Silver Hallmarking from September 1: What It Means for Buyers and Will Prices Rise?

The Indian government is preparing to bring silver jewellery under the same purity assurance system as gold. Beginning September 1, 2025, hallmarking for silver ornaments will officially come into effect. While the new rule will initially remain voluntary and not mandatory, experts believe most buyers will increasingly prefer hallmarked jewellery for trust and transparency.

What’s Changing from September 1?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has finalized six official purity grades for silver: 800, 835, 900, 925, 970, and 990. Every hallmarked silver ornament will now carry a six-digit unique identification number (HUID). This number will serve as a quick verification tool, allowing both buyers and sellers to confirm the authenticity and purity of jewellery instantly.

This new system is set to replace the old hallmarking process and promises greater transparency and accountability in the silver market. Just as hallmarked gold became the trusted standard, silver jewellery will now undergo similar checks to ensure customers receive the purity they are paying for.

Why Is Hallmarking Important?

Hallmarking refers to the certification of metal purity after laboratory testing by BIS. A hallmark on jewellery guarantees that the ornament has been tested and meets the declared standards.

In the absence of hallmarking, the risk of impurities or adulteration in silver ornaments is higher. With the introduction of the HUID system, the chances of fraud and misrepresentation will significantly reduce. Customers will also be able to verify their purchase through the BIS Care mobile application, which offers a "Verify HUID" feature to check whether the code engraved on the jewellery is genuine.

Benefits for Customers

For buyers, the biggest advantage is trust and safety. With hallmarking, the silver jewellery they purchase will carry an assurance of purity and quality. This means customers no longer have to rely solely on the seller’s word.

Additionally, the hallmarking system will:

• Reduce instances of adulterated silver in the market.

• Offer easy digital verification through BIS Care App.

• Build long-term confidence in jewellery purchases.

• Bring silver jewellery at par with gold in terms of market standards.

Silver Follows the Gold Model

The move mirrors the government’s step taken in 2021, when hallmarking was made mandatory for gold jewellery. By extending the system to silver, authorities aim to make the jewellery sector more reliable, transparent, and consumer-friendly.

Although the rule is not compulsory from day one, industry watchers believe that, just like gold, silver hallmarking will soon become the norm. With growing awareness, customers are likely to demand hallmarked silver, pushing jewellers to adopt the practice on a larger scale.

Will Silver Jewellery Become More Expensive?

One major question among buyers is whether hallmarking will make silver jewellery costlier. Experts suggest that while the hallmarking process does add a small testing and certification cost, it is unlikely to cause a significant price rise. Instead, the added assurance of purity may encourage more demand, making the jewellery sector stronger and more competitive.

In fact, hallmarking could help curb unfair pricing practices and ensure that customers pay a fair value for the silver they buy.

What to Expect After September 1

From September onwards, customers will have the choice to purchase hallmarked or non-hallmarked silver ornaments. However, given the trust and authenticity factor, experts believe hallmarked jewellery will soon dominate the market.

This shift is not only beneficial for consumers but also for the jewellery industry as a whole. By ensuring higher standards, jewellers can strengthen customer relationships and establish greater credibility in domestic as well as international markets.