Monday, 12th December 2005 (3799 views)

India's government is taking steps to ensure the quality of gold with an intensive hallmarking upgrade.

It hopes to create a hallmarking and assaying centre in each of the country's districts by 2007, reports India's Economic Times.

At present many areas do not have adequate facilities. For example, in Andra Pradesh only 49 out of 25,000 jewellery shops have hallmarking certification and the quality of the precious metal is also not checked when it is bought to decorate temple deities.

Government minister T Gopala Krishna said he intended to hold a meeting with jewellers to discuss the lack of hallmarking in the state.


If hallmarking facilities are improved throughout the country it is hoped that exports will be bolstered, as without globally linked hallmarking services they are currently subject to hallmarking fees payable in the UK.

Assuring the quality of gold will also be beneficial to consumers as many of them choose to use the precious metal for its investment value, wearing their savings around their necks or depositing them in a safe.

 

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