The Hindu Business Line : Lack of hallmarking centres a major problem: Jewellers

Industry & Economy - Gems & Jewellery
Marketing - Standards & Benchmarks
States - Tamil Nadu
Lack of hallmarking centres a major problem: Jewellers

Our Bureau

Chennai, Dec. 20 Mandatory hallmarking of jewellery will be implemented from January 1, 2008. However, lack of ‘assaying’ centres for hallmarking in four metros will be a major problem for the trade, according to Mr Anant Padmanabhan, Chairman, Membership and Marketing Committee, Gem and Jewellery Federation.

There are only 25 hallmarking centres in four metros, but the need is for at least 560. There are 21,176 retail traders in the four metros, but only 21 hallmarking centres, he noted.

“We are not opposing hallmarking. But, with lack of assaying centres we cannot support and sustain any mandatory hallmarking,” he said.

There are over three lakh traders, including large players, involved in gem and jewellery.

The trade is likely to import around 1,000 tonnes of gold this fiscal (850 tonnes in last year) for making jewelleries, he said.

Mr Padmanabhan said for the last six months the federation unsuccessfully took up the issue with the Government.

The federation will again approach the Consumer Affairs Ministry for a solution. It will also ask its members to paste stickers in showrooms to educate consumers on the problem faced by the trade. Closure of shops will be the last option, he said.

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