Hallmarks and certificates: what to look for when buying jewellery

Why they matter

Fine jewellery is a significant purchase, and the metal and stones cannot be judged by eye. Hallmarks and certificates are the independent proof of what you are buying.

Reading a gold hallmark

In India, gold jewellery is hallmarked under the Bureau of Indian Standards scheme. A hallmark shows the BIS mark, the purity grade of the gold, and a unique six-character alphanumeric code that identifies the piece. Look for these marks on the inside of a ring or bangle, or on the clasp or tag of a chain.

Diamond grading reports

A grading report from an independent laboratory records a diamond's cut, colour, clarity and carat weight, and often includes a diagram of its inclusions and a unique report number. It lets you compare stones fairly and confirms that a diamond is what it is described to be.

Questions to ask before you buy

• Is the gold hallmarked, and at what purity?
• Is there a grading report for the diamond, and from which laboratory?
• What are the metal weight and stone weight?
• What is the return and warranty policy?

Keep your paperwork

Keep the invoice, hallmark details and any grading report together. They are useful for insurance, for servicing and, one day, for resale or inheritance.