Holding old, un-hallmarked gold jewellery? Here's what you can do

The government has made it mandatory for jewellers to sell only BIS hallmarked gold jewellery from June 16, 2021. Further, the government revised the hallmarking signs for gold jewellery from July 1, 2021. Following the revision, hallmarked gold jewellery will have three symbols (instead of four-five earlier). These are: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark, purity/fineness grade and 6-digit alphanumeric code or HUID.

So, what happens to gold jewellery purchased before July 1, 2021 which would have the older hallmarking symbols? Further, it may happen that you are holding gold jewellery which is not hallmarked at all. If you are worried about what will happen to your old, un-hallmarked gold jewellery or gold jewellery hallmarked with old signs, then read on to know more.

Also Read: Three signs to check purity of gold jewellery


If you have un-hallmarked gold jewellery
If an individual is holding un-hallmarked gold jewellery, then he/she has two options. These are as follows:
a) Getting the jewellery hallmarked via a BIS registered jeweller
b) Getting jewellery tested from any BIS recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre.

Also Read: How correct gold jewellery bill should look like

• Getting it hallmarked via BIS registered jeweller

As per the Department of Consumer Affairs website, the consumer may get his/her old gold jewellery hallmarked through a BIS registered jeweller. A consumer will have to give his/her un-hallmarked gold jewellery to the BIS registered jeweller.

The BIS registered jeweller will visit the BIS Assaying & Hallmarking centre to get the old un-hallmarked jewellery hallmarked. Do note that the jeweller will charge you Rs 45 (hiked from Rs 35 earlier) for hallmarking per piece of gold jewellery. As per BIS website, only BIS registered jewellers can approach the Assaying & Hallmarking centre for hallmarking of gold jewellery.

• Getting jewellery tested from BIS recognised Assaying & Hallmarking centre

Another option that a consumer has is to get the jewellery tested from any BIS recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre. The facility is available to consumers on a chargeable basis. Once the article is tested, the centre will issue an Assay report giving proper identifications as marked on the article. As per the press release issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the test report issued to the consumer will assure the consumer about the purity of their jewellery and will also be useful if the consumer wishes to sell the jewellery lying with him.

The BIS has issued guidelines for testing old, un-hallmarked gold jewellery of consumers. As per the guidelines, a consumer can bring one or multiple pieces of gold jewellery for testing. The lot brought by consumers up to 10 pieces may be considered a mixed lot. The jewellery brought will be weighed in the presence of the consumer and tagged with a serial number for identification.

There are two methods to test the purity of gold: a) XRF Method and b) Fire assaying method. XRF method is a non-destructive, preliminary method and gives gold content of surface only. Fire assaying method is a destructive method. The jewellery owner must be informed about both the methods. It is important to note that Fire assaying method is most widely used and accurate method for gold content globally. Further, a purity certificate cannot be issued based on the XRF method.

As per the press release, the charges for testing of gold jewellery up to 4 articles is Rs 200. For 5 or more articles, the charges are Rs 45 per article. The list of Assaying & Hallmarking Centre is available on the BIS website at this link https://www.bis.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/List-of-89-Centres-provided-Central-Assistance-with-amount.pdf. A consumer can visit an Assaying & Hallmarking Centre to get the purity of gold tested.

• If you have gold jewellery hallmarked with old symbols

If you have bought jewellery hallmarked with old signs (four/five signs - depending on the year it was bought), then as per BIS website, it is considered as hallmarked jewellery. There is no need to get the already hallmarked jewellery re-hallmarked with recently introduced 6-digit alphanumeric code or also known as HUID code.

At the time of selling this jewellery, it will be considered as hallmarked jewellery whose purity has been tested by the BIS.