| BIS hallmark | |
|---|---|
 The BIS corporate logo which is a component of the hallmark format | |
| Standards organization | Bureau of Indian Standards |
| Certifying agency | Accredited 'Assaying & Hallmarking Centres' |
| Effective region | India |
| Effective since | 2000 for Gold jewelry, 2005 for Silver jewelry |
| Product category | Gold jewelry, Silver jewelry |
| Website | bis.org.in |
TheBIS Hallmark is ahallmarking system forgold as well assilverjewellery sold in India, certifying the purity of the metal.[1][2] It certifies that the piece of jewellery conforms to a set of standards laid by theBureau of Indian Standards, the national standards organization ofIndia. India is the second biggest market for gold and its jewellery.
Indiaimports in excess of 1000 tons annually (including unofficially smuggled gold) with negligible local production.[3] The annual gold imports are around 50 billion US$ next only tocrude oil imports widening thetrade deficit.[4]
The BIS system of hallmarking ofgold jewellery began in April 2000. The standard specifications governing this system are IS 1417 (grades of gold and gold alloys, jewellery/artefacts), IS 1418 (assaying of gold in goldbullion, goldalloys and gold jewellery/artefacts), IS 2790 (guidelines for manufacture of 14, 18 and 22 carat gold alloys only ), IS 3095 (gold solders for use in manufacture of jewellery).[5]
BIS hallmark for gold jewelry consists of several components:
BIS introduced hallmarking forsilver jewelry in December 2005 under IS 2112, the standard specification for 'Hallmarking of Silver Jewellery/Artefacts'.[6]
The testing of the jewelry as well as the hallmarking is done by approved Assaying & Hallmarking Centres present across all over nation. These are private undertakings approved as well as monitored by the BIS.