It's easy to blame the wife but to be frank, it's not typical that any reputable gold store will hold 21k (in the states or back home). How did she know it was 21k? If there's any marking on the gold it's definitely not 100% genuine and whoever bought it knew what they were buying (or should have, it's a pretty hefty purchase). I don't think your wife and her mother are in the wrong as the gifting of gold in any South Asian culture is important in that it ensures the bride that her future in laws welcome her in the family by gifting heirlooms. If it's just a few dollars difference, then why didn't you just go for the 22? We all want to protect our own family, but they know what they gifted or were careless. Either way, it doesn't look good. Is it possible that you are over exaggerating her and her mother's "outrage"? It could be that she's just trying to explain to you her disappointment and what her expectations were from your family. It's clear that you didn't have much control over this, but I would really talk to whoever purchased the gold or call the store yourself. You may have been jipped.