New Delhi: While Diwali is bringing a lot of gold and silver jewellery sales to India, emeralds and diamonds appear to be overshadowed.
Though silver and gold jewellery are basically the same, silver jewellery is frequently blended with alloys to make it more vivacious and durable. Nevertheless, some jewellers use inferior metals or metal scraps in silver jewellery to mislead customers, and thus the customers become suspicious of whether they will be fooled by the festival of lights.
Experts explain that one of the most common methods of alloying silver is to connect it with copper, which makes it durable for everyday use. On the other hand, by using more and more cheap metals in their products, some traders degrade the quality of the metal and also bring about the quick tarnishing of their products. In the case of a 100-gram silver anklet, 92.5% of pure silver is the standard that represents the industry, i.e., 92.5 grams of pure silver, and the rest, 7.5 grams, is alloys for strength. However, in local markets, some jewellers go as far as selling silver as low as 80% without even informing their customers about it.
To help themselves against such practices, experts recommend that consumers must first look for hallmarks certified by authorised bodies that assure quality and authenticity.
While Diwali shopping has just started, it is of utmost importance to be able to spot silver from fakes and alloys. The jeweller who is accountable for a hallmarked piece must write the number 925 or the BIS mark on it, which confirms 92.5% purity. Buyers can also do silver tests at home: real silver is a good conductor of heat, and hence, ice will start melting faster. They can also do the magnet test; silver can not be attracted by magnets. On the other hand, numerous fakes can be attracted by magnets. Besides, consumers facing silver jewellery with the six-digit HUID number (Hallmark Unique Identification) can be certain that their item has been certified by an authorised hallmarking centre and made their shopping tension-free.
While people are visiting retailers for silver anklets and other trinkets to brighten up their festival, they should not forget the threat that is lurking around. Giving importance to hallmarked pieces and simple tests are tactics consumers can use to protect themselves; thus, their Diwali buying will be as sparkly as their festival and unsoiled by adulteration.