Understand Making Charges
Making charges, also known as labour charges, are the costs of designing and crafting raw gold into a piece of jewellery. They can significantly increase the final price and typically range from 8% to over 25% of the gold's value. Jewellers calculate
these charges in two main ways: as a percentage of the gold's value or as a flat rate per gram of gold. While machine-made jewellery often has lower making charges (as low as 3-8%), intricate, handcrafted designs command much higher rates. Always ask the jeweller how they calculate these charges and don't hesitate to negotiate, especially on high-value purchases. During festive seasons, many jewellers offer discounts on making charges, so it pays to compare offers.
Insist on BIS Hallmarking with HUID
To ensure you are getting the purity you are paying for, always buy hallmarked jewellery. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark is a mark of purity and authenticity. Since 2023, it is mandatory for hallmarked gold to have a sixndcharacter alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number. This code is like a unique ID for your jewellery, linking it to the assaying centre where it was certified. A complete hallmark consists of three signs: the BIS logo, the purity grade (e.g., 22K916 for 22ndcarat gold), and the HUID number. You can instantly verify the HUID using the 'BIS Care' mobile app to confirm the jeweller's details, purity, and the type of article.
