In news–The Centre has announced that the second phase of mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts will come into effect from June 1 as per Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2022 that has been notified recently.
Key updates-
- Nearly 32 new districts will come under the mandatory hallmarking regime from June 1 where Assaying and Hallmarking Centres have been set up, post the implementation of the first mandatory hallmarking order.
- In addition, in the second phase, additional caratages of gold jewellery and artefacts of 20 carats, 23 carats and 24 carats will also be covered under it.
- Effective June 23, 2021, BIS implemented a mandatory hallmarking regime in 256 districts.
- Consumers can also get the purity of their unhallmarked gold jewellery tested at any of the BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHC) with minimal charges.
What is hallmarking of good jewellery?
- The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), which operates the gold and silver hallmarking scheme in India, defines hallmarking as the “accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles.”
- So, it is a “guarantee of purity or fineness” of precious metal articles.
- In India, at present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the purview of Hallmarking.
- Hallmarking signs have been revised effective from July 1, 2021.
- Three symbols of hallmarking have been introduced instead of four earlier.
- The new symbols of hallmarking are –
- BIS hallmark logo.
- Purity/fineness grade (for example 22K916 for 22 carat gold) and
- 6-digit alphanumeric code.
Exemption from Hallmarking-
However, as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), there are certain types of gold jewellery that are exempted from hallmarking. These include:
- A gold article with weight less than two grams.
- Any article of gold thread.
- Special categories of jewellery – Kundan, Polki and Jadaau.
- Gold watch and fountain pen.
- Gold bullion in any shape of bar, plate, sheet, foil, rod, wire, strip, tube or coin.
- Any article which is intended to be used for medical, dental, veterinary, scientific or industrial purposes.
- Jewellery for international exhibitions.
- Gold jewellers having annual turnover of up to Rs 40 lakh per annum.
- Any article meant for export, which conforms to any specification required by foreign buyer.
- Jewellery for domestic Business-to-Business exhibitions, approved by Government agency.
- Export and re-import of jewellery as per Trade policy of Government of India.
- Any manufactured article which is not substantially complete and which is intended for further manufacture.
- An article which is in course of consignment from outside to India to an assaying and hallmarking centre in India.
Source: The Hindu Business Line
