All that glitters is not gold! Especially things that do not have a hallmark. You might now wonder what jewellery hallmarking denotes, right?

Jewellery hallmarking is the basic testing and verification process for precious metals to make sure it conforms to purity standards. As much as this is a consumer protection strategy, it also differentiates the best jewellers from other sellers.

Looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of this concept? Keep reading to learn more about hallmarking!

Jewellery Hallmarks Guide – Everything You Need To Know 

Buying gold jewellery is one of the most auspicious practices in India. However, it would be unfair to invest your hard-earned money in a subpar piece of metal. A hallmark guarantees the quality of the product you’re investing in.

Wondering how to identify hallmark gold jewellery in India? It’s easier than you may think- simply look for a three-digit number on hidden corners of jewellery. A simple gold hallmark identification is the presence of a triangle which ensures the jewellery has undergone a proper assessment process.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the agency that gives accreditation to businessmen dealing in precious metals. As a result, it certifies and hallmarks the gold jewellery curated and sold by them.

As per the BIS hallmarking system, the fineness ranges from 958 to 375 in 23 to 9-carat gold jewellery. In addition to a triangular symbol, the hallmark consists of the year of hallmarking denoted by the English alphabet. While the letter A denotes the year 2000, the letter J denotes the year 2008. Additionally, there are different gold hallmark types. For instance, a BIS 916 hallmark indicates 91.6% purity in 22-carat gold. Similarly, 750 indicates the same purity in 18-carat gold.

Many jewellers add their stamp to the jewellery indicating the high standards of their respective businesses. If you are wondering why Indian customers are obsessed with jewellery hallmarking, the following section will solve your doubts.

What is the Benefit of Hallmark Jewellery?

India is home to nearly 1.26 crore goldsmiths that contribute 32% of tax revenue generated by GOI. Instead of having to sift through hundreds of businesses, the BIS hallmarking system makes it easier for the consumer to trust a jeweller by looking for a hallmark symbol.

Below are some benefits of buying hallmarked jewellery:

• The hallmark symbol allows you to differentiate pure precious metals from fake jewellery.
• Jewellery with a hallmark will fetch you a 100% return when you decide to sell it.
• The BIS hallmark is not only an indicator of gold purity but also the genuineness of the jeweller.
• Non-hallmarked jewellery’s value depreciates by 20-25% when you sell or exchange it.
• It is easier to purchase other precious metals like platinum, silver, and palladium if you are aware of the hallmarking numbers.

If you aspire to pursue a degree in jewellery design, knowing the hallmarking system and its benefits is a must. It is useful in establishing your business and building customer loyalty. The following section highlights the laws enforced in India to sell hallmarked jewellery.

Source: Unsplash

Is it Illegal to Sell Jewellery Without a Hallmark?

Buying, selling, and exchanging gold jewellery is a common practice in India. Thus, you are likely to face discrepancies in the quality of jewellery. To avoid these discrepancies, the government of India has strengthened the current policies with the help of BIS.

As per the new norms, all types of gold jewellery sold after 31^st March 2023 need to have a BIS hallmark or Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID). Additionally, the government offers concession fees on hallmarking services to micro or small-scale businesses to maintain high standards across the country.

The hallmarking of jewellery was already made mandatory in June 2021. As a result, hallmarked jewellery needs to have a HUID engraved at an authorised assaying and hallmarking centre.

FAQs on Hallmarking

Do you still have queries related to jewellery hallmarking? This section addresses some frequently asked questions.

What does hallmarked mean on jewellery?

When the jewellery is hallmarked, it proves the quality of the metal you are purchasing. You can rest assured that your jewellery has been assessed thoroughly at an authorised centre.

Source: Pexels

How to check jewellery hallmark?

There are three ways to check the jewellery hallmark which includes:

• Standard BIS logo: A triangular BIS logo ensures the jewellery has been assessed at an authorised centre.
• Purity of gold: This is determined by a three-digit number which indicates the purity of the gold.
• Alphanumeric code: Another important method is looking for a six-digit alphanumeric code. The customers can verify the purity and certification of the jewellery by entering this code on the BIS care app. However, this is not a mandatory sign as of now.

Who overlooks the jewellery hallmarking process in India?

BIS was established as the superior agency when hallmark started in India in April 2000. Thus, BIS is the agency that sets multiple parameters to define the standard assessment of jewellery before hallmarking.

Source: Freepik

Final Thoughts

The hallmarking and assessment of the jewellery have several layers to them. However, if you wish to build a career in jewellery design or jewellery making, you must be aware of the norms in the country. We hope this guide offered you valuable insight on what jewellery hallmarking denotes.

JD School of Design offers a bachelor’s degree in jewellery design, which includes a module on jewellery hallmarking. As a result, the budding jewellery designers and merchants in India will have the highest credibility and standards.