It is very important to have information before you buy any commodity. then to buy something and repent later. I feel that all of should keep in mind the following before buying gold jewellery. As you are aware hallmarking of gold jewellery ensures the quality of gold used in the jewellery as to caratage, fineness and purity. Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in gold. Hallmarks are thus official marks used in many countries as a guarantee of purity or fineness of gold jewellery. To protect consumer against victimization due to irregular gold quality, develop India as a leading gold market centre in the World and to develop export competitiveness. It is a voluntary scheme being operated by BIS under the BIS Act 1986. As per this scheme the licence is granted to a jeweller for certification of purity of gold jewellery in accordance with IS 1417. BIS is operating the scheme through its network of Regional/ Branch Offices all over the country. A licensee jeweller has to go to get the jewellery hallmarked through any of the recognized Assaying and hallmarking centres(see list of assaying centres at https://bis.org.in under Hallmarking of gold).
Look for Following Markings on Gold Jewellery / Artefact
1. BIS Mark
- Purity/fineness Mark
958 Corresponds to 23 Carat
916 Corresponds to 22 Carat
875 Corresponds to 21 Carat
750 Corresponds to 18 Carat
585 Corresponds to 14 Carat
375 Corresponds to 9 Carat
- Assaying and Hallmarking Centre’s Mark The Logo of BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre where the jewellery / artefact has been assayed and hallmarked
4. Hallmarking Centre’s Logo - Jewellers Mark Logo of BIS Certified Jeweller/Jewellery Manufacturer
5 Jeweller’s Logo - Year of Marking Code letter represents the year of hallmarking of jewellery / artefact and is decided by BIS e.g. letter’A’ Donates Year 2000