On the occasion of Dhanteras and upcoming festival of Diwali, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Department of Consumer Affairs under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution requested consumers to ensure that they buy hallmarked jewellery.
It is believed that buying gold on such occasions brings prosperity and happiness to the family and is considered very auspicious. Under this light, it is important to have knowledge of how to ensure the purity of the gold being bought and getting the best value for money. Let’s see few points to keep in mind while buying.
With effect from 23 June 2021, Hallmarking has been made mandatory in 256 districts of the country for 14, 18 and 22 karats of gold jewellery/ artefacts. These 256 districts are the districts where there is atleast one assaying and hallmarking centre. The list of these 256 districts is available on BIS website www.bis.gov.in.
Hallmarked jewellery can be sold only by BIS registered jewellers. The details of BIS registered jeweller in your district can be obtained from BIS site
https://www.manakonline.in/MANAK/ApplicationHMLicenceRelatedrpt.
Consumers are requested and sensitized to:
- Buy only hallmarked gold jewellery/silver jewellery artefacts from BIS registered jewellers.
- In case the Hallmark is not clearly visible by naked eye, ask for a magnifying glass from jeweller
- Check for the following marks on hallmarked gold jewellery/artefacts
With the introduction of six digit alphanumeric code wef 1 July 2021, the hallmarked gold jewellery artefacts consists of three marks viz
BIS Mark |
Purity in carat and fineness for gold (e.g.22K916,18K750, 14K585 ) |
Six digit alphanumeric HUID code AAAAAA |
Prior to 1 July 2021 hallmarked gold Jewellery/artefacts consisted of following four marks:
 BIS Mark |
Purity in carat and fineness for gold (e.g.22K916,18K750, 14K585 )
In case of silver only fineness of 990,970,925,900,835,800 |
Assay centre’s identification mark / number | Jewellers identification mark/number |
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- Insist on bill for jewellery purchased.
- The bill or invoice of sale of hallmarked jewellery shall indicate separately description of each article, net weight of precious metal, purity in carat and fineness and hallmarking charges.
BIS also tweeted in this regard urging consumers to buy only hallmarked jewellery.