Hallmarking of precious metals

Subject: Economy

Context:

In view of the Mandatory Hallmarking, the number of jewellers and hallmarking centres applying for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificate will increase manifold and to deal with increasing number of applications, an online system for issuing BIS certificate has been developed by BIS and launched by the Government

Concept:

• Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles.
• Hallmarks are thus official marks used in many countries as a guarantee of purity or fineness of precious metal articles.
• The principle objectives of the Hallmarking Scheme are to protect the public against adulteration and to obligate manufacturers to maintain legal standards of fineness
• In India, at present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the purview of Hallmarking.
• The BIS Hallmarking Scheme has been aligned with International criteria on hallmarking
• As per this scheme, Registered is granted to the jewellers by BIS under Hallmarking Scheme. The BIS certified jewellers can get their jewellery hallmarked from any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.
• Hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts will be made mandatory across the country from January 15, 2021 to ensure purity of the precious metal.