The tradition of buying gold on Dhanteras and Diwali in India has existed for ages and impacts consumer behaviour in the country.
Many merchants try to take advantage of the high gold demand in the market and sell low-quality gold to customers.
If you’re looking to buy gold this Diwali season, here are a set of ways to check the purity of the metal.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark, in the shape of a triangle, includes details like the purity level in karats and also the identity of the jeweller.
Logo: Wikipedia
Each hallmarked gold item has a unique six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number that verifies its authenticity. You can check this number using the BIS Care App.
Image: Bhima Jewellery
There are different hallmarks on gold jewellery like 22K916 (contains 91.6% gold), 18K750 (contains 75% gold) and 14K585 (contains 58.5% gold).
Real gold does not respond to magnets. If your gold item sticks to a magnet, it may not be pure.
Real gold has a high density and will not float. You can easily check the density by attempting to make it float. If your gold item sinks, it may be pure.
Remember to take the bill when you buy any gold item. The bill must include weight, karats and the hallmark certificate.
Another way to invest in gold is via Gold ETFs. These funds offer the benefit of investing in gold without storage or authenticity concerns.
Thanks for reading!
See next