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Almost every individual is fond of wearing jewelry, especially women. Jennie Kwon says, ‘Jewelry has the power to be this one little thing that can make you feel unique.’ It is a symbol of uniqueness and love. Additionally, jewelry is the heartbeat of any wedding. Parents gift their children jewelry as a token of their love. So, there are various reasons for buying jewelry among different people. Based on Grand View Research, the global jewelry market was valued at USD 340.69 billion in 2023. It states that the number of consumers buying jewelry made of gold and silver is increasing quickly. No matter whether you want gold or silver jewelry, ensure you check the BIS Hallmark.
2. What is BIS Hallmark?
BIS Hallmark is a certification symbol or mark used to check the purity of jewelry (gold or silver) in India. The Bureau of Indian Standards is the national standards organization in India, which is liable for developing marking, standardization, and quality certification for goods or items. BIS Hallmark verifies that a piece of jewelry either gold or silver meets the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
At times, jewelers can sell a piece of gold jewelry claiming that it is 22 karat, although it may have lesser purity. This is the main reason why BIS has set hallmark standards for jewelry. You must know genuine hallmarking signs to avoid such types of fraud.
3. Types of main hallmarks on jewelry
Generally, there are two main types of hallmarks you can see on jewelry while buying it. The types of hallmarks are explained below:
Stamps: A stamp is one of the traditional hallmarks of gold jewelry. The symbol of the hallmark was stamped into the jewelry. In many cases, stamping the hallmark into the gold jewelry is not ideal. Like, if the gold jewelry is hollow or delicate, the stamp can deform it slightly. Similarly, if you have an old gold ring, the metal wears down with time and the same happens with a hallmark stamp.
Laser: These days, laser hallmarking has become more popular in the jewelry industry. As the demand for wedding rings, stone sets, and designed jewelry has increased, manufacturers have started using the laser hallmark. Laser hallmarks do not disfigure the jewelry. It is subtle and visible through a loupe in most cases. The limitation of using this type of hallmarking is that if a piece of jewelry with laser hallmarking needs sizing; the hallmark can be polished out. If this happens during the sizing procedure, the gold jewelry needs to be sent back to the assay office to get it restored. Of course, no one other than the assay office can legally register it.
4. Identifying the BIS Hallmark: Know the procedure
- Seek the Hallmark symbol
The first thing you can do is to look for the Hallmark symbol, which is a small, circular mark carved on the piece of jewelry. This symbol contains many components that verify the authenticity of the certification.
- Look for the BIS Logo
Next, you can check the BIS logo. The BIS logo generally features the letters ‘BIS’ in a schematic format and is typically accompanied by a unique number allocated to the certifying manufacturer or jeweler. For example, a circle with ‘BIS’ printed inside symbolizes the BIS logo.
- Check the purity grade
The hallmark on the jewelry should indicate the purity of the metal either gold or silver. If we talk about gold, the purity grade is generally expressed in karats such as 22k for 91.6 percent pure gold. In the case of silver, it is described in parts per thousand such as 925 for 92.5 percent pure silver.
- Examine the hallmarking date
Some hallmarks on the jewelry comprise a code displaying the date or year when it was certified and tested. Once you see this mark on the jewelry, you can identify the age and authenticity of the hallmark.
- Identify the Assaying and Hallmarking Center Mark
It is also important to check the Assaying and Hallmarking Center Mark. This mark displays the specific assaying and hallmarking center, which is responsible for testing and certifying the jewelry. This mark is often denoted as a number or code that recognizes the location where a particular piece of jewelry has been tested.
- Confirm with the BIS database
Another way to check the authenticity of the jewelry hallmark is by visiting the BIS website. To cross-check the hallmark authenticity, you can contact BIS directly. The BIS has a database of registered jewelers and manufacturers, which you can use to confirm the hallmark details.
Conclusion
Having a BIS hallmark on the jewelry shows its purity and genuineness. So, ensure you check it before buying jewelry.
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