International News
Comex gold prices poised to reach US$3,600 by year-end amid global uncertainty: Ventura
Gold is projected to hit $3,600 by year-end 2025, says Ventura, driven by geopolitical tensions, ETF inflows, central bank buying, and India’s record digital gold investment growth.
According to Ventura, a leading full-service stock broking platform, Gold prices are expected to remain elevated in the second half of 2025. This is supported by macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical tensions, and robust investment demand. Ventura expects Comex Gold to touch US$3,600 by year-end, after hitting a record high of US$3,534.10 on August 7, 2025, surpassing the previous peak of US$3,509.90 set in April 2025.
Over the past 20 years, gold has delivered positive annual returns in 14 calendar years, reinforcing its status as a proven store of value and a hedge against inflation. Recent performance underscores its resilience, with average annual returns of 23% over the last three years compared to 11% for the Nifty 50. In volatile market conditions, gold’s negative correlation to equities has provided effective diversification, cushioning portfolio losses during sell-offs while participating in upswings.
India’s Gold ETF Market Witnesses Record Growth India’s gold ETF holdings rose 42% year-on-year to 66.68 tons as of June 30, 2025, with AUM surging 88% to Rs 64,777 crore. The number of investor accounts expanded 41% to 76.54 lakh, reflecting growing preference for digital gold investments. This shift from traditional jewelry ownership to tech-enabled investment channels is being driven by Gen Z investors, fractional ownership models, and the influence of social media and fintech innovations.
NS Ramaswamy, Head of Commodities, Ventura, said: “Gold’s strategic role in portfolios has strengthened as investors navigate an era of slower global growth, policy uncertainty, and elevated geopolitical risks. With inflationary pressures, a softening US dollar, and anticipated US Fed rate cuts, we see sustained upside potential in gold prices through the remainder of 2025. Our analysis indicates COMEX Gold could test the $3,600 mark by year-end, supported by strong ETF inflows, steady central bank buying, and robust retail participation in India’s gold investment market.”
International News
Kering Invests in China’s Gold Jewelry Surge as Laopu’s Explosive Growth Reshapes Market
Heritage-gold brands Borland and Lamchiu secure major funding amid soaring demand, fueled by Laopu’s meteoric rise and China’s booming 24-karat segment.
A wave of investor interest is sweeping through China’s gold jewelry sector as the rapid rise of Laopu Gold Co. galvanizes confidence in the country’s high-end heritage gold market. The latest beneficiary is Borland, a Hangzhou-based jeweler known for its traditional filigree craftsmanship, which this week announced more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) in new funding.
The investment round includes contributions from Kering Ventures, the startup arm of luxury group Kering SA, and Shunwei Capital, co-founded by Xiaomi chairman Lei Jun. Kering noted that its minority stake enables participation in the “rapid development of a particularly buoyant 24-karat gold jewelry segment,” reflecting growing appetite for culturally rooted premium gold pieces.
Meanwhile, Dayone Capital has made a separate investment exceeding 100 million yuan in Lamchiu, a Lanzhou-based maker of handcrafted bespoke gold jewelry. The firm will support Lamchiu in expanding distribution and reinforcing the brand’s supply-chain capabilities.
The surge of capital follows the remarkable ascent of Laopu, which has become one of China’s breakout jewelry success stories. The company reported 12.4 billion yuan in revenue in the first half of 2025 — a year-on-year increase of over 250%, building on 168% growth from the previous year. Laopu’s momentum has outpaced Western luxury houses struggling with softer China demand.
Heritage gold jewelry — deeply rooted in Chinese aesthetics and traditional techniques like filigree — is attracting a new generation of luxury consumers. Brands like Laopu, which operate in top-tier malls, increasingly compete with global maisons such as Hermès and Cartier for clientele.
Despite strong digital followings, newer brands still face distribution gaps. Borland operates only three mall stores, while Lamchiu, despite amassing more than 1 million followers on Douyin, runs just one physical outlet in Lanzhou. Both companies plan to use their fresh funding to accelerate expansion and strengthen operational infrastructure.
The latest investments signal rising confidence that China’s heritage-gold renaissance is evolving from a trend into a long-term luxury category shaping the future of the jewellery market.
-
National News33 minutes agoGJC welcomes RBI’s 25 basis point repo rate cut
-
National News1 hour agoIndia’s World Cup victory celebrated with India’s own gold through Tanishq exchange
-
ShowBuzz18 minutes agoT.GOLD: The most innovative technologies for competitive and sustainable jewellery
-
International News3 hours agoGold edges lower, Silver stages a recovery as markets await crucial U.S. data
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.