Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles. Hallmarks are thus official marks used in many countries as a guarantee of purity or fineness of precious metal articles. The principle objectives of the Hallmarking Scheme are to protect the public against adulteration and to obligate manufacturers to maintain legal standards of fineness. In India, at present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the purview of Hallmarking.
The BIS Hallmarking Scheme has been aligned with International criteria on hallmarking. As per this scheme, licence is granted to the jewellers by BIS under Hallmarking Scheme. The BIS certified jewellers can get their jewellery hallmarked from any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. The recognition of an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre is done against IS 15820:2009.
The annual consumption of gold which was estimated at 65 tonnes in 1982, has increased to over 800 tonnes presently. About 80% is for jewellery fabrication (mainly 22 carat purity) for domestic demand, 15% for investor demand and barely 5% for industrial use. According to a FICCI study, the gold processing industry has around 15000 players, with around 80 units having revenues over US $ 5 million. India is also home to around 4,50,000 gold smiths, over 100,000 gold jewellers, along with about 6000 diamonds- processing players and 8000 diamond jewellers.
Look for these marking on hallmarked jewellery/ artifact.