What Is a Hallmark on Your Jewellery and How To Identify It?

A lot of people prefer investing in gold and silver. It is an integral part of Indian culture. People buy jewellery and transfer it from one generation to another. It gives them a sense of cultural practice as well as financial security.

On the other hand, the incomparable value of these metals also opens doors for various foul businesses. In this respect, the Government of India made hallmarking gold and silver jewellery items mandatory in June 2021. Online gold buyers must also look for Hallmark on gold sale items online.

Let us know more about Hallmark and how one can identify it.

What is Hallmark Gold?

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution made hallmarking gold and silver items compulsory. As per the data released by the ministry, only 30% of the gold sale in India is hallmark-registered. It includes gold purchased by online gold buyers. This percentage is relatively low, considering the safety and assurance hallmark certification provides. Therefore, the ministry made it mandatory to hallmark gold sales online and offline. The government approved additional gold carats of 20, 23, and 24.

Hallmark is a stamp on gold and silver items that define the purity of the piece. Purity means the minimum quantity of pure metal present in an article. The hallmark gold is put on the items so that offline and online gold buyers can ascertain its purity when they buy it.

When an owner wants to sell their item, this mark ensures the new buyer their purity and authenticity. Some swindler jewellers put their brand name in place of a hallmark certification. Such branding is of no value to the offline or online gold buyer when he wants to sell it off in the future. Therefore, a gold owner needs to understand how to identify the hallmark certification.

How to Identify Hallmarks on Gold Jewellery?

It is easy to identify hallmark certification on gold items.

• A marking of ‘10k’ represents a 10-carat gold item. It means the gold piece contains 41.6% gold and 58.4% alloy.
• A marking of 585 represents 14-carat hallmark gold with 58.5% gold and 41.5% other metals.
• A marking of 24k represents 24-carat hallmark gold, 100% pure gold with no mixed alloy.

The maker’s mark looks different from the hallmark and may resemble a signature or logo.

What is the Benefit of buying Hallmark Gold Jewellery?

Gold is an expensive commodity, and it is obvious that it attracts fraud and cheating. You may end up paying the full price of a gold article for lesser purity if it is not hallmark-certified.

Hallmark verifies the authenticity of the gold article and ensures its purity level. Jewellers who sell hallmark-certified gold have to register with the BIS. Thus, hallmarking is helping the gold market to become more organized in the country. At the same time, it makes customers conscious, confident, and aware when buying gold.

Essential Components of Hallmarked Gold Jewellery

Hallmarking centers accredited by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provide hallmark certification to gold items. The essential components of hallmark certification are listed below.

• Hallmark certification on gold items has a BIS certification mark in the shape of a triangle.
• The Caratage shows the purity and fineness of a gold piece (22k915).
• The hallmark center’s identification mark or number is always present on a hallmark-certified gold item.
• The jeweler’s identification mark or number will also be there on the item.
• The BIS guidelines direct offline and online gold buyers to check the address mentioned on the jeweler’s license for additional security.
• At the time of a gold sale, the customer should ask for a breakup of the bill. It will help him compare the hallmark charges levied by the seller. The government has fixed hallmark certification charges at Rs.35 per gold item.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you identify a hallmark?

A hallmark is a mark or symbol used to indicate the quality, purity, and authenticity of a product. Hallmarks are often used on items made of precious metals, such as silver, gold, and platinum, to indicate the metal’s quality and authenticity.

To identify a hallmark, you will need to examine the item closely. Look for any marks, symbols, or numbers that are stamped or engraved on the item. These marks may be located on the back or bottom of the item, or they may be located on a separate tag or label.

Once you have located the mark, you can try to identify it by using a hallmark identification guide. These guides can be found online or in books and will provide information about the various hallmarks used by different countries and manufacturers.

2. How do you check if gold is a hallmark or not?

A hallmark is a mark or series of marks stamped onto gold to indicate its purity and other identifying characteristics such as the manufacturer or country of origin. To check if a piece of gold has a hallmark, you can follow these steps:

• Look for the hallmark: The hallmark is usually stamped onto the gold, so check the surface of the gold for any marks or symbols. The hallmark can be found on different parts of the gold, such as the clasp, the inside of the band, or the back of a pendant.
• Identify the hallmark: Once you have located the hallmark, try to identify the marks or symbols on it. The hallmark may include the purity of the gold (such as 14K or 18K), the manufacturer’s mark or logo, and the country of origin.
• Verify the hallmark: To verify the hallmark, you can use a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the marks. You can also compare the hallmark with a reference guide or take it to a reputable jeweler or appraiser who can confirm the authenticity of the hallmark.
• It’s important to note that not all gold jewelry will have a hallmark, as this is not a legal requirement in all countries. However, a hallmark can be a useful indicator of the purity and authenticity of the gold.

3. Can hallmarked jewelry be fake?

Unfortunately, it is possible for hallmarked jewelry to be fake. While hallmarks are intended to provide a way to verify the authenticity and purity of gold, there are instances where fraudulent makers create fake hallmarks or use the hallmarks of reputable makers to deceive buyers.

There are a few ways to spot fake hallmarks:

• Look for inconsistencies: Genuine hallmarks will be stamped consistently and accurately. If you see any inconsistencies or errors in the marks, such as misspellings or uneven lettering, it could be a sign that the hallmark is fake.
• Check the weight: Gold has a specific weight, so if the jewelry feels unusually light, it could be an indication that it’s not genuine.
• Get a professional opinion: If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a hallmarked piece of jewelry, you can take it to a reputable jeweler or appraiser who can evaluate the piece and provide an expert opinion.

It’s important to do your research and buy jewelry from a reputable source to reduce the risk of purchasing fake hallmarked jewelry.