Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery is set to begin from 15th June 2021.

What is Hallmark Gold?

1. The process of certifying the purity and fineness of gold is called hallmarking.
2. Bureau of Indian Standards, the National Standards Body of India, is responsible for hallmarking gold as well as silver jewellery under the BIS Act.
3. If you see the BIS hallmark on the gold jewellery/gold coin, it means it conforms to a set of standards laid by the BIS. Hallmarking gives consumers assurance regarding the purity of the gold they bought.
4. That is, if you are buying hallmarked 18K gold jewellery, it will actually mean that 18/24 parts are gold and the rest is alloy.
5. At present, only 30% of Indian Gold Jewellery is hallmarked.

Here are the four components one must look at the time of buying gold (they are mentioned in the laser engraving of a hallmark seal):

1. BIS Hallmark: Indicates that its purity is verified in one of its licensed laboratories
2. Purity in carat and fineness (corresponding to given caratage KT)

• 22K916 (91.6% Purity)
• 18K750 (75% Purity)
• 14K585 (58.5% Purity)

1. Assaying & Hallmarking Centre’s mark
2. Jeweler’s unique identification mark

Answer this PYQ from CSP 2017 in the comment box

Q.Consider the following statements:

1. 1. The Standard Mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.
   2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Why need hallmark?

• Hallmarking will enable Consumers/Jewellery buyers to make the right choice and save them from any unnecessary confusion while buying gold.
• It will enhance the credibility of gold Jewelry and Customer satisfaction through third-party assurance for the marked purity/fineness of gold, consumer protection.
• This step will also help to develop India as a leading gold market center in the World.

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