Odisha Consumers to Benefit from New Digital Silver Hallmarking

Voluntary hallmarking of silver jewellery begins from September 1

Bhubaneswar : The government has announced the introduction of voluntary hallmarking for silver jewellery and articles starting September 1, a move expected to transform the jewellery market and protect consumers across the country, including Odisha. The new system relies on digital identification to ensure that every silver product purchased is genuine and pure.

BIS Revises Standards for Silver Hallmarking

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised its hallmarking rules by publishing IS 2112:2025, replacing the older IS 2112:2014 version. Under the updated system, silver jewellery will carry a hallmark unique identification (HUID), similar to gold. Each silver item will now have a unique code that can be digitally verified, strengthening consumer trust and reducing fraud.

For buyers in Odisha, especially in cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, etc. where silver jewellery and puja articles enjoy high demand, this change is expected to improve transparency in the marketplace.

Verification Through BIS Care App

Consumers can now verify the authenticity of silver items using the BIS Care mobile application. By entering the HUID code, buyers will be able to check details such as the type of article, purity grade, hallmarking date, testing centre, and jeweller’s registration number. Officials believe this step will empower customers and create accountability among jewellers in Odisha’s growing silver market.

Seven Purity Grades Introduced

The revised standards now define seven purity grades for silver—800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999. Among these, grades 958 and 999 have been introduced for the first time. This will give buyers a wider choice of purity levels, while ensuring standardisation across jewellery markets.

The hallmark on silver items will now include three elements: the BIS Standard Mark with the word “SILVER,” the purity grade, and the HUID code. This system replaces the earlier four-part hallmarking process.

Hallmarking Network Expands Across India

Currently, there are around 230 BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centres for silver across 87 districts in India. Many of these are accessible to jewellers and consumers in Odisha, where hallmarking adoption is steadily growing. In 2024–25 alone, over 32 lakh silver articles were hallmarked under the older standard, indicating a robust demand for certified silver.

Officials from BIS highlighted that these changes were finalised after extensive consultations with jewellers, hallmarking centres, and consumer groups on August 7. Following these discussions, Odisha’s jewellery associations also welcomed the move, citing long-standing concerns over adulteration in the silver market.

Awareness Campaigns

To ensure smooth adoption, BIS has launched awareness campaigns through its regional branch offices and social media platforms. In Odisha, officials have begun outreach programs in jewellery hubs such as Cuttack’s Mangalabag and Bhubaneswar’s Bapuji Nagar to educate both shop owners and consumers about the new rules.

Local jewellers believe that the digital hallmarking system will help them earn greater customer trust. “Buyers in Odisha often ask about purity and quality. With HUID-based hallmarking, we can now give them digital proof, which will improve business confidence,” said a jeweller from Bhubaneswar.

Boost for Consumer Rights in Odisha

The government expects that the voluntary hallmarking initiative will bring silver on par with gold in terms of transparency. By adopting digital verification, the new system aims to protect consumer rights and make silver jewellery purchases safer and more reliable.

For Odisha, where silver ornaments are an integral part of festivals, weddings, and religious practices, the new hallmarking rules promise to enhance consumer confidence. Experts also predict that the move could reduce disputes over purity and ensure fair pricing, especially in rural markets where customers are often more vulnerable.

As digital hallmarking gains ground, Odisha is poised to benefit from greater accountability in the jewellery trade and a stronger safeguard for its consumers.