Buying gold this Dhanteras? Don’t pay before checking these 6 things

If you are planning to buy gold jewellery this Dhanteras, do not rush through the purchase without checking a few important details. Apart from comparing gold rates and making charges, buyers should verify the purity, weight and hallmark of the jewellery and ensure they receive a proper invoice.

Here is a last-minute checklist to follow before paying for gold jewellery.

Check all three hallmark details

Look for these three mandatory markings on hallmarked gold jewellery:

• BIS logo: The Standard Mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• Purity mark: Indicates the gold’s fineness. For example, 22-carat gold carries the 916 mark, while 18-carat gold carries the 750 mark.
• Six-digit HUID: The Hallmark Unique Identification code assigned to the individual jewellery article.

Verify the HUID on the BIS Care app

Do not stop at checking the stamp. Use the ‘Verify HUID’ feature on the BIS Care app to check the jewellery’s registered details, including its purity, article type, jeweller and assaying and hallmarking centre.

Get the jewellery weighed in front of you

Do not rely only on the weight printed on a pre-placed tag. Ask the jeweller to weigh the article in your presence.

If the jewellery contains stones, beads or other non-gold components, check the net gold weight separately. The gross weight of the jewellery may include these additional materials.

Ask for a purity test if you have doubts

If you are unsure about the declared purity, you can approach a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) for testing. Such centres can assess the gold content and issue an assay report.

Insist on a proper GST invoice

Do not leave the store without a detailed bill. Check that the invoice mentions the jewellery description, net weight of the precious metal, purity in carat and fineness, and hallmarking charges, as applicable under BIS guidelines.

Keep the invoice safely. It serves as purchase documentation and can help you seek redressal if a dispute over purity or weight arises later.

Know your recourse if purity does not match

If hallmarked jewellery is found to have lower purity than the fineness marked on it, consumers can approach BIS. Under the applicable provisions, compensation can be equivalent to twice the difference in value arising from the purity shortfall, along with testing charges.

Before you pay: Check the BIS logo, purity mark and HUID; verify the HUID on the BIS Care app; confirm the net gold weight; and collect a detailed invoice. These simple checks can help you make a more informed purchase.