Government to Introduce Hallmarking for Silver Jewellery from September 1
Silver Hallmarking To Be Voluntarily Implemented From September 1: In India, buying gold and silver jewellery has always been associated with cultural pride and emotional value. Besides being ornamental, jewellery also serves as a reliable form of investment. This dual purpose makes it crucial for buyers to ensure the purity and authenticity of their jewellery.
2. New Hallmarking Rule for Silver Jewellery (Effective from September 1, 2025)
To enhance consumer protection and trust, the government has introduced a voluntary hallmarking system for silver jewellery from September 1, 2025. Although not mandatory yet, customers now have the option to choose between hallmarked and non-hallmarked silver jewellery.
3. What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is the process of certifying the purity and authenticity of precious metals like gold and silver. A hallmark on a piece of jewellery guarantees that it has been tested according to government standards, offering buyers assurance about its quality and value.
4. Six Purity Standards for Silver Introduced
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has defined six purity levels for silver: 800, 835, 900, 925, 970, and 990. Each piece of hallmarked silver will also carry a 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code to ensure traceability and help consumers verify authenticity easily.
5. Comparison with Gold Hallmarking
Similar to gold hallmarking, which became mandatory in 2021, this step brings silver under a regulated framework. It aims to build transparency in the jewellery market and ensures that consumers receive genuine, certified products.
6. How Will Hallmarking Be Done?
Silver jewellery will be tested and certified at government-approved hallmarking centres. Each hallmark will include:
- Manufacturer’s logo or mark
- Purity grade (e.g., 925 for 92.5% pure silver)
- Code of the hallmarking centre
- Year of marking
This ensures that every piece of jewellery carries traceable information about its origin and purity.
7. Key Benefits of Silver Hallmarking
- Consumer Protection: Prevents buyers from purchasing fake or adulterated silver.
- Increased Credibility: Boosts trust in sellers who offer certified products.
- Market Transparency: Reduces black marketing and silver adulteration.
- Support for Indian Silver Industry: Aligns Indian standards with global benchmarks, strengthening the domestic silver sector.
8. Penalty for Non-Compliance
Sellers who violate hallmarking guidelines will face strict penalties and legal action. This provision aims to ensure that the integrity of the new system is maintained and that consumers are not misled.
9. Applicability Beyond Jewellery
While the rule currently focuses on jewellery, the government may expand hallmarking to include silver utensils and artefacts (e.g., trays, spoons, etc.) in the future. This would further widen the scope of consumer protection.
10. Globally Recognized Purity – 92.5% Sterling Silver
The 92.5% purity level, also called sterling silver, is internationally accepted. This benchmark will now be a key part of hallmarking in India, enabling consumers to make purchases with greater confidence.
11. History of Hallmarking in India
India adopted gold hallmarking in the early 2000s to combat adulteration and fraud. With a growing market for silver and increasing cases of silver adulteration, the government is now extending similar safeguards to silver jewellery.
12. Tips for Consumers
- Always check for the hallmark and 6-digit HUID code while buying silver jewellery.
- Ask for a certificate of purity from the seller if in doubt.
- Prefer purchasing from certified jewellery stores.
- When shopping online, buy only from trusted and verified platforms.
