Where can people living in villages get the purity of non-hallmarked gold and silver checked?

Checking Gold Purity: Nowadays, questions often arise regarding the purity of gold and silver. Fraudulent practices, such as selling adulterated gold or silver, are not uncommon—especially in remote areas where people may not be aware of how to verify the purity of these metals. Ideally, one should always purchase hallmarked gold, as its purity can be easily verified via a mobile app. However, in villages or smaller towns, local jewelers may sell gold and silver items that lack a hallmark. In such cases, residents can still have these items tested to determine their purity and authenticity. This information was provided by Shyam Nand, the owner of a prominent jewelry store in Delhi.

Get your gold checked by a reputable jeweler in a nearby town.
BIS-recognized hallmarking centers are not available in every village or small town across India. Nevertheless, established jewelers in larger towns or cities near these villages often possess gold-testing machines (XRF machines). These devices can determine the precise purity of gold or silver in just a few seconds, without causing any damage to the jewelry.

Alternatively, if such a machine is unavailable, experienced local goldsmiths may use a 'touchstone' (kasauti patthar)—rubbing the gold against it and applying nitric acid to assess its purity. While this method may not reveal the exact karat of the gold, it can immediately distinguish between genuine and fake items.

Banks or finance companies offering gold loans
If there is a bank or finance company in your village or the surrounding area that offers gold loans, you may be able to have your gold or silver tested there. These institutions employ authorized gold valuers who assess the purity of the metal. Although their primary purpose for testing is to evaluate gold for loan purposes, they may sometimes be willing to verify its purity for a small fee. 

You can get items tested at a BIS-recognized center.
Anyone can take old, non-hallmarked jewelry to a BIS-recognized hallmarking center for testing. By paying a government-mandated fee of approximately ₹45 to ₹50 per item, you can have the purity of the jewelry assessed and obtain a report. It is not a requirement for the jewelry to already bear a hallmark.

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