A Certificate of Purity
A hallmark ensures the purity and fineness of precious metals like gold and acts as a safeguard to people purchasing gold jewellery. An official assaying and hallmarking centre evaluates and tests gold jewellery. A hallmark certification means that gold articles conform to national and international standards of purity. The Bureau of Indian Standards or BIS is the nation’s apex body for developing standards of quality, certification, and consumer affairs. The BIS Hallmark gold jewellery is a widely accepted mark of conformity.
The Process
The jewellers, retailer or manufacturer, can apply for a license to use the Hallmark on their articles of gold jewellery. The BIS conducts a preliminary inspection to verify the jewellers’ premises, testing facilities and testing competence. After independent testing, satisfactory inspection, and test results, the jeweller is granted a license. A licensed jeweller is obliged to follow BIS schemes and standards. Regular testing and inspection are carried out to ensure purity, homogeneity, and conformity to hallmark standards. The jewellery can be hallmarked at any authorized Assaying and Hallmarking center.
The Components Of A Hallmark Sign
A hallmark sign is punched or laser engraved on each article of jewellery. The components of a gold hallmark are:
- The first is the BIS Standard Mark logo
- The fineness mark which refers to gold caratage or purity
- Mark of assaying center
- Year of marking
- The manufacturer’s mark
Advantages Of Hallmarked Jewellery
The Hallmark provides the jewellers an opportunity to prove their standards of quality and consistent purity. It not only enhances consumer satisfaction but also increases the jeweller’s competitiveness. It acts as a safeguard for people purchasing gold jewellery. A hallmark ensures that the jewellery’s gold content has been evaluated and certified in adherence to international standards of purity.