Gold Prices Keep Rising, Many People Choose to Delay Weddings
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The rising gold prices in recent times have affected the purchase of jewellery such as wedding and engagement rings. Many people are now reconsidering their proposal plans and seeking cheaper jewellery options.
According to data from the official website of PT Antam, logammulia.com, on Tuesday (14/4/2026) at 08:15 WIB, at the LM Graha Dipta Pulo Gadung Jakarta gold boutique, the price of one-gram gold bars today is priced at Rp2,863,000 per bar, up Rp45,000 from the previous trading session.
This price increase follows Monday’s trading, when Antam Logam Mulia gold prices plummeted Rp42,000 to Rp2,818,000 per gram.
The Antam gold buyback price has also strengthened. Today, the buyback price stands at Rp2,639,000 per gram, up Rp54,000 from the previous trading session.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions have caused gold prices to fluctuate. The price has surged more than 70% since the beginning of last year.
“We are seeing a real price shock,” said Peter Manka Jr., one of the owners of New York-based bridal jewellery store Ben Garelick, quoted from Business Insider.
The biggest impact of the gold price rise is seen in jewellery designs dominated by gold, such as plain wedding rings, thick stackable rings, and gold rings without large stones.
For example, the average price of an engagement ring at Ben Garelick with a laboratory-made diamond in the centre was around US$1,544 in 2023, rising slightly to US$1,633 the following year. The price then broke through US$2,000 to US$2,408 in 2025, a 47% year-on-year increase.
Manka also said consumer behaviour has changed due to the price rise. For instance, 25%-30% of buyers are now delaying the purchase of engagement rings in hopes that gold prices will fall.
This delay in proposals will also lead to postponed weddings. There is even a higher likelihood of choosing not to marry at all.
Manka advised customers to act when they are ready to buy. Given that gold prices are changing rapidly within days.
Meanwhile, for those still unsure or uncertain about the proposal timeline, they can opt for instalment payment options.
Additionally, there is a phenomenon of seeking alternatives to cut wedding budgets. For example, using old jewellery or that of their parents.
Manka estimated there will be a 10%-15% increase in customers bringing heirloom gold for engagements and weddings.
Founder of the Mewan Henri Noel jewellery brand, Vivian Grimes, said something similar, with many customers reusing heirloom jewellery.
“Clients realise that jewellery stored in drawers is often one of the most meaningful and valuable assets they already own,” said Grimes.
Meanwhile, president of American Hartford Gold, Max Baecker, said people are now thinking more carefully about what they buy. Gold has turned into an asset with value.
“There is growing recognition that gold is not just decorative, but a real asset with intrinsic value,” said Baecker.