For many families in Pakistan, gold jewellery is the largest store of wealth, often received at weddings. That raises frequent questions about zakat: is jewellery that is worn every day zakatable? Which price should be used? What about making charges? This guide answers the common questions about zakat on gold jewellery, using our Zakat Calculator and Gold Calculator. Scholars differ on some points, so follow trusted guidance.
Is worn jewellery zakatable?
Opinions differ:
- The Hanafi school, followed by most people in Pakistan, holds that zakat is due on gold and silver jewellery, whether worn or not.
- Other schools hold that jewellery for permissible personal use is exempt.
Follow the view of the scholar you rely on.
Who pays: husband or wife?
Zakat is due from the owner. Jewellery gifted to a woman belongs to her, so the zakat is her obligation, though a husband or family member may pay it on her behalf with her permission.
How to value jewellery
- Find the weight of pure gold. For 22K, multiply total weight by 22/24; for 21K by 21/24.
- Multiply by today’s gold rate.
- Making charges and stones are usually not counted, because zakat is on the gold itself.
The gold calculator converts weight between tola, gram and masha and adjusts for purity.
Example
| Item | Weight | Purity | Pure gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Necklace | 2 tola | 22K | 1.83 tola |
| Bangles | 3 tola | 21K | 2.63 tola |
| Total pure gold | 4.46 tola |
At an example 24K rate of Rs 380,000 per tola, the gold is worth about Rs 1,694,000. Zakat at 2.5% on that value is about Rs 42,350, if total wealth exceeds nisab.
Selling price or buying price?
Most scholars use the current market value of the gold, which is close to the price a jeweller would pay. Check local sarafa rates.
Paying when you do not have cash
If you hold jewellery but little cash, you can pay zakat gradually during the year, or pay in gold. Planning ahead avoids stress in Ramadan.
Other assets
Combine jewellery with cash, savings and business assets when checking nisab. To convert jewellery weights between tola and grams, use the Tola to Grams converter. See how to calculate zakat for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Is zakat due on gold jewellery that is worn?
According to the Hanafi school, yes; other schools differ.
Should making charges be included?
Usually not; zakat is calculated on the value of the gold itself.
How do I find the pure gold in 22K jewellery?
Multiply the total weight by 22 ÷ 24.