Gold jewellery has always held a special place in Indian culture—symbolizing tradition, prosperity, investment, and emotional value. But in a market where purity truly defines the worth of gold, ensuring that customers get exactly what they are promised becomes crucial. This is where the BIS hallmark comes into the picture. It is not just a small marking on jewellery—it is a mark of authenticity, purity, and trust. In this blog, we explore what the BIS hallmark is, why it is used, why gold jewellery needs it, and how trusted jewellers like P. N. Gadgil & Sons implement it for their customers.
What is BIS?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India. It was established to maintain and regulate quality, safety, and reliability across various products sold in the country. For gold jewellery, BIS operates the hallmarking system that verifies the purity of gold through rigorous testing in authorized laboratories. By setting a nationwide standard, BIS ensures that customers receive gold of genuine and consistent quality—no matter where they shop. This system also helps regulate the jewellery industry by preventing unfair trade practices and keeping quality at the forefront.
What is BIS Hallmark?
A BIS hallmark is an official mark stamped on gold jewellery to certify its purity. Every hallmarked piece of jewellery goes through testing at a BIS-authorized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. The hallmark indicates that the gold meets the purity level claimed by the jeweller. The hallmark usually includes four main components:
- BIS logo
- Purity grade (for example, 22K916, 18K750, 14K585)
- Assay/Hallmarking centre’s mark
- Jeweller’s identification mark
These elements together ensure that the customer can trace the authenticity of the jewellery and verify its actual gold content. The hallmark is a protection against fraud and ensures value for money.
Why is BIS Hallmark Used?
BIS hallmarking is used to ensure purity, transparency, and customer protection. Gold is often alloyed with other metals to enhance durability or create different designs. This makes it difficult for an ordinary buyer to judge purity just by looking at the jewellery. The hallmarking process eliminates this uncertainty. It guarantees that the customer is paying for the exact purity of gold mentioned by the jeweller—nothing more, nothing less.
Additionally, the presence of hallmarking boosts customer confidence and simplifies future resale or exchange. When a piece of gold jewellery is hallmarked, its purity is recognized across India, making the transaction easier and more reliable. For jewellers, it enhances credibility and demonstrates their commitment to fair trade.
Why is Hallmarking Important for Gold Jewellery?
Gold jewellery is not just an adornment in India; it is an investment passed down through generations. Since gold carries high monetary value, even minor variations in purity can result in significant financial loss. Without hallmarking, customers risk purchasing jewellery with lower purity than claimed.
Hallmarking ensures:
- Accurate purity of gold (example: 22K should contain 91.6% pure gold)
- Consistent quality across all hallmarked items
- Trust and transparency between jewellers and buyers
- Fair pricing, since purity directly affects cost
With BIS making hallmarking mandatory in most parts of the country, purchasing non-hallmarked jewellery is now discouraged, and buyers are increasingly aware of the importance of checking the hallmark before finalizing their purchase.
How P. N. Gadgil & Sons Uses BIS Hallmark for Their Gold Jewellery
P. N. Gadgil & Sons, one of India’s oldest and most trusted jewellery brands, strongly adheres to BIS hallmarking standards. Every piece of gold jewellery they produce goes through a detailed process where the purity is tested at BIS-authorized assay centres. The brand ensures that customers receive gold that meets the exact cartage and purity promised.
PNG & Sons incorporates the full hallmarking process on their jewellery, including the BIS logo, purity stamp, and identification marks. By doing this, they reinforce transparency in the buying process. Customers who purchase from P. N. Gadgil & Sons can trust that their gold is genuinely pure and meets national quality standards. This commitment to hallmarking has helped the brand maintain its reputation for honesty, craftsmanship, and authenticity for generations.
Conclusion
The BIS hallmark is much more than a simple stamp on gold jewellery—it is a nationwide assurance of purity, quality, and trust. With hallmarking becoming mandatory and customers becoming more aware, it is now essential to always check the hallmark before making a gold purchase. Jewellers like P. N. Gadgil & Sons set an excellent example by fully embracing BIS standards and offering hallmarked gold that customers can rely on. Whether you’re buying jewellery for a special occasion, for investment, or to celebrate a milestone, choosing BIS-hallmarked gold ensures that you receive genuine value and complete peace of mind.
