Only 2,00,000 pieces of jewellery have been hallmarked since the launch of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery in April last year.
Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in gold ware. Assaying is the process whereby the sample is weighed to an accuracy of one hundred thousandth of a gram on highly sensitive balances.
Sneha Batla, director BIS, said a survey conducted in Delhi showed that around 80 per cent of the jewellery sold there was below the required caratage. Batla said similar surveys will be conducted in other parts of the country. The scheme is under voluntary basis under the BIS Act 1986.
Batla said the government is considering making hallmarking mandatory for exports in the first phase at least. However, G S Pillai, regional director, World Gold Council, India, said: "We do not want to enforce anything that cannot be effectively implemented." Hallmarking of all gold ornaments is mandatory in countries such as Britain, France, The Netherlands, Morocco, Egypt and Bahrain.
The Indian system of hallmarking is similar to that followed in Britain, where it has been practised for over a century. Under the Indian system, jewellers desirous of hallmarking their gold jewellery will be needed to be certified by BIS.
Batla said 124 licences have been granted so far. Of this while the western region accounts for 100, eastern region accounts for only 27 and three applications are pending. The criteria for granting certification will be the quality management system adopted by the jeweller and the confirming test reports.
Justifying the meager participation from the east, Bablu Dey, secretary Swarno Shilpo Bachao Committee, said the absence of a hallmarking centre is one of the reasons behind this. There are around 2,000 jewellers from Kolkata under the aegis of this committee.
The first gold hallmarking and assaying centre in the eastern region was launched in Kolkata, today, by J J Gold House. The cost of hallmarking each piece of jewellery would range between Rs 30 (up to 10 gms) and Rs 60 per piece (above 10 gms).
