Tips for Checking the Purity of Gold Jewellery Before Purchasing

Gold jewellery has always been considered a part of Indian traditions. Whether it is for weddings, necklaces, bangles or everyday use, gold has been known for its elegance, cultural significance and worth for years. Nevertheless, before purchasing such an item, it is essential to understand its purity.

When you buy jewellery, knowing its purity, hallmark and price is what makes you able to make a sound decision. At Panna Jewellers Exclusive, which has a long history of more than 175 years, it is all about uniting tradition, taste and smart choice. Find out how to check the purity of gold jewellery before purchasing it.

1. Know About Gold Purity

The purity of gold means the share of pure gold in the jewellery item. Since pure gold is soft, it is alloyed with other metals in order to increase its strength and applicability.

The purity of gold is measured in karats.

24 karat gold: approximately 99.9% pure gold; used for investments and rarely in everyday jewellery items;

22 karat gold: approximately 91.6% gold; preferred for traditional Indian gold jewellery;

18 karat gold: 75% gold; used for diamond jewellery;

14 karat gold: approximately 58.5% gold; suitable for some contemporary designs.

Which kind is the right one for you depends on the jewellery you would like to have, how often you intend to wear it and if the design includes diamonds or other gems.

2. Check the BIS Hallmark

If you are planning to purchase the hallmarked gold jewellery in India, you need to check the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark.

It contains the information regarding the declared purity of the gold. Find the necessary hallmark information and make sure it corresponds to the jewellery you intend to purchase.

Common fineness markings for gold include 916 (22 karat), 750 (18 karat) and 585 (14 karat).

Hallmark is a great quality mark, but it is better to check it than assume. Make sure to ask the jeweller to clarify any doubt.

3. Check the HUID Details

Hallmarked gold jewellery that comes under the BIS regulations contains a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

Such a unique number will help consumers ascertain the information regarding their hallmarked purchase through the BIS Care app or any other BIS verification facility available at the time of purchase.

Ensure that the HUID details are clear and match those of the item. In case of doubt, seek help before making the payment.

4. Obtain an Itemized Invoice

The invoice is one important document while buying jewellery. The invoice should contain all the relevant information regarding the jewellery purchased, such as the purity, weight, gold rate, making charges, stone charges (if any), and tax on the purchase.

The knowledge of such information will help you know the cost structure of the item instead of considering the item according to its weight and design.

Do not hesitate to ask regarding any extra charge.

5. Don’t Depend Only on Gold Colour or Home Testing

It should be noted that even if the gold appears yellow in colour, it doesn’t guarantee that it is pure. This is because different alloy metals and their finishing can give the same appearance. It should also be noted that even if the appearance of the gold is pure, it still doesn’t establish the purity.

It should also be noted that home testing such as trying out magnets on the gold or scratching the gold will not guarantee purity and this could also cause damage to the jewellery. For a higher level of security, one could depend on hallmark verification, an invoice and laboratory testing if required.

6. Choose Your Jewellery According to Requirements

Traditional necklace, temple jewellery, antique bangle or a modern diamond jewellery may have different requirements of purity. You need to take into consideration the design, the stones, the frequency of wearing and of course the budget.

At Panna Jewellers Exclusive, we present the process of jewellery buying around the mix of old and new preferences

Make Your Gold Purchase with Confidence

Feel Confident While Buying Gold

Shopping for gold is meant to be a happy moment, be it a wedding, an occasion with your family or any personal moment. You can learn about the different karats, know more about the BIS hallmark and HUID numbers, and get an itemized bill to make better-informed decisions.

The heritage of 1846 has been blended well with modern ideas in the collection offered by Panna Jewellers Exclusive. Know more about the collection of Panna Jewellers Exclusive and find out the jewellery that suits you best.

Experience the gold jewellery collection at Panna Jewellers Exclusive and shop with confidence.