The BIS Hallmark is a hallmarking system for gold as well as silver jewellery sold in India, certifying the purity of the metal.[1][2] It certifies that the piece of jewellery conforms to a set of standards laid by the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national standards organization of India. India is the second biggest market for gold and its jewellery.
| BIS hallmark | |
|---|---|
 The BIS corporate logo which is a component of the hallmark format | |
| Standards organization | Bureau of Indian Standards |
| Certifying agency | Accredited 'Assaying & Hallmarking Centres' |
| Effective region | India |
| Effective since | 2000 for Gold jewelry, 2005 for Silver jewelry |
| Product category | Gold jewelry, Silver jewelry |
| Website | bis.org.in |
India imports in excess of 1000 tons annually (including unofficially smuggled gold) with negligible local production.[3] The annual gold imports are around 50 billion US$ next only to crude oil imports widening the trade deficit.[4]
Gold
editThe BIS system of hallmarking of gold jewellery began in April 2000. The standard specifications governing this system are IS 1417 (grades of gold and gold alloys, jewellery/artefacts), IS 1418 (assaying of gold in gold bullion, gold alloys and gold jewellery/artefacts), IS 2790 (guidelines for manufacture of 14, 18 and 22 carat gold alloys only ), IS 3095 (gold solders for use in manufacture of jewellery).[5]
The BIS hallmark
editBIS hallmark for gold jewelry consists of several components:
- The BIS hallmark logo(coporate of BIS)
- Purity of Gold either one of this 22K916 Corresponding to 22 Carat, 18K750 Corresponding to 18 Carat and 14K585 Corresponding to 14 Carat.
- 6 digit alphanumeric HUID- HALLMARK UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION
Silver
editBIS introduced hallmarking for silver jewelry in December 2005 under IS 2112, the standard specification for 'Hallmarking of Silver Jewellery/Artefacts'.[6]
Assaying & Hallmarking Centre
editThe testing of the jewelry as well as the hallmarking is done by approved Assaying & Hallmarking Centres present across all over nation. These are private undertakings approved as well as monitored by the BIS.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bureau of Indian Standards. Official website. 'BIS Certification Scheme For Hallmarking Of Gold Jewellery'". Archived from the original on 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ^ National Institute of Open Schooling. 'Wise Buying.' Archived 2010-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Gold demand by country". Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Gold imports - Social evil". 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Bureau of Indian Standards. 'HALLMARKING OF GOLD JEWELLERY IN INDIA'". Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
- ^ "ZARKAN BIS HALLMARK". Zarkan. Retrieved 2024-08-08.