Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali. This year, the festival will be observed on November 6th. It is believed to be auspicious to purchase gold and silver on the occasion of Dhanteras; consequently, many people buy jewelry and coins on this day. However, purchasing gold jewelry this Dhanteras might prove more expensive for customers, as the hallmarking fee for gold has been increased by 67%.
For which gold carats will the new fee be applicable?
It is crucial to check for the hallmark when purchasing gold jewelry, as it provides assurance to customers regarding the purity and quality of the gold. The increase in hallmarking charges may impact the price of gold jewellery. The hallmarking system for gold jewellery and artefacts includes 7 carat categories: 9, 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, and 24 carats.
How much has the hallmarking fee increased?
Under the new rules, jewellers are now required to pay Rs 75 to an accredited Assaying and Hallmarking Centre for each gold item. Previously, this fee was Rs 45. In other words, the hallmarking fee has increased by Rs 30, or approximately 67 percent. Furthermore, according to official regulations, a minimum charge of Rs 200 will apply per batch.
Why is hallmarking necessary? In September 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) revised the hallmarking charges for gold and silver items. In accordance with the ‘BIS (Hallmarking) Amendment Rules, 2026’, these changes came into effect on September 14. Hallmarking was made mandatory in June 2021 to ensure the purity and reliability of gold jewellery. Therefore, consumers should prioritize purchasing hallmarked jewellery when buying gold.
