When gold becomes grains: emotional consumption pushes up premiums, institutions warn of hidden dangers.

At a time when gold prices are high, "painful gold" is becoming popular among young consumer groups. This product, which combines anime, games, and other two-dimensional intellectual properties with gold jewelry, is seen by many as a more value-preserving consumer choice compared to ordinary grains. Since the beginning of this year, "painful gold" has not only become a hot topic on social platforms, but is also seen as a new growth point by jewelers. The popularity of "painful gold" is closely related to the consumption concepts of today's young generation. Institutions believe that "self-pleasureization" is evident in spending across generations. With this trend driving forward, smaller carats, IP-based, and socially-oriented gold jewelry are more favored. However, it is worth noting that the premium on "painful gold" products is generally on the high side, with some individual items selling far above the standard price per gram of conventional gold jewelry. Industry analysts remind that from the perspective of value preservation and appreciation, buying standard gold bars, coins, or investing through futures is a more rational choice.