BIS: Hallmarked gold jewellery to bear gold caratage and fineness

New additions to hallmarked gold jewellery are expected in the new year, following the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) announcement that all hallmarked gold jewellery would bear the caratage and fineness of gold on the jewellery currently marked, reports say. This is to come into effect beginning January 1, 2017, reports say.

BIS noted hallmarked gold jewellery would now be made available in 14 karat, 18 karat and 22 karat with the purity mark, reports say. This will make the new hallmark as 22k916, 18k750 and 14k585 for gold jewellery in 22k, 18k and 14k respectively, from the previous pieces only bearing 916, 750 and 585, respectively, reports add.

The hallmark on gold jewellery would thus bear four marks - BIS Mark, Purity in carat and Fineness, Assaying centre’s identification mark and Jeweller’s identification mark, as per BIS, reports note.