The Hallmarking Department of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Headquarters, in association with the Bureau of Indian Standards, organised a Silver Jewellers’ Meet at CJ Palazzio Hotel on February 13, 2026.
Around 60–65 participants, including members of the Silver Jewellers Association, silver jewellery manufacturers, retailers, and Silver Assaying & Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) from Salem district, took part in the programme. Office-bearers and members of the association from Madurai also attended the meet.
The programme aimed to discuss the challenges faced by silver manufacturers, retailers, and testing centres, and to deliberate on uniform standardisation of grades across the industry to safeguard consumer interests.
As part of the visit, the entire BIS team along with members of the Silver Manufacturers’ Association toured several silver jewellery manufacturing units in Salem district to gain hands-on experience and understand the practical challenges faced at various stages of production.
Smt. G. Bhavani, Scientist F & Head, BIS Coimbatore, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of the meet, the history of the Silver Hallmarking Scheme in India, and the significance of hallmarking in ensuring quality assurance.
The inaugural address was delivered by Smt. Chitra Gupta, Scientist-G & Deputy Director General (Hallmarking), BIS. She elaborated on the necessity of silver hallmarking and the current scenario of silver manufacturing in India.
Guest of Honour Shri A.S. Sriram, Former President of THJC, and Shri Udayakumar, President, Silver Manufacturers, Salem, spoke about the difficulties faced by silver manufacturers and welcomed the move towards standardisation of silver grades similar to gold.
Smt. Nisha Bura, Scientist E & Head, Hallmarking, BIS, and Shri Chandan Rao, Scientist C, Hallmarking Department, made detailed presentations on the current scenario of silver hallmarking, assaying procedures and methods, fineness grades, solder grades, recent changes in hallmarking regulations, and the introduction of HUID in silver.
Key topics covered during the meet included the current scenario of silver hallmarking, guidelines on jewellery registration procedures, assaying methods, fineness and solder grades, and the implementation of Silver HUID marking.
An open discussion session was held at the end of the programme, during which participants raised several queries that were addressed in detail. Suggestions and feedback received were noted for further review.
The programme was well received and appreciated by the participants. The vote of thanks was proposed by Shri V. Ramesh, Director, BIS, who thanked the Silver Jewellery Association members, manufacturers, AHCs, and the BIS team for their active participation and valuable inputs towards improving silver standardisation and consumer protection.