Editor’s Note
This article discusses the upcoming mandatory hallmarking regulations for silver, set to take effect from September 1. The new rules, mirroring existing standards for gold, aim to ensure purity and consumer protection. Industry experts suggest this move may lead to an increase in silver prices due to enhanced compliance and quality assurance.
The government has made gold hallmarking mandatory. Now, major preparations are also underway for silver. This means hallmarking for silver will also become mandatory. The government is introducing new rules for this. Experts say that silver hallmarking could increase its price.
The central government has decided to take an important step regarding the purity of silver jewelry. From September 1, 2025, new rules for hallmarking on silver jewelry will come into effect. However, this rule will be voluntary in the initial phase, meaning customers can choose to buy hallmarked jewelry or opt for non-hallmarked jewelry. Overall, it will not be mandatory. Meanwhile, experts say that people will gradually show more trust in hallmarked silver.
This hallmarking process will be exactly the same as when hallmarking was first introduced for gold jewelry. These new rules, to be implemented by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), will make it even easier for customers to identify the purity and quality of silver jewelry. These new rules will help curb the trend of fake and fraudulent jewelry. At the same time, customers will be able to get pure and quality jewelry.
It should be noted that hallmarking means certifying the purity of the metal. After testing in BIS labs, customers will be assured that the jewelry they are buying is completely pure. Customers will feel that they are not paying money for the wrong place or fake jewelry.
According to a report in The Economic Times, the Bureau of Indian Standards has prepared 6 standard benchmarks for testing the purity of silver. Through these standards, it will be possible to determine what percentage of silver is pure. Under the new system, BIS has set a total of six purity levels for silver. These include levels 900, 800, 835, 925, 970, and 990. Let’s find out what each level means…
If the number 990 is written on a silver jewelry item, it means this is the purest form of silver. This number means the silver is 99% pure. Such silver is also called fine silver. This type of silver is used in bars or coins. It is quite soft, which is why it is very rarely used in jewelry.
If the number 970 is written on a silver jewelry item, it means this jewelry is 97% pure. Such silver is used in making jewelry and utensils.
This number means the silver is 92.5% pure. This silver is also called sterling silver. This silver is considered better for making jewelry.
When the number 900 is written on a silver jewelry item, it will be considered that this silver is 90% pure. This type of silver is used in some jewelry and silver coins.
This number means the purity of silver is 83.5%. So, if the number 835 is found on silver jewelry, understand how pure it is.
If the number 800 is written on a silver jewelry item, it will be considered that the silver is 80% pure. The mixture of other materials like copper in it is only 20%.
With silver hallmarking, buyers will have no doubts about purity. Their trust in jewelers will increase. Customers will now be able to buy silver anklets, chains, rings, toe rings, etc., by looking at the hallmark. This will put a check on fake jewelry. At the same time, transparency in the jewelry industry will also increase.