As per Bureau of Indian Standards (Unless) Website, “It is necessary to collect authentic bills / challans of hallmarked articles from the retailer / jeweller. This is necessary for any dispute/abuse/grievance redressal.”
So, what should be a correct bill/invoice for purchase of hallmarked jewellery?
As per BIS website: The details of hallmarked items are required in the bill/invoice issued by the jeweller/retailer. The bill or invoice for sale of hallmarked precious metal articles should state the details of each item, the net weight of the precious metal, purity in carats and purity and the hallmarking fee. It is also mentioned that “consumers can get the correctness of hallmarked jewellery/artifacts verified from any of the BIS accredited A&H centres”.
Suppose you are buying8 gram 22 kg gold chain, then on the challan your jeweler will mention:
- Item name & description: gold chain
- Quantity: 1
- Weight (gram): 8 grams
- Accuracy: 22KT
- Current Gold Rate and Making Charges
- Hallmarking Fee: Rs 35 + GST
- Total amount payable by buyer
If the gold chain has stones, the jeweler has to separately mention the value and weight of the stones in the invoice.
If a consumer has doubts about the purity of gold, he can go to any BIS recognized assay and hallmarking (A&H) Center. A customer has to pay Rs 200 as the test fee. The list of BIS accredited Assay and Hallmarking Centers is available on the BIS website and can be accessed at: https://www.manakonline.in/MANAK/AHCListForWebsite../p>
As per Section 49 of the BIS Rules, 2018, in case the precious metal article does not conform to the relevant standards, such compensation to the buyer/customer shall be twice the amount of difference calculated on the basis of lack of purity for the weight . Such articles sold and the trial fee.
ahead, hallmarking fee does not depend on the weight of gold jewelery. These are flat charges.
What other things should a buyer pay attention to?
From June 16, 2021, it is mandatory for jewelers to sell only hallmarked gold jewelery and artefacts. According to the BIS website, “Outside the sales outlet, the registered jeweler shall display the logo of BIS with the words “Hallmarked Jewelery available for sale”. The jeweler should have a magnifying glass of minimum 10X magnification in order to show the hallmark to the customer in the jewellery. The relationship of beauty with the caratage shall be demonstrated by the jeweller.”