A Beginner’s Guide to Hallmarked Jewellery and Why It Matters

Hallmarked jewellery is jewellery that has been stamped with a quality mark, indicating that it has been assessed by an independent body and verified to meet specific standards of quality and purity. In India, this process is managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This certification provides buyers with confidence in the authenticity and value of their purchases, especially when it includes a gold hallmark.

What is Hallmarked Jewellery?



Hallmarked jewellery is certified by an official assay office to verify its metal purity (e.g., gold, silver). The hallmark is a stamped mark indicating the item meets legal standards for quality, such as 18k gold or 925 sterling silver. It ensures authenticity and serves as a trusted guarantee of the jewellery’s composition and value.

Understanding the Jewellery Hallmarking Process

The hallmarking process starts with the jewellery being sent to a BIS-certified assaying centre. Small samples of the jewellery are then tested for their actual gold content. After verification, the jewellery gets stamped with a hallmark, which includes several essential pieces of information:

  • BIS Logo: Indicates that the jewellery has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
  • Fineness MarkDisplays the purity of the gold (e.g., 916 for 22K gold), which is crucial for understanding its value in parts per thousand.
  • Assaying Centre's Mark: The unique identification mark of the assaying centre.
  • Year of Marking: Identifies the year of hallmarking.

Importance of BIS Hallmark

The BIS hallmark is your safeguard against purchasing low-quality or fake gold jewellery. It ensures that the jewellery meets the required standards of purity, typically 91.6% for gold. It also includes a reference number that can be used to track and verify the authenticity of the jewellery on the BIS website.

Why Gold Purity Matters?

Gold purity indicates the proportion of pure gold metal in the jewellery, expressed in karats. Understanding gold purity helps you make informed decisions based on quality and value.

What is Gold Purity?

Gold purity is usually expressed in karats (K), which is a measure of the gold content per 24 parts. For instance, 24K gold is 100% pure gold, while 18K gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals, highlighting the importance of understanding the purity of gold. Knowing these figures is critical when choosing jewellery, as higher purity means more genuine gold content but may also imply lesser durability.

24k vs 22K vs 18K Gold

The key difference between 24k,22k and 18k gold is their purity.

This table provides a clear comparison of the key attributes of 24K, 22K, and 18K gold, helping you make an informed decision when purchasing jewellery.

Feature

24K Gold

22K Gold

18K Gold

Purity

99.9% pure gold

91.6% pure gold

75% pure gold

Fineness Mark

999

916

750

Appearance

Bright yellow color is often associated with high-purity gold, making it a desirable feature in any piece of jewellery.

Slightly paler than 24K

Paler yellow, sometimes with a slight tint of pink or green due to alloys

Durability

Highly prone to scratches

Good durability, less prone to scratches compared to 24K

Very durable, suitable for intricate designs

Wear Resistance

Low wear resistance

Moderate wear resistance is a key characteristic of gold and platinum jewellery, ensuring longevity in your pieces.

High wear resistance

Cost is an important factor to consider when purchasing a piece of jewellery, especially when comparing different purities of gold.

Most expensive

Slightly cheaper than 24K, 18K gold is still a popular choice among buyers of precious metal jewellery.

More affordable compared to 24K and 22K

Use Cases

Often used for gold bars or coins

Commonly used for traditional jewellery

Preferred for modern and ornate jewellery designs, especially jewelry with settings that enhance the beauty of the precious metal.

Alloy Composition

Essentially no alloys

Up to 8.4% of alloys (e.g., copper, zinc)

Up to 25% of alloys (e.g., copper, silver)

Hypoallergenic

Generally yes

Modern formulations try to be

Modern formulations try to be

Recognizing Authentic Gold Jewellery

Knowing how to identify authentic gold jewellery will help protect your investment and ensure you get a high-quality product.

How to Verify a BIS Hallmark for Gold Metal?

To verify a BIS hallmark, look out for the following:

  • BIS Logo: Should be clear and unaltered.
  • Fineness Mark: Correctly displays the purity level.
  • Assaying Centre Mark: Check it against the official list on the BIS website.
  • Year of Marking: Ensures the hallmark is recent and has not been tampered with.

