Checking the purity of Gold – One of the most sought-after items by Indians is gold. Since ancient times Gold has been considered as a storehouse of value in India. Be it urban India or rural India, rich or poor India, each one tries to buy gold at the first available opportunity. Ladies always eye for this yellow metal. Mostly they prefer to purchase gold in the form of jewelry.
Whenever one plans to purchase Gold or gold jewelry, the very first thing that he should ensure is the purity of Gold i.e. how pure the gold is.
But here comes a question how an individual can check the purity of gold? So to protect the rights of consumers government has made hallmarking of gold jewellery mandatory in India. Hallmarking of gold jewelry will not only help to keep control of quality but also safeguard consumers from corrupt jewelers.
We are herewith guidelines given by BIS which everybody must read to know the basic facts about gold and what to check while purchasing gold jewelry.
How to Check the Purity of Gold? – 5 Important Signs
Under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, hallmarking agency certifies gold on the basis of Indian standards. In other words, gold jewellery will be evaluated and tested at official hallmarking centers and then certified that the metal conforms to the national and international standards of fineness and purity.
What Sign One Should Check Before Purchasing Gold Jewellery?
One must check the hallmark before purchasing gold jewellery. Hallmark consists of five components i.e.
(1) BIS Standard Mark
BIS hallmark looks likes this:-
(2) Purity Grade
Gold purity grade shows how pure the gold is.
- 999 – 24 carat – Pure Gold
- 958 – 23 carat
- 916 – 22 carat
- 875 – 21 carat
- 750 – 18 carat
- 708 – 17 carat
- 585 – 14 carat
- 417 – 10 carat
- 375 – 9 carat
- 333 – 8 carat
(3) Mark of Hallmarking Centre
One must check for Logo of Hallmarking centre where the jewellery has been hallmarked. A list of hallmarking centers is given here.
(4) Year of Marking
Alphabets represent the year of hallmarking of jewellery and is decided by BIS e.g. letter ‘A’ Donates Year 2000, ‘J’ for 2008, ‘N’ for 2010, ‘M’ for 2011 and ‘N’ for 2012 etc.
(5) Jewelers Identification Mark
Many jewelers keep their own identification mark of BIS Certified Jeweler/ Jewellery Manufacturer.
Important Points To Keep In Mind While Purchasing Gold Jewellery
- Look For :- Jewellery Showroom selling BIS Hallmark Jewellery.
- Buy:- Hallmark Jewellery only. It assures the mark of purity/fitness.
- Ask For: – Cash Memo /Invoice which will help BIS to resolve complaints (if any).
Remember Hallmarking charge on Gold Jewellery is only Rs. 35 per article & KDM jewellery is not Hallmarked jewellery. So KDM can not ensure purity of Gold.
Hallmark Rule for Gold
From June 1, 2022, jewellers can only sell hallmarked gold jewellery, irrespective of its purity. This would mean that every gold jewellery item irrespective caratage must be mandatorily hallmarked.
The government had made gold hallmarking mandatory effective from June 16, 2021; this was done for items with cartage of 14KT, 18KT and 22 KT. It was later expanded to six caratages of gold jewellery/artefacts – i.e., 14,18,20,22, 23 and 24, effective from April 4, 2022.
The government has also revised the signs of purity on gold jewellery. From June 1, 2021, hallmarked gold jewellery will have the following three signs:
a) BIS logo
b) Purity/Fineness grade
c) Six-digit Alphanumeric code, also known as HUID
Before that, there were four signs of hallmarking. These were i) BIS logo, ii) Purity/Fineness grade, iii) Assay Centre’s identification mark and iv) Jeweller’s identification number.
The fineness or purity of gold jewelry will be reflected as follows on the hallmarked item –
| Purity | Sign |
| 24KT | 24KS995 |
| 23KT | 23K958 |
| 22KT | 22K916 |
| 20KT | 20K833 |
| 18KT | 18K750 |
| 14KT | 14K585 |
Gold Purity in Karats
Understanding Gold Karats. Gold purity is measured in karats (K), with 24K being the purest form of gold. Common Gold Purity Levels in India are given below.
24K Gold (99.9% pure) – Too soft for jewelry, mostly used for investment.
22K Gold (91.6% pure) – Commonly used in jewelry.
18K Gold (75% pure) – Durable and used for designer jewelry.
14K Gold (58.5% pure) – Affordable and sturdy, often used in Western jewelry styles.
Always check the karat marking on gold items before purchasing.
Acid Test for Gold Purity
What is the Acid Test?
The acid test is a simple method used to check gold purity by applying nitric acid.
How is it Done?
A small scratch is made on the gold surface. Nitric acid is applied to the scratch. If the gold remains unchanged, it is pure; if it turns green, it’s fake.
Is the Acid Test Reliable?
While it gives a quick indication, it is not the most precise method. For better accuracy, rely on BIS hallmarking and electronic gold testers.
Magnet Test for Impurities
Why Use a Magnet to Check Gold?
Pure gold is non-magnetic. If your gold jewelry or coin gets attracted to a magnet, it likely contains other metals like iron or nickel.
How to Perform the Magnet Test?
Take a strong magnet. Hold it close to the gold item. If the gold gets pulled, it is impure.
Limitations of the Magnet Test
This test only helps detect metals mixed with gold, but it doesn’t determine the exact purity. It’s best used along with other testing methods.
Professional Gold Testing Machines
What are Gold Testing Machines?
Jewelry stores and gold dealers use advanced machines like XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) testers to check gold purity.
How Do These Machines Work?
The machine scans the gold item. It provides an accurate reading of gold content and alloy composition.
Where Can You Get Your Gold Tested?
You can visit a BIS-certified jeweler or a gold testing lab to get a precise purity test.
Additional Tips to Ensure Gold Purity
- Check for Weight and Density
- Pure gold is dense. If a gold piece feels too light, it might be mixed with other metals.
- Verify with a Trusted Jeweler
- Always buy gold from reputed jewelers to ensure authenticity and quality.
- Look for Buyback Policies
- Jewelers with transparent buyback policies are more likely to sell genuine gold.
Conclusion
Checking the purity of gold in India is essential to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. Always look for BIS Hallmark, check the karat purity, perform simple tests like acid and magnet tests, and, when in doubt, get it tested professionally. Following these steps will help you make informed decisions and avoid purchasing impure gold.
FAQs
1. How can I check if my gold is BIS hallmarked?
Look for the BIS logo, karat value, a six-digit identification number, and the jeweler’s mark on the gold item.
2. Is 22K gold better than 24K gold?
It depends on the use. 24K is the purest but too soft for jewelry, while 22K is durable and ideal for ornaments.
3. Can I test gold purity at home?
Yes, using methods like the magnet test or acid test, but for accurate results, get it checked by a professional.
4. Why does my gold jewelry turn black?
Gold doesn’t tarnish, but impurities in lower-karat gold can react with sweat, perfume, or chemicals, causing discoloration.
5. Where can I get my gold tested for purity?
Visit a BIS-certified jeweler or a professional gold testing lab for precise results.
