The Government on Tuesday, October 2, 2021, advised consumers to buy only hallmarked jewellery on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras and Diwali festivities.
As the government eased the pandemic norms, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Department of Consumer Affairs issued a statement asking consumers to “purchase only hallmarked gold and silver jewellery artefacts from BIS-registered jewellers”.
If the hallmark is not clearly visible by the naked eye, ask the jeweller for a magnifying glass, it advised.
What is hallmarked jewellery?
It is a quality certificate issued by BIS which guarantees the purity of gold in certain jewellery. This certificate will be issued to all the registered jewellers based on the purity test at the certified centres. Hallmarking is allowed on 14, 18 and 22 karats gold jewellery.
Hallmarked gold jewellery artefacts carry three marks – the BIS mark; purity in karats and fineness for gold (e.g. 22K916, 18K750, 14K585); and the six-digit alphanumeric HUID code AAAAAA.
Hallmarking is mandatory 14, 18 and 22 karats gold jewellery
Hallmarking has been made mandatory for 14, 18 and 22 karats gold jewellery/artefacts in 256 districts of the country with effect from June 23, 2021. These 256 districts are the districts that have at least one assaying and hallmarking centre.
Government urged the consumers to insist on bills for the jewellery purchased
Hallmarked jewellery can be sold only by BIS-registered jewellers.
The Government also urged the consumers to insist on bills for the jewellery purchased.
“The bill or invoice for the sale of hallmarked jewellery shall mention the separate details of each article, net weight of the precious metal, purity in carat and fineness and hallmarking fee,” the statement said.
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