The Government has announced that hallmarking, which verifies the purity of gold, will be extended to include 9K gold items for the first time. The range of gold grades eligible for hallmarking now spans eight categories—from 9K to 24K
New Delhi: Consumers shopping for gold jewellery will now have more certified options to choose from — including the increasingly popular 9K gold. The Government recently announced that hallmarking, which verifies the purity of gold, will be extended to include 9K gold items for the first time.
The Government’s approval of hallmarking standards for 9K gold makes it officially part of the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) hallmarking system. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and the rule takes effect from July 2025. With this update, the range of gold grades eligible for hallmarking now spans eight categories—from 9K up to 24K. Jewellers and hallmarking centres must comply with the new regulation July 2025 onwards.
According to BIS, 9K gold must have a minimum fineness of 375 parts per thousand, and will now be subject to the same regulations as other gold categories. This inclusion means even lower-purity gold items, which have gained popularity due to rising gold prices, will be required to display official purity markings. Authorities hope this move will improve market transparency and strengthen consumer confidence, particularly among buyers of more affordable jewellery.
With gold prices at record highs, many shoppers have turned to lighter, more affordable jewellery, especially younger consumers and those looking for budget-friendly pieces. However, until now, these lower-purity options didn’t offer the same assurance of quality as higher-karat gold. The hallmarking requirement on 9K gold aims to ensure that consumers receive what they pay for — reducing the risk of fraud and building trust in entry-level jewellery.
Trade bodies have long pushed for this change, arguing that mandatory hallmarking for 9K gold would make certified jewellery accessible to a wider audience. Their efforts, combined with shifting consumer trends, helped drive the policy update.
The regulation is also expected to boost confidence in modern, affordable options such as lab-grown diamond (LGD) jewellery, often set in 9K gold. With purity assurance in place, these pieces become even more attractive to style-conscious shoppers who don’t want to compromise on trust or design.
The new development will also spur market growth, as more people gain access to trustworthy, lower-karat options, allowing jewellers to expand their offerings and innovate in new styles.
This move continues India’s broader push to standardize and regulate its massive gold jewellery market, following hallmarking mandates introduced for other karat grades in recent years.
Until now, hallmarking in India was permitted only for 24K, 23K, 22K, 20K, 18K, and 14K gold. The BIS hallmark certifies gold’s purity (measured in parts per thousand) and ensures consumer protection under the BIS Act, 2016.
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