Gold vs Silver: Rs 5L investment's value in 1-5 years?
Many people buy gold and silver jewellery, coins and bars on Dhanteras as purchasing precious metals on these occasions is considered auspicious. However, many also invest in gold and silver with a hope to get good returns. What if you had invested in silver and gold jewellery one to five years ago? Where would you have gotten higher returns- gold or silver? What would have been the value of Rs 5 lakh invested in the yellow and the white metal five years ago?
Going by the gold and silver’s historical rate data on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), we have reached the conclusion that gold has provided higher returns in the last four to five years, but the silver rate has increased faster in the last three years.
However, if we look at the value of Rs 5 lakh invested in gold and silver five years ago, it is higher in gold. The yellow metal has given an absolute return of approximately 190% compared to silver at 178%.
Gold spot price, return and value of Rs 5 lakh invested 5 years ago
Price source: MCX
Silver spot price, return and value of Rs 5 lakh invested 5 years ago
Price source: MCX
Gold was trading at Rs 1,37,034 per 10 grams on November 3, 2026, compared to Rs 47,257 per 10 grams on November 3, 2021.
Silver rate on November 3, 2026 was Rs 1,75,117 per kg compared to Rs 62,908 per kg on November 3, 2021
Returns: Silver vs Gold (1 year)
Silver has outperformed gold over the one year. Silver prices increased from Rs 1,48,717 per kg to Rs 1,75,117 per kg, delivering a return of 17.75% between November 3, 2025 and November 3, 2026
Gold prices rose from Rs 1,20,156 per 10 grams to Rs 1,37,034 per 10 grams during the same period. This translates into a return of 14.05%.
In absolute terms, silver gained Rs 26,400 per kg, while gold gained Rs 16,878 per 10 grams.
Gold vs silver: 3-year returns
Silver outperformed gold over the 3 years. The silver price rose from Rs 70,556 per kg on November 3, 2023, to Rs 1,75,117 per kg on November 3, 2026, for a total return of 148.20%.
In the same period, the gold rate increased from Rs 60,843 per 10 grams to Rs 1,37,034 per 10 grams, a gain of 125.23%.
Silver has given an absolute return of Rs 1,04,561/kg, while gold has delivered a return of Rs 76,191/10 grams.
Gold vs silver: 5-year performance
Gold has delivered a higher cumulative return than silver during this period.
The gold price on November 3, 2021, was 47,257/10g, while on November 3, 2026, it was Rs 1,37,034/10g, delivering an absolute return of 189.98%.
Silver prices, over the same period, increased from Rs 62,908 per kg to Rs 1,75,117 per kg, translating into an absolute return of 178.28%.
Investors should remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. Gold and silver prices fluctuate and are subject to global conditions, changes in interest rates, currency values, industrial demand, and geopolitical events. An investor's risk profile and financial objectives will dictate which metal an investor should buy, including the timeline of the investment.
Going by the gold and silver’s historical rate data on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), we have reached the conclusion that gold has provided higher returns in the last four to five years, but the silver rate has increased faster in the last three years.
However, if we look at the value of Rs 5 lakh invested in gold and silver five years ago, it is higher in gold. The yellow metal has given an absolute return of approximately 190% compared to silver at 178%.
Gold spot price, return and value of Rs 5 lakh invested 5 years ago
Price source: MCX
Silver spot price, return and value of Rs 5 lakh invested 5 years ago
Price source: MCX
Gold was trading at Rs 1,37,034 per 10 grams on November 3, 2026, compared to Rs 47,257 per 10 grams on November 3, 2021.
Silver rate on November 3, 2026 was Rs 1,75,117 per kg compared to Rs 62,908 per kg on November 3, 2021
Returns: Silver vs Gold (1 year)
Silver has outperformed gold over the one year. Silver prices increased from Rs 1,48,717 per kg to Rs 1,75,117 per kg, delivering a return of 17.75% between November 3, 2025 and November 3, 2026
Gold prices rose from Rs 1,20,156 per 10 grams to Rs 1,37,034 per 10 grams during the same period. This translates into a return of 14.05%.
In absolute terms, silver gained Rs 26,400 per kg, while gold gained Rs 16,878 per 10 grams.
Gold vs silver: 3-year returns
Silver outperformed gold over the 3 years. The silver price rose from Rs 70,556 per kg on November 3, 2023, to Rs 1,75,117 per kg on November 3, 2026, for a total return of 148.20%.
In the same period, the gold rate increased from Rs 60,843 per 10 grams to Rs 1,37,034 per 10 grams, a gain of 125.23%.
Silver has given an absolute return of Rs 1,04,561/kg, while gold has delivered a return of Rs 76,191/10 grams.
Gold vs silver: 5-year performance
Gold has delivered a higher cumulative return than silver during this period.
The gold price on November 3, 2021, was 47,257/10g, while on November 3, 2026, it was Rs 1,37,034/10g, delivering an absolute return of 189.98%.
Silver prices, over the same period, increased from Rs 62,908 per kg to Rs 1,75,117 per kg, translating into an absolute return of 178.28%.
Investors should remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. Gold and silver prices fluctuate and are subject to global conditions, changes in interest rates, currency values, industrial demand, and geopolitical events. An investor's risk profile and financial objectives will dictate which metal an investor should buy, including the timeline of the investment.
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