9 Carat Gold Jewellery Hallmark BIS: In a major move to expand options for consumers amid soaring gold prices, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has officially included 9-carat gold under hallmarking regulations. The approval came via Amendment No. 2 – July 2025 to IS 1417:2016, which governs the fineness and marking of gold jewellery and artefacts.
With this update, 9K gold, which denotes a purity of 375 parts per thousand, joins the list of officially recognised and hallmarkable gold purities. Until now, hallmarking was available for purities ranging from 14K to 24K, but the growing demand for lower-carat, affordable jewellery has prompted the regulatory change.
The updated list of hallmarking grades now includes:
- 24KF (999)
- 24KS (995)
- 23K (958)
- 22K (916)
- 20K (833)
- 18K (750)
- 14K (585)
- 9K (375)
This decision is particularly relevant at a time when gold prices have crossed ₹1 lakh per 10 grams, pushing affordability out of reach for many buyers. The inclusion of 9K jewellery is expected to provide some relief to budget-conscious consumers. However, traditional buyers may still prefer higher purity ornaments for their inherent gold value and resale advantages.
The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) welcomed the move, stating:
“Glad to note that BIS has accepted the IBJA request to include 9 kt also for gold hallmarking. BIS has now published the amendment to IS 1417:2016, adding 9 Kt into the 9 permitted karatages. However, IBJA is coordinating with BIS to incorporate 9K hallmarking in BIS Manak so that it is immediately possible for hallmarking agencies to hallmark 9K for jewellers.”
The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) also issued an advisory to jewellers:
“As per BIS Amendment No. 2 dated July 2025 to IS 1417:2016, 9 Karat gold (minimum fineness 375 ppt) has been officially included under mandatory hallmarking. All jewellers and hallmarking centres must ensure compliance with this new requirement.”
Relief Amid Soaring Gold Prices
With gold prices crossing ₹1 lakh per 10 grams, the inclusion of 9K gold — typically more affordable — may offer relief to cost-sensitive consumers. Over the years, price-sensitive buying patterns have shifted preferences from traditional 22KT gold to 18KT and 14KT. The addition of 9KT provides another option, particularly for lightweight fashion jewellery.
India, the world’s second-largest gold consumer, demands between 700 to 1,000 tonnes of gold annually. As demand diversifies, jewellers are adapting by offering more karatage options to cater to various price points and customer needs.
BIS Expands Hallmarking Network
The new 9K category joins the BIS hallmarking ecosystem that has already seen rapid expansion under its HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) system. Since its launch, over 40 crore gold jewellery items have been hallmarked. The number of registered jewellers has surged from 34,647 to 1,94,039, and the Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) have increased from 945 to 1,622.
BIS CARE App Empowers Consumers
Consumers can verify hallmark details through the BIS CARE app, which provides:
- Jeweller’s registration information
- Assaying and hallmarking centre details
- Type of article, hallmarking date, and metal purity
- Facility to file quality-related complaints or report misuse of BIS marks
The BIS CARE app is available on the Play Store, enabling greater transparency and consumer protection in the gold jewellery sector.
With 9K gold now officially recognised, the industry expects a new segment of jewellery products to enter the market, offering more variety and affordability to Indian consumers.
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Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and reflects the views of industry experts. Before making any investment decisions, it is recommended that you consult a financial advisor. The team at Gold Price Today does not engage in personal buying, selling, or trading of gold or silver on exchanges. We are not responsible for any gains or losses incurred based on the information presented here.
