What is Hallmarked Gold Jewellery?

 

Hallmark Gold jewellery means gold jewellery hallmarked by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

What is Hallmark and Hallmarking?

A hallmark is an official mark on gold jewellery affixed by BIS-authorised Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) centres. It ensures the fineness and purity of gold used in the jewellery.

The hallmark is a set of symbols or logos. Earlier gold jewellery hallmarking had four logos: the BIS logo, the purity of the article, the jeweller's logo, and the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre's logo.

The Indian government revised the BIS hallmark signs on gold jewellery from July 1, 2021. Now it consists of 3 symbols - the BIS logo, the second symbol indicates purity and fineness grade and the third symbol is the HUID. The HUID number is a six-digit Alphanumeric code consisting of numbers and letters given to every piece of jewellery at the time of hallmarking. It is unique for every piece of jewellery. The HUID code is traceable and ensures the authenticity of gold jewellery.

What is purity and fineness grade?

Before understanding the purity and fineness grade we must know that the purity of gold is generally described in terms of Karats (K).

So, 100% (practically 99.95%) Pure Gold = 24 Karat (or) 24K

But gold is a soft metal, alloys (using other metals like Nickel, Zinc, and Silver) are mixed with it to form different karats of gold. In India, presently gold is hallmarked for 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24K.

 

Purity	Percent of gold	purity and fineness grade
24K	99.9	24k999
23K	95.8	23K958
22k	91.6	22K916
20K	83.3	20K833
18k	75.0	18K750
14K	58.5	14K585

 

What do I need to check before buying jewellery?

Before buying a piece of gold jewellery, you must check all three 3 symbols - the BIS logo, the second symbol indicating purity and fineness grade and the HUID number.

So, a hallmarked 22K jewellery will have a stamp of the BIS logo, 22K916 and the HUID number.

Similarly, a diamond ring made in 18K gold will have a stamp of the BIS logo, 18K750 and the HUID number.

So, whenever you buy any jewellery made in gold, make sure to check the Hallmark to avoid being cheated.

Are hallmarked gold and KDM gold the same?

Any piece of jewellery made in gold has many parts fused with the help of a solder (an alloy which permanently bonds two or more metal surfaces).

KDM is an alloy of gold and cadmium with the divisions being 92% gold and 8% cadmium. Previously Jewellers used KDM as a solder in their gold jewellery but BIS doesn't recognise this. So hallmarked jewellery is not soldered with KDM.

Hallmarked gold and KDM gold are different and shouldn’t be confused with each other.

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