Key Signs of Authentic Gold Jewellery

  1. Weight: Real gold is heavy compared to its size.
  2. Sound: Striking real gold should produce a distinct, deep bell-like sound. Keep in mind that fraudsters can sometimes imitate this sound.
  3. Tarnish: Real gold doesn't tarnish easily and maintains its lustre for a long time.
  4. Uniformity: Genuine gold will have uniform colour throughout. Discolouration or uneven patches may indicate a fake piece.

How to Spot A Gold Jewellery - Real or Fake?

To know if your gold jewellery is real or fake do the following:

  1. Magnet Test: Genuine gold will not stick to a magnet.
  2. Nitric Acid Test: Professional jewellers perform this test, never attempt it yourself as it involves chemicals. They use nitric acid to spot genuine gold.
  3. Suspicious Sellers: Be wary of jewellers who aren’t transparent about the hallmarking process or sell “pure gold” without certification.
  4. Fake Hallmarks: Check hallmarks for printed or inconsistent stamps which could indicate a counterfeit.

The Benefits of Hallmarked Jewellery Making And Buying

Hallmarked jewellery benefits both buyers and sellers by ensuring verified quality and purity, providing a trusted mark of authenticity that enhances credibility and drives customer loyalty while offering peace of mind and investment security for buyers.

Here are the benefits of buying hallmarked jewellery:

Investment Value

Hallmarked jewellery maintains its value or increases over time due to its certified purity. It makes for a solid investment, allowing you to sell or exchange it at a later stage with confidence.

Quality Assurance

When you buy hallmarked jewellery, you are assured of both quality and authenticity. BIS certification means the gold content has been tested and meets the standards, thus protecting your interest as a consumer.

Legal Assurance

Hallmarked gold is recognised by law as genuine. Sellers are legally bound to provide BIS-certified jewellery, further ensuring that all regulatory standards are met.

Purchasing Hallmarked Jewellery

Choosing where and how to buy your jewellery is a crucial decision that directly impacts the quality, authenticity, and value of your purchase. Understanding the hallmarking system and selecting the right jeweller ensures you receive genuine, certified pieces that will stand the test of time.

Where to Buy Hallmarked Jewellery?

When purchasing hallmarked jewellery, prioritize established jewellers who hold BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification. These certified retailers are legally obligated to provide BIS hallmarked jewellery, which serves as your guarantee of purity and quality.

Look for jewellers with a proven track record and substantial industry experience. At P.C. Chandra Jewellers, we bring over eight decades of heritage since our establishment in 1939, with deep expertise in craftsmanship and quality assurance. Our network spans 70 showrooms across 10 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune, reflecting our commitment to accessibility and trust.

Before making your purchase, take time to research the jeweller's reputation through customer reviews and verify their credentials. As an established jeweller, we offer comprehensive quality checks, proper documentation, and clear policies regarding authenticity and after-sales service. Our commitment lies in what we call "timeless craftsmanship, contemporary designs and exceptional product quality" - principles that ensure every piece meets the highest standards.

We believe that reputable jewellers should readily provide hallmark certificates and detailed information about the purity and specifications of their jewellery. At P.C. Chandra Jewellers, we ensure transparency in every transaction, making your purchase both informed and secure. Our philosophy of crafting "A jewel of jewels" extends to every aspect of our customer service, ensuring you receive not just authentic hallmarked jewellery, but an experience built on generations of trust.

Tips for Buying Hallmarked Jewellery Online

  1. Check for Certification: Ensure the online platform provides clear and verifiable hallmarks for their products.
  2. Review Platforms: Opt for platforms that have a good reputation and positive reviews from verified buyers.
  3. Compare Prices: Don’t be lured by prices significantly lower than the norm; low prices might indicate compromised quality.
  4. Direct Communication: If you are dealing with direct sellers, always insist on clear images of the hallmark and details about the purity and weight.
  5. Returns Policy: Verify that the platform has a robust return and refund policy, safeguarding you from misleading products.

Conclusion

Hallmarked jewellery provides peace of mind and security in your purchases. Understanding the hallmarks, gold purity, and verification processes can help you make informed decisions that protect your investment and guarantee that you get genuine, high-quality jewellery.

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