Hallmark Gold: Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery Mandatory from April 1

Gold is a popular financial and emotional buy for many Indians. But did you know that the gold hallmarking standards are slated to change on April 1, 2023? Hallmarking on gold jewellery and related goods is expected to become obligatory on April 1, 2023. Every gold jewellery and artefacts sold after March 31 must bear a Hallmark Unique Identification Number. The action is intended to enforce quality standards and put the Indian jewellery sector in line with global norms.

What is Gold hallmarking?

Gold hallmarking is a means of confirming the purity of a precious metal. India uses the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark system to assess the purity of gold and silver jewellery. From the early 2000s, BIS has had a hallmarking process in place. The hallmark validates the purity of the jewellery. Furthermore, it requires producers to adhere to regulatory fineness and purity criteria.

Hallmarking signs on gold jewellery

From June 16, 2021, the government has already made the BIS hallmark required for the sale of gold jewellery and artefacts. Also, from July 1, 2021, the government has altered the BIS hallmark marks on gold jewellery. The following signs can be seen on BIS hallmarked gold jewellery:

BIS logo

Purity/Fineness grade

6-digit HUID code.

Mandatory Hallmarking

The BIS stated in June 2021 that the hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts is critical. This was done to boost the validity of the jewellery and promote customer satisfaction by giving third-party certification for the indicated purity of gold as well as consumer safety. By April 1, 2023, jewellers will be permitted to sell only 14-, 18-, and 22-carat gold jewellery and other goods certified by the BIS for purity.

If the jewellery made of 14, 18, or 22-carat gold is sold without the BIS hallmark, A fine of five times the item's worth or imprisoned for up to a year, as per the new standards.