Gold Purity: How to Check the Purity of Gold Mentioned in the Invoice
Planning to independently invest in gold jewellery this year? It’s a huge personal milestone that must be approached mindfully. Make sure to verify the purity of gold mentioned on your invoice as a priority. Cross-refer the invoice pointers with the stamped physical hallmarks on your jewellery.
The invoice must explicitly state the exact ‘karatage’ (e.g., 22KT, 18 KT or 14KT), fineness numbers and net weight. You can also verify the digital trace of the gold on the BIS Care App. Discover more about how to test gold purity so you can be sure-footed with your gold purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to check the purity of gold coins?
Checking the purity of a gold coin requires verifying its hallmark certification/using simple physical tests. The most reliable method is searching for the hallmark stamp (like '916' for 22K) and checking the 6-digit alphanumeric HUID code. At Mia, we use a Karatmeter to scan the coin in seconds to prove the purity accuracy.
2. How to check the purity of gold ornaments with physical DIY tests?
Check the purity of gold ornaments at home using easy, non-destructive DIY methods like the magnet test. See if the products contain the relevant base metals. Or, conduct a vinegar test acting as a mild acid check. However, note that these only test if the piece is genuine gold. You cannot verify the exact karat purity through them.
3. Does every gold jewellery piece in India require a HUID code?
Yes, according to BIS guidelines, all hallmarked gold jewellery must have the BIS logo, purity grade and 6-digit HUID code. If your invoice is recent and the jewellery does not have a HUID, question your jeweller why and possibly avoid buying from them again.
4. What happens if my old gold jewellery does not have a HUID code?
Gold jewellery bought before HUID became mandatory may only display the old 4-mark hallmark, which is still valid. However, you can get it re-hallmarked with HUID for easier verification/resale.