Silver Jewelry Hallmarking from September 1: What Changes Buyers and Sellers Should Expect

The Indian government is preparing to take a major step towards ensuring the purity of silver ornaments. Starting September 1, 2025, hallmarking rules will officially apply to silver jewelry. However, in its initial phase, this regulation will remain voluntary, meaning buyers will have the choice to purchase either hallmarked or non-hallmarked jewelry.

This initiative mirrors the earlier rollout of gold hallmarking, which was first introduced on a voluntary basis before eventually becoming mandatory. The new rules are expected to bring more transparency to the silver jewelry market and boost consumer confidence.

What Will Change with the New Rule?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set six recognized purity levels for silver—900, 800, 835, 925, 970, and 990. From September, every silver ornament that is hallmarked will carry a 6-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

This unique code will make it easier for customers to verify the authenticity and purity of their purchase. The system will replace the older hallmarking process, which often left room for doubt and inconsistency.

Through this digital verification process, consumers can quickly confirm whether their jewelry meets the declared standard of purity, reducing the chances of fraud or misrepresentation.

What Exactly is Hallmarking?

Hallmarking is essentially a certification of purity and authenticity for precious metals such as gold and silver. The BIS carries out this process by testing the jewelry at authorized centers before stamping it with a hallmark that guarantees its quality.

The hallmarking scheme is designed to protect buyers, ensuring that they receive the same standard of purity for which they are paying. In simple terms, it is the government’s way of giving a quality assurance seal on jewelry.

How Will Customers Benefit?

For buyers, the biggest advantage of hallmarking is protection from fraud. Jewelry without hallmarking has often been associated with adulteration or lower-than-claimed purity. The new system aims to eliminate such risks.

Another important benefit is easy verification. Consumers can use the BIS Care App, where the “Verify HUID” feature allows instant checks on whether a hallmark is genuine. This makes it harder for sellers to pass off fake or impure jewelry as certified.

As consumer awareness grows, hallmarking is expected to become a standard demand among jewelry buyers, gradually reducing the market for uncertified ornaments.

A Look Back: Gold Hallmarking Precedent

The government made hallmarking mandatory for gold jewelry back in 2021, and the move has been credited with bringing greater transparency to the gold market. The same is now being extended to silver.

Just as gold buyers began to insist on certified ornaments after hallmarking was enforced, experts believe silver buyers will also prefer certified jewelry, even though the rule is voluntary for now.

What Happens After September 1?

From September 1, customers will still have the freedom of choice—they can buy hallmarked silver or opt for non-hallmarked items. But in practice, hallmarking is likely to dominate as buyers will naturally gravitate toward certified pieces for safety and peace of mind.

For jewelers, adopting hallmarking may soon become essential to maintain customer trust and stay competitive in the market. Over time, this could pave the way for mandatory hallmarking for silver, just as it did for gold.

Conclusion

The introduction of silver hallmarking marks a significant shift in the jewelry industry. While it will remain voluntary at the start, the benefits for both consumers and sellers are clear—greater trust, transparency, and protection from fraud.

As India moves closer to standardized practices in precious metals, silver buyers can expect a safer and more reliable shopping experience beginning September 1, 2025.