While buying jewellery, the concern over the quality of gold has always troubled you. Not any more.

The government has made it mandatory for all jewellers to get pure gold jewellery hallmarked by assaying centres approved by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS).

Though the new ruling may take some time to get implemented due to 'logistics' issues, once in force, it will ensure that consumers do not get fleeced by unscrupulous jewellers. At present, hallmarking of gold jewellery is optional.

"The implementation of this policy will ensure a common benchmark of quality across the industry, which is locally and internationally recognised," says Ajay Mitra, managing director, India and Middle East, World Gold Council.

According to Satish Chand Singhvi, president of the Delhi Jewellers' Association, the jewellers will incur a cost on hallmarking, which they may pass on to consumers.

Though the cost of hallmarking a piece of jewellery is Rs 18, the cost of transportation to and from the BIS centres and the initial registration costs (around Rs 28,000 in Delhi) may force jewellers to increase prices.

Jewellers in small cities without a BIS-approved hallmarking centre will have to bear a transportation cost as well. At present, there are 168 BIS-approved assaying and hallmarking centres in the country.