Gold and silver jewellery holds a special place in Indian culture. Whether for weddings, festivals, or personal investments, people trust jewellery to retain its value over time. But how can you ensure the quality and purity of the gold or silver jewellery you buy? This is where BIS Hallmarking plays a crucial role.
In this blog, we will discuss BIS hallmarking, its importance, and how it ensures the quality of jewellery. We will also cover related certifications like BIS registration, ISI Mark, and Agmark certification to give you a comprehensive understanding.
What Is BIS Hallmarking?
BIS Hallmarking certification is a process by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that verifies the purity and fineness of gold and silver jewellery. It helps protect buyers from being cheated with low-quality or impure jewellery.
The hallmark on a piece of jewellery includes:
BIS logo - Indicates the jewellery is certified by BIS.
Purity grade - For example, "22K916" means 22-karat gold with 91.6% purity.
Jeweler's identification mark - Shows who manufactured or sold the jewellery.
Assaying center mark - Identifies the lab that tested the jewellery's purity.
Why Is BIS Hallmarking Important?
Ensures Purity: BIS hallmark guarantees the gold or silver you are buying meets the stated purity standards.
Protects Consumers: It prevents fraud by ensuring you get what you pay for.
Resale Value: Hallmarked jewellery often fetches better resale prices because of its assured quality.
Mandatory Compliance: Since June 2021, hallmarking has been mandatory for certain types of gold jewellery in India.
How to Get BIS Hallmarking for Jewellery
To get jewellery hallmarked, jewelers must complete the BIS registration process. Here’s a brief overview:
Apply Online: Jewelers must register on the BIS website and provide required documents like business registration certificates.
Inspection: BIS officials inspect the jeweler’s facilities.
Registration Approval: Once approved, the jeweler receives the license to hallmark jewellery.
Difference Between BIS Hallmarking, ISI Mark, and Agmark Certification
While BIS hallmarking focuses on jewellery, other certifications ensure quality across various industries. Let’s look at how they differ:
ISI Mark: The ISI mark certification for products like electrical appliances, cement, and packaged water. It indicates the product meets Indian quality and safety standards.
Agmark Certification: Agmark certification applies to agricultural products like spices, oils, and honey. It ensures these products meet purity and quality standards set by the government.
Each of these certifications has a specific focus but shares a common goal: ensuring quality and consumer safety.
Benefits of BIS Hallmark Registration for Jewelers
Jewelers who complete BIS hallmark registration can:
Gain customer trust by offering certified, high-quality jewellery.
Comply with mandatory government regulations, avoiding penalties.
Build their brand reputation as a reliable jeweler.
FAQs About BIS Hallmarking
1. Is BIS Hallmarking mandatory for silver jewellery?
No, it is currently optional, but many reputable jewelers still hallmark silver jewellery to assure quality.
2. Can consumers check the authenticity of hallmarked jewellery?
Yes, consumers can verify hallmarks using the BIS Care app.
3. How is BIS hallmarking different from ISI mark?
BIS hallmarking applies to gold and silver jewellery, while the ISI mark is for industrial and consumer products.
Final Thoughts
BIS Hallmarking ensures the purity and quality of gold and silver jewellery, making it a must for buyers and sellers alike. By understanding the certification process and related marks like ISI Mark and Agmark Certification, you can make informed decisions and stay assured of the quality of the products you buy.
If you’re a jeweler, obtaining BIS registration and hallmarking your jewellery is not just about compliance but also about earning customer trust and enhancing your brand reputation.
When buying jewellery, always look for the BIS hallmark. It’s your guarantee of quality, purity, and peace of mind.
