What is Gold Purity?

Pure gold, also called 24 karat gold, is too soft for everyday jewellery. To make it durable enough for rings, chains, and bangles, gold is alloyed with other metals such as copper, silver, or zinc. The proportion of pure gold in the alloy determines its karat value. Higher karat means more pure gold content, but also softer metal. Lower karat means greater durability but less gold content.

In India, 22 karat gold is the most popular choice for traditional jewellery because it offers an ideal balance between purity and strength. For diamond studded or intricate designs, 18 karat and 14 karat gold are preferred because they hold gemstones more securely.

Gold Karat Comparison Table

The table below breaks down the most common gold purities available in Indian jewellery stores. Check today's live gold rate in Nagpur to calculate the per-gram price for each karat.

What is BIS Hallmark?

BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards. Since June 2021, it is mandatory for all gold jewellery sold in India to carry a BIS hallmark under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order. This hallmark is a government-backed guarantee that the gold purity stated by the jeweller is accurate and verified by an independent assaying centre.

The BIS hallmark system was introduced to protect consumers from being cheated by unscrupulous sellers who mix lower-grade gold or add excessive alloys. When you buy hallmarked gold from Londe Jewellers Gold & Diamonds stores in Nagpur, you can be confident that every gram meets the stated purity.

How to Read a BIS Hallmark (HUID System)

Since July 2021, BIS introduced the HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) system. Every hallmarked piece of gold jewellery now receives a unique six-digit alphanumeric code. Here is how the new hallmark looks:

You can verify any HUID code on the official BIS Care app or website. Simply enter the six-character code and it will show you the jeweller name, assaying centre, purity grade, and date of hallmarking. This makes it virtually impossible to counterfeit hallmarked jewellery.

Methods to Check Gold Purity

Beyond the BIS hallmark, there are several ways to verify gold purity. Some are professional techniques used by assaying centres, while others can be done at home as preliminary checks.

At Londe Jewellers Gold & Diamonds, we use XRF testing equipment in our stores so customers can verify the purity of their buy on the spot. Combined with BIS hallmarking, this gives you double assurance of gold quality.

Why BIS Hallmark Matters for Your Buy

Buying non hallmarked gold jewellery carries significant risks. Without hallmarking, you have no independent verification that the gold is actually the purity claimed by the seller. Here is what could go wrong:

• Lower purity than claimed: A piece sold as 22K could actually be 20K or 18K, meaning you pay more per gram of pure gold than you should.
• Poor resale value: When you try to sell or exchange non hallmarked gold, buyers will offer significantly lower rates because they cannot verify purity without testing.
• No legal recourse: Without hallmark documentation, it is difficult to file complaints or claim refunds for impure gold.
• Cadmium contamination: Some non hallmarked gold may contain cadmium, a toxic metal that can cause skin reactions.

When you shop at Londe Jewellers Gold & Diamonds' gold collection, every item carries proper BIS hallmarking with a traceable HUID number, along with a detailed invoice showing gross weight, net weight, making charges, and purity grade.

Tips for Buying Gold Jewellery in Nagpur

1. Always check the hallmark: Look for the BIS logo, purity mark, and HUID on every piece.
2. Verify the HUID online: Use the BIS Care app to confirm authenticity before leaving the store.
3. Compare gold rates: Check the daily gold rate before visiting to know the fair price per gram.
4. Ask for a detailed invoice: Ensure the bill lists gross weight, net weight, stone weight (if any), making charges, and GST separately.
5. Understand making charges: Making charges vary by design complexity. Machine made pieces have lower charges than handcrafted ones.
6. Check the buyback policy: Reputable jewellers like Londe offer full gold-value buyback on hallmarked jewellery purchased from them.
7. Consider Gold SIP: If you want to accumulate gold over time, explore our Gold SIP monthly plan for systematic savings.

What Purity Means When You Bring Old Gold In

Purity decides what your old gold is worth, and it is established by test rather than by the stamp on the piece. An old unstamped piece can read anywhere from 14K to 22K, which is why the test method matters more than the argument about it. Ask for an XRF machine test done in front of you, which is non destructive and gives a reading you can see. Refuse an acid or touchstone test, because it removes metal from your piece, and refuse an eyeball estimate, because there is nothing to check it against afterwards.

Once purity is settled, three more numbers decide the figure you are offered: net weight after stones and any lac filling are excluded, the rate applied on the day, and the deduction taken before you are paid. The deduction is the one buyers rarely ask about and it is usually the largest of the four, commonly quoted at 5 to 15 percent. At Londe Jewellers Gold & Diamonds the deduction on 22K and 24K gold is 0 percent, with no melting charge, no refining charge and no wastage charge, and the same prevailing Nagpur counter rate is used both for crediting your old gold and for selling to you.

The full arithmetic, a live rate weight ladder and what each deduction band costs in rupees are set out in the old gold valuation guide for Nagpur, and the complete terms are on the gold exchange in Nagpur page. To have a piece weighed and XRF tested with no obligation to buy, walk in to any of the four showrooms, all open every day 11 AM to 8:30 PM: Sitabuldi, Modi No. 2 opposite Datta Mandir, Nagpur 440012, 090755 12053. Gokulpeth, Plot No. 175 N Bazar Road, Nagpur 440010, 084460 90383. Manish Nagar, Beltarodi Road near Shanti Park, Nagpur 440037, 080101 48427. Nandanvan, Tiranga Square Road, Azamshah Layout, Nagpur 440024, 088579 83767.

Frequently Asked Questions, Gold Purity & Hallmark