The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has put forth new regulations regarding the sale of hallmarked gold jewelry in India. From 31st March 2023, all hallmarked gold jewelry or gold artefacts for sale must include a Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID). This crucial piece of information consists of six alphanumeric characters and is designed to increase transparency in jewelry sales. Notably, older hallmarked jewelry bearing four marks without an HUID can still be sold until the deadline.
Understanding Hallmarking
Simply put, hallmarking refers to the precise identification and official documentation of a precious metal’s content in an item. Established by the BIS in 2000, the hallmarking scheme initially included only two precious metals – gold and silver. As of June 23rd, 2021, the scheme had been successfully implemented across 288 districts in the country, as per the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2022.
The introduction of the 6-digit HUID in 2021 marked a significant development in the hallmarking process. A hallmarked item now contains three marks: the BIS logo, the item’s purity, and a unique 6-digit alphanumeric HUID.
The Importance of the HUID
Each HUID is distinct, making it easily traceable. Consumers can use this number to verify and authenticate their purchases through the ‘verify HUID’ feature available on the BIS CARE app. This application provides details about the jeweler who hallmarked the article, the jeweler’s registration number, the item’s purity and type, and the details of the hallmarking center that tested and marked the article.
With this information at their disposal, consumers can confidently verify their purchases by comparing the declared type and purity of their selected article with the recorded data.
The Significance of Hallmarking
Hallmarking serves as a powerful tool for protecting consumers and bolstering their confidence in buying hallmarked gold jewelry. It offers assurance of quality and traceability, key factors when purchasing valuable items. As per the BIS Rules outlined in 2018, if hallmarked jewelry is found to be of lesser purity than what was declared on the piece, the consumer is entitled to compensation. This compensation amount is calculated based on twice the difference in purity for the weight of the item sold, alongside testing charges.
In essence, this new rule by the BIS is a definitive stride towards ensuring transparency and developing consumer trust in India’s gold market.
