Gold standard of hallmarking purity is now just a click away: Here's how

Download BIS Care app, use 'verify HUID' to check authenticity

From June 1, jewellers are allowed to sell only hallmarked gold jewellery, irrespective of its caratage. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the accreditation agency which certifies hallmarked gold jewellery and other precious metals, had made this announcement on April 4.

Surendra Mehta, secretary, Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association, says, “Until now, gold hallmarking was mandatory for certain purity categories. Now BIS has included the remaining categories as well. Moreover, it has added 32 more districts where mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery has become applicable.”

In the past, hallmarking was mandatory for 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, and 24K (K stands for carat). Now, gold jewellery of other purity, too, will have to be mandatorily hallmarked.

Hallmarking, decoded

When you buy gold jewellery that is not hallmarked, you have to accept the jeweller’s word regarding the purity of gold used. Hallmarked jewellery comes with a BIS certificate of purity.

Anushkaa Arora, principal and founder, ABA Law Office, says, “Hallmarking will benefit customers as it will ensure uniformity in caratage. This initiative will also improve the industry’s credibility.”

Exempt items

Certain items have been exempted from the hallmarking requirement. These include any gold piece that weighs less than 2 grams; any piece that uses gold thread; gold bullion in any shape, such as bar, plate, sheet, foil, rod, wire, strip, tube or coin; and special categories of jewellery, such as kundan, polki, jadaau, etc.

“Jewellers with annual turnover less than Rs 40 lakh have been exempted, as has jewellery used only for exhibition purpose, watches, fountain pens, and a few special types of jewellery,” says Arora. 

Spotting a hallmarked piece

To know whether a piece of gold jewellery is hallmarked, look for the BIS logo, purity or fineness grade, and six-digit alphanumeric code, also known as the hallmark unique identification (HUID) number.

The HUID number is a unique identifier that is assigned to each gold product. It attests to the legitimacy of the hallmark symbol and ensures traceability.  

“The HUID number allows you to check the authenticity of the hallmarked jewellery,” says Mehta.

To do so, you first need to download the BIS Care application (app) from Google Play. Then you can use the ‘verify HUID’ feature in the app to check the authenticity of hallmarking.

As for the cost of hallmarking, Sanjay Jain, a Mumbai-based jeweller, says, “This cost has to be borne by the buyer.” It’s Rs 35 per article. 

Ask for a bill

Always buy gold jewellery from a reputed jeweller or a family jeweller you can trust. If you go to a local shop, check for the BIS logo outside, along with the statement, ‘Hallmarked jewellery available for sale’. The certificate of registration issued by BIS should be displayed in the jewellery shop. 

Pankaj Mathpal, managing director, Optima Money Managers, says, “Take an authentic bill for the hallmarked article. Many buyers don’t take a bill to avoid paying 3 per cent goods and services tax. This can cause difficulty in case a dispute arises in the future and you need to seek redress.”

The bill should include details of the hallmarked article.

“Gold jewellery is insured under the householder policy, but a bill is necessary to enjoy coverage,” says Mathpal.

While you don’t have any control over gold prices, experts suggest you can negotiate on the making charges. This charge is levied either as a percentage of the value of gold or is based on per gram of gold.

“The making charge is higher for more delicate pieces and intricate designs,” says Jain.

At the time of purchase, ascertain the terms and conditions of buyback and the repurchase price. This information will be required in case you want to exchange your existing piece for a better design, or want to sell it in an emergency.

BE SURE, BUY PURE

• Jewellers must make a magnifying glass of minimum 10x magnification available to show hallmark to customer

• BIS-registered jewellers available on BIS website

• List of BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centres (A&H) available here: https://bit.ly/3NDALzQ

• You can get a hallmarked item tested at any BIS-certified A&H centre by paying a fee of Rs 200

• Jewellery made from white gold alloy has to be mandatorily hallmarked

• You can sell old, non-hallmarked jewellery to a jeweller

Source: www.bis.gov.in