Mandatory Hallmarking: What This Means For The Industry?

Amidst several concerns, long meetings, continual discussions and more, the landmark regulation related to mandatory hallmarking becomes a reality in India – all set to change the course of the Indian G & J Industry completely. Opinions from across the industry highlight the upsides and downsides of thisregulation

- Sugandha R

The mandatory hallmarking regulation gets a final nod from government officials – That said it does open itself to immense scope for improvement and correction – which will come over time. In the past there were several concerns which have been adequately considered and provided for in this first set of regulatory exemptions.

Having said that, today, the only primary areas of worry include: acute shortage of A & H facilities across the country and responsibility of error in hallmarking. Retailers cannot be held responsible for wrongful hallmarking – it has to be the responsibility of the centre which has made the mistake in hallmarking. Another area of concern is multiple caratages in a single ornament which still needs to be addressed. Explains a jewellery retailer, “Every ornament usually has joints, some may have locks, hooks, or prongs to hold diamonds, having uniform caratage or say 18 carat gold throughout can compromise on its strength. Earlier many jewellers used to make the prongs in 14-carats and rest of the ornament in 18 carats. 18 carat gold is strong enough to hold the solitaire, however, prongs of 14-carat gold are surely stronger because of higher quantity of copper.”

A Landmark Announcement

India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution based on extensive consultations with key stakeholders of the trade has exempted gold jewellery exports from the mandatory hallmarking that comes into effect from 16th June, 2021. From June 16 sale of hallmarked jewellery begins and retailers are strictly forbidden to sell non-hallmarked items thereafter.