Understanding Gold Purity: KDM vs BIS Standards

When purchasing gold jewelry in India, understanding purity standards is crucial to ensure you're getting what you pay for. Two common terms you might encounter are KDM and BIS hallmarking. This article explains the differences between these standards and why BIS hallmarking has become the industry benchmark for gold purity certification in India.

What is KDM Gold?

KDM stands for 'Kadmium,' which refers to an alloy of gold that contains 92% gold and 8% cadmium. This mixture was popular in the past because cadmium has a lower melting point than gold, making it easier to work with during the jewelry-making process. The term '92% gold' corresponds to 22 karat gold.

However, research has shown that cadmium can be harmful to human health with prolonged exposure. It can cause respiratory issues, kidney damage, and other health problems. Due to these health concerns, the use of cadmium in jewelry making has been largely discontinued and is now banned in many countries, including India.

Traditional gold jewelry pieces that would have been marked with purity standards.

The BIS Hallmarking System

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced the hallmarking system in 2000 to standardize gold purity certification across India. BIS hallmarking is a quality certification that confirms the purity of gold as per international standards. A BIS hallmarked gold item carries several marks:

• BIS Mark: The logo of the Bureau of Indian Standards
• Purity Grade: Indicates the fineness of gold (e.g., 916 for 22 karat, 958 for 23 karat)
• Assay Center's Mark: Identification of the center that tested and certified the gold
• Jeweler's Identification Mark: The unique mark of the jeweler or manufacturer
• Year of Marking: Indicated by a letter code

The most common BIS standard for gold in India is '916,' which indicates 91.6% pure gold or 22 karat. This has replaced the KDM standard and is now the legally recognized certification for gold purity in the country.

Why BIS Hallmarking Matters

BIS hallmarking provides several benefits to consumers:

• Assurance of Purity: It guarantees that the gold meets the specified purity standards
• Consumer Protection: It protects buyers from under-caratage
• Standardization: It ensures uniformity in gold quality across the country
• Resale Value: Hallmarked jewelry typically has better resale value
• Health Safety: Unlike KDM, BIS standards prohibit the use of harmful metals like cadmium

Since June 2021, hallmarking has become mandatory for gold jewelry and artifacts in India, making it illegal to sell non-hallmarked gold jewelry above 2 grams.

A jeweler examining BIS hallmark on gold jewelry.

How to Verify BIS Hallmarking

When purchasing gold jewelry, always check for the BIS hallmark. You can verify the authenticity of the hallmark by:

• Examining the jewelry under a magnifying glass to see all the required marks
• Asking for a certificate of authenticity from the jeweler
• Using the BIS Care app to scan the hallmark and verify its authenticity
• Visiting a certified assaying center if you have doubts about the purity

At Swarn Shikhar, all our gold jewelry is BIS hallmarked, ensuring that you receive only the finest quality gold that meets international standards of purity. We believe in complete transparency and encourage our customers to verify the hallmarking on all purchases.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between KDM and BIS standards is essential for making informed gold purchases. While KDM was once common, BIS hallmarking has now become the gold standard for purity certification in India. Always look for the BIS hallmark when buying gold jewelry to ensure you're getting authentic, pure gold that's safe to wear and will retain its value over time.

If you have any questions about gold purity or hallmarking, our jewelry experts at Swarn Shikhar are always available to assist you. We're committed to providing you with the highest quality gold jewelry that meets all regulatory standards.