What Is a Hallmark on Your Jewellery and How To Identify It?

Hallmarking is a quality certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), assuring the purity of gold. Starting June 16, 2021, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has mandated the hallmarking of gold jewellery and other valuable items. The compulsion of gold hallmarking is attributed to its role in confirming the purity of this precious metal and making gold investment more trustworthy.

Whenever you buy a gold item, it’s important to verify that your gold jewellery or coin bears the hallmark of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In essence, this signifies that any gold jewellery offered by an Indian jeweller should carry the BIS hallmark to guarantee its purity.

Three Signs on BIS Hallmark Gold Jewellery

a) BIS Standard Mark

The initial hallmark on gold jewellery is the BIS emblem, a triangular symbol. Its presence on gold jewellery indicates that the gold jewellery purity has undergone scrutiny at a certified BIS testing center.

b) Purity/Fineness Grade

The second hallmark on gold jewellery indicates its purity and fineness, offering a precise measure of the gold content in that particular piece. This determination is crucial as it directly influences the jewellery’s price, making it a fundamental factor in the valuation process.

c) Six-digit alphanumeric Code

The third hallmark on hallmarked gold jewellery is a distinctive six-digit alphanumeric code that embosses or etches onto the product. This code, also known as the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, is unique to each jewellery piece. Customers can conveniently verify this alphanumeric code through the BIS Care App, which can be downloaded to their mobile devices. The ‘Verify HUID’ feature on the BIS Care App allows customers to authenticate the alphanumeric code of the jewellery .

How to Verify Hallmarks on Gold jewellery 

Now that you are acquainted with what hallmarks signify, here are the steps you can follow to authenticate them on your gold jewellery purity:

Step 1: Locate the hallmarks – Typically, hallmarks are positioned on the interior of the jewellery piece, like the clasp of a bracelet or necklace, or within the inner band of a ring.

Step 2: Utilize a magnifying glass – As hallmarks are quite small, use a magnifying glass to examine them closely.

Step 3: Identify the hallmarks – Focus on identifying the four primary hallmarks: the maker’s mark, the fineness mark, the assay office mark, and the date mark.

Step 4: Examine the fineness mark – This particular mark will provide information regarding the gold’s purity. A higher number indicates a higher level of gold purity.

Step 5: Scrutinize the other hallmarks – Pay attention to the maker’s, assay office, and date marks. These will assist you in determining the jewellery’s origin and the year it underwent testing and verification.

Step 6: Confirm the hallmarks – If you still harbor doubts about the gold’s authenticity, it’s advisable to seek the expertise of a reputable jeweller who can validate the hallmarks on your behalf.

What Are the Advantages of Purchasing Hallmark Gold Jewellery?

Gold, a valuable and costly commodity, naturally becomes susceptible to fraudulent activities and deceitful practices. Without the assurance of hallmark certification, there is a risk of paying the full price for a gold investment.

Hallmarking serves the crucial role of confirming the authenticity of a gold article and guaranteeing its purity level. To sell hallmark-certified gold, jewellers must register with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Consequently, the practice of hallmarking contributes to the organization and regulation of the gold market in the country. Simultaneously, it empowers customers to be discerning, confident, and well-informed when purchasing gold.

Conclusion

If you’re considering selling your hallmarked gold, you can place your confidence in White Gold, renowned for consistently offering the most competitive prices. With over six years of experience in the gold buying industry, we have firmly established our reputation as the most dependable gold buyers in South India. Our extensive presence spans over 60 branches in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, where we deliver professional services and precise valuations.

To ensure the accuracy of our evaluations, we remain at the forefront of the industry by employing the latest technology, such as German spectrometers, to assess the purity of your gold. Your contentment and trust are of paramount importance to us. Whether you possess unused scrap gold or a hallmarked piece you’re prepared to part with, White Gold is the destination where you can seamlessly transform your gold into cash.

For additional information, visit our website and prepare for a gold-selling experience that guarantees safety and reliability and is also remarkably uncomplicated!