Akshaya Tritiya 2026: 6 factors you must check before purchasing hallmarked jewellery
Since gold hallmarking is now required in the majority of Indian districts, many people are thinking about selling their old jewellery for hallmarked items in order to guarantee purity and increase its market worth. In addition to guaranteeing superior quality, jewellery with a hallmark can be readily sold in a variety of locations.
However, among many other things, you should verify the purity of your old gold, current gold prices, and exchange deductions (melting/making loss) if you want to exchange your jewellery for hallmarked items. Here, we'll go over the six most important things to think about when selling out your old jewellery for hallmarked pieces:
one should check the purity of their old gold, prevailing gold rates, exchange deductions (melting/making loss), and transparency in weight and valuation.
Prithviraj Kothari, managing director at RiddiSiddhi Bullions Ltd., President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA), explains one should check the purity of their old gold, prevailing gold rates, exchange deductions (melting/making loss), and transparency in weight and valuation.
Kothari suggests one should always choose a BIS-authorised jeweller for replacing old jewellery.
“Once should have understanding of making charges on new jewellery, and insist on proper billing and hallmarking details from the jeweller,” says Kothari.
Aksha Kamboj, vice president, (IBJA) and executive chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures, “BIS-certified hallmarking assures that gold’s karat and fineness have been independently verified at recognised assaying & hallmarking centres, reducing fraud risk and enabling fair valuation during exchange".
Kamboj says hallmarking confirms independent testing of gold jewellery purity and fineness and includes the BIS logo, purity grade and the Hallmark Unique identification (HUID) code.
Kothari reveals hallmarking certifies the purity of gold as tested and approved by a BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centre.
“It protects consumers from under-caratage, ensures fair value, improves resale value, and brings accountability and standardisation to the jewellery market,” says Kothari.
Kamboj says old jewellery—hallmarked or not—can be exchanged or sold to reputable jewellers who issue new BIS-marked jewellery.
Kamboj further says BIS permits jewellers to accept old gold and provide new hallmarked articles, though valuation methods vary across stores.
Kothari reveals some jewellers also offer exchange programmes with transparent valuation and minimal deductions.
Buyers should look for the BIS logo, purity mark (22K/18K), a six-digit HUID number, and the jeweller’s identification mark on the piece of jewellery. Authenticity can be verified by checking the HUID on the BIS Care app or BIS website.
Kothari reveals purity is tested using non-destructive methods like XRF testing or, if required, melting-based fire assay. “Final value depends on net gold content after accounting for alloys, stones, and impurities,” says Kothari.
Kamboj says purity is checked through independent testing at BIS-recognised assaying & hallmarking centres.
Kothari says consumers should verify:
*BIS logo
*Purity/fineness (e.g., 916 for 22K)
*HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification Number)
*Jeweller’s identification mark
*Year of hallmarking
