Silver Price Soars: Investor Frenzy, Not Jewelry, Fuels Record Surge; Expert Warns

• Silver prices hit record highs in 2025-2026, driven primarily by massive investor buying, not traditional jewelry or industrial demand.
• India imported approximately 7,000 tonnes of silver in 2025, reflecting significant investment interest through both paper and physical assets.
• Despite a recent dip, silver delivered bumper returns: 15% last week, 40% last month, 13% in 2026, and a staggering 148% in 2025.
• Metals Focus expert Chirag Shetty notes investment in ETFs and large physical bars by high-net-worth individuals, but warns of substitution risk as prices rise.
• Shetty emphasizes the need for strong regulation and mandatory hallmarking in India's unorganized physical silver market to protect consumers.

Why It Matters: Silver's record surge is investor-driven, raising substitution risks and highlighting the need for market regulation.