Everything you need to know about gold purity, hallmarking, making charges and how to choose the perfect gold piece.
Gold jewellery is an investment, a tradition and a statement of personal style. In India, gold holds a significance that goes far beyond its monetary value — it is woven into our weddings, festivals, and family legacies. Understanding how to buy gold wisely ensures that your investment retains its value and your jewellery brings joy for generations.
The first thing to understand is gold purity. 24K gold is 99.9% pure and is too soft for jewellery, so it is alloyed with other metals to increase durability. 22K gold (91.6% purity) is the standard for traditional Indian jewellery and is ideal for pieces that will be worn regularly. 18K gold (75% purity) is preferred for diamond jewellery as the harder alloy holds stones more securely.
Hallmarking is your assurance of purity. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark includes the BIS logo, the purity number, the jeweller’s identification mark, and the year of marking. Since 2021, hallmarking has been mandatory for gold jewellery in India, so always look for the hallmark.
Making charges are the cost of craftsmanship and can vary significantly. For machine-made pieces, making charges are typically 8-15% of the gold value. For handcrafted pieces with intricate work like Kundan or meenakari, making charges can range from 20-35%. Remember that handmade pieces carry the artistry and uniqueness that machine-made jewellery cannot replicate.
Ananya Sharma
Jewellery Expert, Lumina Jewel House
