Hallmark – Your Quick Guide to Gold Purity and Certification
When buying Indian jewellery, Hallmark is the first thing you should check. Hallmark a government‑approved stamp that guarantees the gold’s purity, weight and compliance with BIS standards. Also called hallmarking stamp, it verifies gold purity and ensures legal authenticity. The gold purity the percentage of pure gold in an alloy, expressed in karats or parts per thousand is displayed by the 750 stamp a mark meaning 75% pure gold, also known as 18 K gold. The certifying body, the BIS Bureau of Indian Standards, which runs the national hallmarking scheme, ensures that every piece meets these limits. In short, Hallmark ↔ gold purity, gold purity ↔ 750 stamp, and BIS ↔ authenticity form a clear chain of trust for any buyer.
Why Hallmark Matters for Buyers and Sellers
For a shopper, a Hallmark gives confidence that the price you pay matches the metal content. A piece marked 22 K (916) or 18 K (750) will hold its value longer than an unmarked item because resale markets and pawn shops rely on those stamps to assess worth. Sellers benefit too: displaying a Hallmark on every design signals professionalism, reduces disputes, and often allows retailers to charge a premium for certified quality. Moreover, Indian law requires Hallmarking for gold jewellery above a certain weight, so compliance protects both parties from legal trouble. If you compare two identical looking necklaces, the one with a clear Hallmark will typically have better craftsmanship, as manufacturers who invest in certification also tend to follow stricter production standards.
Many shoppers get confused by the different numbers you see on a piece—750, 585, 916, or even a tiny triangle. Each represents a specific purity: 585 means 58.5% gold (14 K), 916 means 91.6% gold (22 K), and the triangle indicates the BIS hallmarker’s identification code. Understanding these symbols lets you quickly verify if a seller’s claim matches the actual metal. Another common myth is that a Hallmark guarantees flawless design; it only guarantees metal content. You still need to check for workmanship, stone setting quality, and overall finish. Lastly, keep an eye on the year and the hallmarking office code; newer codes reflect updated testing methods that give even more reliable readings. Armed with this knowledge, you can walk into any jewellery store, read the stamps confidently, and decide whether the piece meets your style and investment goals.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deeper into Hallmark‑related topics—how to read stamps, differences between 22 K and 24 K, why gold is cheaper in some markets, and tips for spotting fake hallmarks. Whether you’re a first‑time buyer, a seasoned collector, or a retailer looking to boost credibility, the posts ahead will give you practical insights you can apply right away.