Prerequisites for a Healthy Gold Industry in Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Amid recurring global economic uncertainties, gold is once again finding its momentum as a trusted anchor for the public. This instrument is not only viewed as an asset but also as the most easily understood symbol of financial security across generations. The recent phenomenon of rising public interest in gold is not merely a fleeting trend but a reflection of deeper needs for certainty, transparency, and fair access in transactions. The emergence of various new business models in the gold trading industry shows that the market can no longer sustain old approaches that tend to be closed and asymmetrical. Benjamin Master Adhisurya, a gold practitioner at Pasar Lama in Tangerang, assesses that for years, one of the main issues faced by the public when investing in gold has been the lack of price clarity and transactions that are not fully transparent. Many people sell gold without truly understanding its purity, weight, or real value. Therefore, the appearance of businesses emphasising price transparency and open processes has become a crucial turning point in building public trust. One interesting approach is how prices are no longer determined unilaterally but refer to global gold prices, which are then processed through a specific formula to remain competitive. This mechanism demonstrates that retail gold prices actually have room to be managed more efficiently without burdening consumers. When businesses opt for thinner margins and rely on high transaction volumes, there is a paradigm shift from short-term profits to business sustainability. This model also opens opportunities for the public to invest at more affordable costs. Furthermore, transparency does not stop at pricing but extends to the verification process. The practice of openly checking gold in front of customers has become a simple yet highly impactful step. Juan Sen, Founder of Jual Emas Indonesia, states that technology plays an important role in the gold industry today. According to him, the utilisation of technology, such as X-Ray Fluorescence or XRF, enables quick and accurate testing of gold content with very high precision, even without damaging the physical jewellery. His experience using technology in the gold business shows that its presence is not just about efficiency but also about democratising information.