National News
GJC celebrates 25 years of gold hallmarking in India with felicitation of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
In a momentous occasion for India’s jewellery sector, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) marked 25 years since the introduction of gold hallmarking in India with a grand celebration and felicitation ceremony honoring Pralhad Joshi, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Minister of New & Renewable Energy at GJS 2025
The event served not only as a tribute to the journey of hallmarking in India but also as a platform to chart an ambitious roadmap for the future, with a strong focus on expanding hallmarking coverage and fostering technological innovation.
In recognition of his continued support and instrumental role in advancing hallmarking reforms, Pralhad Joshi was felicitated by GJC for his leadership in steering policies that balance consumer protection with industry development. His ministry’s efforts, in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), have been central to enhancing transparency and quality assurance in the jewellery sector.
In his address, Shri Joshi reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening consumer trust while also simplifying compliance for jewellers. He emphasized the hallmarking system as a critical trust-building mechanism and a significant step toward formalizing and modernizing the Indian gold market.
One of the most significant announcements of the event was a joint goal set by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, BIS, and the jewellery industry: to expand mandatory gold hallmarking to 500 districts across India by the end of this financial year.
This expansion aligns with the broader objective of ensuring uniform quality standards nationwide, preventing consumer fraud, and integrating small and medium jewellers into the formal economy. GJC pledged its full support to assist local jewellers in meeting compliance standards and making hallmarking services accessible, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
In a groundbreaking move to stimulate innovation in hallmarking technology, GJC and BIS jointly announced the launch of a Hackathon aimed at developing a non-destructive testing (NDT) method for hallmarking gold.
This initiative seeks to address a long-standing concern within the industry: the challenge of verifying hallmark authenticity without damaging the piece of jewellery. Currently, traditional methods often involve partial damage or alteration during testing, which discourages on-the-spot verification by consumers and retailers.
The hackathon is open to startups, research institutions, technologists, and innovators across India and will offer funding and incubation support to viable solutions. A successful NDT mechanism would be a game-changer for quality assurance, enabling real-time, damage-free hallmark authentication across retail outlets, trade shows, and even by consumers themselves.
The celebration of 25 years of hallmarking is a testament to India’s evolution into a more structured and credible jewellery market. From its early stages to now becoming an integral part of the industry’s value chain, hallmarking has grown into a symbol of trust, quality, and consumer empowerment.
With the government, BIS, and GJC joining hands to drive expansion and innovation, the next phase of hallmarking promises to be more inclusive, tech-enabled, and consumer-centric than ever before. The GJC’s proactive role in bridging policy, practice, and innovation reinforces its commitment to nurturing a responsible, transparent, and globally competitive jewellery sector in India.
National News
A Tiny Hallmark Number, A Gold Bangle, and A Remarkable Reunion With Malabar Gold & Diamonds
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Traces Rightful Owner Through HUID-Enabled Records, Reinforcing Trust, Transparency and Customer-First Practices
Losing a valuable piece of gold jewellery is often accompanied by the fear that it may never be recovered. Beyond its monetary worth, jewellery frequently carries deep emotional significance, representing family memories, milestones and cherished moments that are impossible to replace.
In a heartwarming incident that underscores the power of trust, transparency and technology in modern jewellery retail, a bangle was recently reunited with its rightful owner, thanks to the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system and the robust customer record management processes followed by Malabar Gold & Diamonds.
The journey of the lost bangle back to their rightful owner began when a member of the public handed them over to a local jewellery establishment after finding them. During the verification process, the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number engraved on the jewellery was identified and examined.
Through the BIS hallmarking ecosystem, it was established that this jewellery had originally been hallmarked for Malabar Gold & Diamonds. The information was subsequently shared with Malabar’s HUID and technical teams, which leveraged the company’s technology-enabled record management and traceability systems to identify the original point of sale and trace the customer.
The customer, who is currently residing in the United States, was subsequently informed that her jewellery had been safely recovered. Given her overseas location, arrangements were made for her mother in India to collect the bangle on her behalf from the Malabar showroom.
This incident highlights how technology is increasingly enabling responsible jewellery practices and enhancing customer trust. At Malabar Gold & Diamonds, investments in digital record management, traceability systems and customer-centric processes help strengthen transparency and accountability across the jewellery ownership journey. By combining the assurance of hallmarking with robust technology-enabled systems, the company is able to offer customers greater confidence, security and peace of mind long after a purchase has been made.
Commenting on the incident, Mr. M. P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group, said:

“At Malabar Gold & Diamonds, trust is the foundation of every customer relationship. While jewellery is often valued for its purity and craftsmanship, it also carries deep personal significance and cherished memories. This incident demonstrates how responsible retailing, transparent processes and technology-enabled traceability can come together to protect customer interests beyond the point of purchase.”
“Technology is increasingly becoming an enabler of trust in the jewellery industry. Our investments in traceability, customer record management and technology-enabled processes are aimed at creating a more transparent and secure ownership experience for customers. This incident is a powerful example of how these systems can help protect customer interests and reinforce confidence in the brand.”
“The Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system, coupled with our robust record management processes, enabled us to trace the rightful owner and facilitate the safe return of the jewellery. We are delighted that the bangle has been reunited with their owner and family, reaffirming our commitment to customer-first practices, transparency and accountability.”
Expressing her gratitude, Miss. Murugesan, said:
“When I realised the bangle was missing, I thought they were gone forever. Receiving a call from Malabar informing me that they had traced and secured them came as a complete surprise. The bangle is not just valuable jewellery; they hold precious memories for my family. I am deeply grateful to the Malabar team for their honesty, professionalism and efforts in ensuring they were returned to us. Knowing that such systems and processes exist gives customers tremendous confidence and peace of mind.”
As the world’s fourth largest jewellery retailer, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has consistently championed transparency, ethical business practices and customer-centric innovation. The company continues to invest in systems and processes that enhance traceability, strengthen customer confidence and uphold the highest standards of accountability across the jewellery ownership journey.
For one family, the recovery of the lost jewellery marked the return of a cherished possession. For the wider jewellery industry, it serves as a powerful reminder that when trust, transparency and technology work together, even the smallest hallmark can help bring priceless memories back home.
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