662 tonnes) are the two largest markets for gold jewellery. What drives demand for jewellery in these countries is a cultural belief – buying gold is considered auspicious in these countries particularly around key festivals and big occasions like wedding etc.
Also Read: Investing in Gold – Good or bad investment Option?
Platinum vs. Gold
In 2005, gold was priced approximately 57% cheaper than platinum. Over the last decade gold prices have escalated to nearly as high as the price of platinum. But among Indian consumers, gold has remained more popular compared to platinum.
10 Years Gold Price Pattern
Jewellery Companies listed on Indian Stock Exchanges – 1 Year Stock Returns
| Company Name | Market Capitalization(as on 4th May 2015) | Price 4th May 2014 | Price 4th May 2015 | 1 Year Return |
| Rajesh Exports | 7,103.95 | 116.30 | 240.95 | 107.18% |
| PC Jeweller | 6,357.15 | 92.75 | 354.10 | 281.78% |
| Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri | 1,042.83 | 142.10 | 156.50 | 10.13% |
| Shrenuj and Company | 809.25 | 46.90 | 41.90 | (10.66%) |
| Gitanjali Gems | 423.39 | 62.45 | 42.90 | (31.31%) |
| Thangamayil | 257.24 | 140.50 | 195.00 | 38.79% |
| Renaissance Jewellery | 173.15 | 58.10 | 92.50 | 59.21% |
| Tara Jewels | 162.51 | 103.00 | 66.40 | (35.53%) |
| Alankit | 161.26 | 86.00 | 226.50 | 163.37% |
| Lypsa Gems | 139.00 | 109.21 | 66.15 | (39.43%) |
| Shree Ganesh | 113.25 | 32.05 | 15.90 | (50.39%) |
| Swarnasarita | 77.04 | 43.70 | 35.95 | (17.73%) |
| C Mahendra Exports | 57.84 | 185.50 | 9.59 | (94.83%) |
| Goldiam International | 52.39 | 23.75 | 21.65 | (8.84%) |
| Goenka Diamond | 51.99 | 4.78 | 1.60 | (66.53%) |
| Golkunda Diamonds | 13.16 | 10.50 | 18.90 | 80.00% |
| White Diamond | 13.13 | 5.00 | 10.50 | 110.00% |
| Orosil Smiths | 11.49 | 8.33 | 13.90 | 66.87% |
| Alka Diamond | 8.77 | 18.10 | 18.05 | (0.28%) |
| Classic Diamond | 7.22 | 1.96 | 1.84 | (6.12%) |
| Winsome Diamond | 5.01 | 5.44 | 0.47 | (91.36%) |
| Mini Diamonds | 3.43 | 5.09 | 9.95 | 95.48% |
| Sheetal Diamond | 2.82 | 5.04 | 5.64 | 11.90% |
| SBandT International | 1.58 | 1.29 | 0.94 | (27.13%) |
| DOT COM Global | 0.47 | 4.00 | 0.87 | (78.25%) |
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