What is assaying and hallmarking?

2.0 Hallmarking: Ltd. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Hallmark is a certifying mechanism to certify the purity of precious metals jewellery viz. gold and silver, sold in India. The testing and marking of the jewellery is done in BIS certified Assaying & Hallmarking centres across the country.

Is hallmarking a legal requirement?

It is therefore a legal requirement to hallmark all articles consisting of silver, palladium, gold or platinum (subject to certain exemptions) if they are to be described as such.

What is the purpose of hallmarking?

The purpose of a hallmark is to certify the metal purity of the item. In other words, if an object is stamped with a ‘gold’ hallmark, then you, the consumer, knowing that it is indeed real gold – and not something else that simply looks like gold.

Is silver still hallmarked?

The new Act created the British Hallmarking Council, harmonised date letters, simplified gold standards and reinforced compulsory hallmarking for gold, silver and, for the first time, platinum. The UK is one of only a few countries in the world that have compulsory statutory hallmarking.

Can BIS hallmark be fake?

Hallmark is basically a certification of purity given by assaying and hallmarking centres (AHCs) accredited by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). But can you be 100% sure of not being cheated while buying hallmarked jewellery? Not really. You need to be wary of fake hallmarking.

Is it illegal to sell jewellery without a hallmark?

Jewellers cannot sell jewellery without a hallmarking stamp. But consumers can sell or exchange gold without hallmarking at any time.

What is the minimum weight for hallmarking?

The minimum weight thresholds are: gold 1 gram. silver 7.78 grams. platinum 0.5 gram.

What are the two types of laser hallmarking?

There are two different types of lasering, one which burns in the mark itself, this is an outline laser mark, and then ‘deep relief’ laser marking which burns away the metal surrounding the mark.

Can I sell silver without a hallmark?

In the UK, hallmarking precious metals of a certain quality is a legal requirement. In fact, the Hallmarking Act 1973 makes it impossible to legally market your precious metal goods (of a certain quality) without hallmarks.

Why is 925 silver not hallmarked?

925 stamped into the metal. This stamp is to signify that it’s real sterling silver (as opposed to perhaps silver plated). However a 925 stamp is not a hallmark or a guarantee that your piece really is sterling silver. A hallmark is only legally required for silver jewellery that is over 7.78 grams in weight.

When did the British Hallmarking Council-assay office start?

During 2012 and 2013, the Assay Offices received an increasing number of consumer, trading standards and trade enquiries concerning descriptions being used in relation to articles consisting of gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

Which is required by the assaying and hallmarking centre?

The Assaying and Hallmarking centre is required to issue Assay Report giving proper identifications as marked on article. In case Hallmarked Jewellery brought by the consumer is found to be of lesser purity than that marked on jewellery, the testing charges would be refunded to the consumer by the centre who had Hallmarked the jewellery.

What are the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973?

One of the requirements of the Hallmarking Act 1973 is that all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery shall display a notice explaining the approved hallmarks. This must be the notice produced by the British Hallmarking Council, as shown below.

Which is the Indian standard for Hallmarking and assaying?

Applicable fees. Indian Standard “IS 15820:2009 General Requirements for Establishment and Operation of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres” is the basis for recognition of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.