Silver Hallmarking Updates: Hallmarking of silver may soon become mandatory in the country. Questions are often raised regarding the quality of silver in the country. Most of the customers get silver anklets, kamarambad, tagdi, bunch, kamarbandh and bichuve etc. made in their wedding. But many times customers complain about the quality of silver. They are not able to know whether it is real or fake? At present there is no standard or criterion in India regarding the purity of silver. Union Consumer Affairs and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday urged the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to consider the possibility of making hallmarking mandatory on silver and its jewellery. He said that the demand for hallmarking of silver from customers is increasing.
The government said this
Union Consumer Affairs and Food Minister Prahlad Joshi said this during the 78th Foundation Day celebrations of BIS. He said that there is demand from consumers for hallmarking on silver. BIS can consider this and take a decision.
Currently hallmarking is mandatory only for gold
Currently, the government makes hallmarking mandatory only on gold jewelery and artefacts. Its purpose is to protect the interests of customers and guarantee the purity of the metal. The current hallmarking system for gold involves a six-digit alpha-numeric code (HUID), which certifies its purity.
Hallmarking on silver: an important step
Implementing hallmarking on silver and its jewelery will give confidence to customers in India on the quality of the precious metal. Besides, those buying silver will also have confidence in its quality.
What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is a method of verifying the purity and quality of precious metals like gold and silver. It determines whether the metal meets the standards set by the regulatory authority. Hallmark usually contains this sign which verifies the quality of the metal.
Purity/Fineness Grade – The purity of the metal (such as 22K or 916).
Sign of the Assaying and Hallmarking Center – where the purity test has been done.
Jeweler’s identification mark or code – Identification of the manufacturer or jeweler.
What does BIS do?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards organization of India, which operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The objective of BIS is to prepare and enforce standards for products, processes and systems to ensure quality, safety and reliability.
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