Hallmarking fees for gold purchases on Dhanteras increase by 67 per cent

Consumers wishing to purchase gold during the auspicious festival of Dhanteras this year will have to spend more. A significant increase of 67 per cent has been made in the hallmarking fees applicable to gold jewellery, which will result in an additional burden on the final bill. If you are planning a new collection of gold jewellery this festive season, you may have to pay a higher amount than before.

According to a report by The Economic Times, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) revised the hallmarking charges applicable to gold and silver articles before the commencement of the festive season in September 2026. These changes were notified through the BIS (Hallmarking) Amendment Rules, 2026, and have come into effect from 14 September, 2026.

To enhance the credibility of gold, hallmarking was made mandatory for gold jewellery in June 2021. Currently, the hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery and artifacts includes seven types of caratage, comprising 9K, 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, and 24K. While it is advisable for consumers to purchase only hallmarked gold jewellery, these new rates have increased the cost.

Gold is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Au and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a bright, metallic yellow, dense, soft, and malleable metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal and is one of the noble metals. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements, ranking second after platinum in the reactivity series. Under standard conditions, gold exists in a solid state.