As gold prices zoom, TN sees surge in fake hallmark jewellery
BIS conducts inspections at 8,580 jewellery shops across state over 2 years, seizing approximately 21.21 kg of jewellery with fake hallmarks
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has uncovered a widespread issue of fake hallmark jewellery across Tamil Nadu.
Between January 2023 and April 2025, the BIS conducted inspections at 8,580 jewellery shops across the state's 38 districts, seizing approximately 21.21 kg of jewellery with fake hallmarks.
The fake hallmark jewellery were valued at Rs 19.27 crore, revealed a Right to Information (RTI) Act query.
Authenticity verification
The BIS has repeatedly cautioned consumers to verify the authenticity of gold jewellery, emphasising that they should purchase only hallmarked jewellery with a unique HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number. There are government regulations in this regard.
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Hallmarking ensures the purity of gold, typically certified as 24, 22, or 18 carats. Despite these regulations, complaints have surged about shops selling substandard jewellery under the guise of "916 gold" through enticing advertisements.
The BIS operates three regional offices in Tamil Nadu, in Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore. The reply to an RTI query provided a detailed breakdown of the inspections.
Region-wise inspection
Chennai region: Covering 12 districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Cuddalore, the BIS inspected 2,434 jewellery shops. Following 27 complaints, 6.54 kg of fake hallmarked jewellery was seized. Chennai city alone reported the highest number of complaints (8) and inspections (1,011), making it the epicenter of the issue.
Madurai region: Spanning 19 districts, including Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, 3,974 shops were inspected. Significant seizures included 3.88 kg in Theni district and 10.79 kg in Pudukkottai district, highlighting the scale of the problem in these areas.
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Coimbatore Region: Covering seven districts, including Coimbatore, Salem, and Erode, 2,172 shops were inspected. Notably, no fake hallmark jewellery was seized in this region, indicating better compliance or fewer violations.
In total, 21.21 kg of jewellery, either bearing fake hallmarks or lacking proper hallmarking, was confiscated across the state. Violators face stringent penalties, including up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, followed by potential legal action.
Consumer advisory
BIS officials urge consumers to ensure that purchased jewellery is hallmarked with a valid HUID number. To aid verification, BIS has introduced the BIS CARE App, where buyers can input the HUID number to confirm the authenticity of their gold jewellery.
As the demand for gold continues to rise in Tamil Nadu, the surge in fake hallmark jewellery underscores the need for vigilance.
Also read: India's gold demand falls 15 pc in Jan-Mar to 118.1 tonnes on high prices: WGC
Consumers are advised to buy only from reputable jewellers and verify hallmark authenticity to safeguard their investments. For any doubts, the BIS CARE App offers a quick and reliable solution to ensure the gold you buy is as valuable as its shine.
