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Old gold exchange: how to check the weight before you trade in
In an old gold exchange, the jeweller pays for the net gold weight, adjusted for purity, at that day’s gold rate, and may deduct refining or melting charges, an August 2026 IIFL Finance guide says [8]. At the 999 rate for 19 October 2026, 0.1 g of 22K916 gold was worth an estimated ₹1,337 before deductions [1, 16]. Check the bill weight, the HUID, the scale’s zero and its stamp first.
The World Gold Council’s October 2026 update on India said old-gold exchange remains an important feature of the market, with jewellers offering incentives to trade old pieces for new ones [1, 2, 3, 15]. Dhanteras falls on 6 November 2026 [1, 11].
What weight does the jeweller pay for when you exchange old gold?
The jeweller pays for net gold weight, which the IIFL Finance guide describes as the weight taken after any stones are removed [8].
A BIS-registered jeweller must keep a suitable weighing balance at the sales outlet, and the invoice for a hallmarked article must show the net precious-metal weight, the purity and the fineness [4].
How do you work out the value of old gold from its weight?
Multiply the net weight by the fineness divided by 1000 (0.916 for 22K916), then by the 999 rate. That gives the value before deductions. With a 22K rate, multiply the net weight by that rate alone, because it already allows for purity. The hallmark fineness is a minimum grade: BIS lists 916 parts per thousand for 22K, 750 for 18K and 585 for 14K [4], so the example is an estimate.
Estimated gold value before deductions ≈ net weight in g × fineness ÷ 1000 × rate per g of 999 gold
Take a 22K916 piece that weighs 20.00 g, with 1.50 g of stones. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association closing benchmark for 999 gold was ₹1,45,944 per 10 g on 19 October 2026, which is ₹14,594.40 a gram [1, 16].
| Step | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gross weight | On the scale | 20.00 g |
| Net gold weight | 20.00 g − 1.50 g of stones | 18.50 g |
| Fine gold, assumed | 18.50 g × 916 ÷ 1000 | 16.946 g |
| Estimated gold value | 16.946 g × ₹14,594.40 | ₹2,47,317 |
The example leaves out the refining or melting charges that the IIFL Finance guide says come off the gold value [8].
How much is 0.1 g worth in an old gold exchange?
In 22K916 jewellery at the 19 October 2026 rate, 0.1 g of gold was worth about ₹1,337 and 0.01 g about ₹134 [1, 16]. A stone deduction that is 0.5 g too high takes about ₹6,684 off the gold value.
| Weight difference | Gold value at 22K916 |
|---|---|
| 0.01 g | ₹134 |
| 0.05 g | ₹668 |
| 0.10 g | ₹1,337 |
| 0.50 g | ₹6,684 |
| 1.00 g | ₹13,368 |
How do you check the weight before you hand over old gold?
- Find the net precious-metal weight on the original bill, which an invoice for a hallmarked article must show [4]. Compare it with a fresh net weight, the gross weight less any stones and other non-gold parts.
- Read the hallmark with a magnifier. Since 1 July 2021 it has three marks: the BIS Standard Mark, the purity in carat and fineness, and a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID [4, 5]. Pieces hallmarked before July 2021 carry no HUID [4]. Gold articles under 2 g are exempt from mandatory hallmarking, so small earrings may carry no HUID [4].
- Enter the HUID in Verify HUID on the BIS Care app [5]. BIS says automatic weight capture of hallmarked gold articles was deployed from 8 June 2026, for checking before sale [4]. Where shown, the app labels that figure Gross Weight [17]. Compare it with a fresh gross weight, stones included, allowing for later alterations or wear.
- Watch the scale read zero with the pan empty, then weigh each piece on its own with the windshield doors shut.
- Look for the Legal Metrology stamp. Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 requires a scale used in a sale to be verified before use [9], and Rule 27(2)(c) of the 2011 Rules sets 12 months for every weight or measure not listed in clauses (a) and (b), which covers an electronic scale [10]. Our stamping guide shows a verification certificate.
- Ask for the gross weight, each deduction and the net weight in writing before you agree.
If you doubt the purity, you can get hallmarked jewellery tested at any BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. BIS gave the testing charge as ₹200 in October 2024 [5]. A test report from such a centre is also useful when you want to sell the jewellery, PIB said in March 2022 [7].
Which HSCo scale fits a jewellery exchange counter?
The Hindustan Scale Company (HSCo) JEWE2002 and JEWE2000 read to 10 mg, sit under a draft shield and come government stamped. The Gold Density Scale adds a purity check by density before you melt anything.
JEWE2002 Jewellery Scale with Glass Windshield: weighs up to 2,000 g in 10 mg steps on a 125 mm stainless pan, with a glass windshield, green LED display, piece counting and adjustable legs. Government stamped [12].- JEWE2000 Jewellery Weighing Scale: 2,000 g or 3,000 g × 10 mg, 125 mm stainless pan, clear draft shield, separate external indicator, carat and gram units. Government stamped [13].
- Gold Density Scale: tests karat and purity by density (Archimedes’ principle), with a density kit and glass draft shield, 300 g × 1 mg or 1,200 g × 10 mg, and RS232 for a PC and printer [14].
More scales are on our jewellery scale page. The JEWE2002 and JEWE2000 pages list government stamping [12, 13]; check the due date on the verification certificate. Tell us what your counter weighs: call +91-7045922250 or write to hsc@hindustanscale.com.
Frequently asked questions
How is old gold value calculated in an exchange?
Old gold exchange value starts from the net gold weight, taken after stones are removed, valued for purity at the day’s gold rate, less any refining or melting charges, as an August 2026 IIFL Finance guide sets out [8]. A 22K rate already allows for purity. At ₹1,45,944 per 10 g of 999 gold on 19 October 2026, 18.50 g of 22K916 gold was worth an estimated ₹2,47,317 before deductions [1, 16].
Does the BIS Care app show the weight of my gold jewellery?
Verify HUID in the BIS Care app shows the jeweller’s registration number, the hallmarking centre, the article type, the date of hallmarking and the purity [6]. BIS says automatic weight capture of hallmarked gold articles was deployed from 8 June 2026 and is on the BIS Care app [4]. Where shown, the app labels that figure Gross Weight [17]. Compare it with a fresh gross weight, stones included, allowing for later alterations or wear.
Can I get old gold tested for purity before I exchange it?
Yes. A consumer can get gold jewellery tested at any BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, which issues a test report [5, 7]. BIS gave the charge for testing hallmarked jewellery as ₹200 in October 2024 [5]. PIB said in March 2022 that the report also helps an owner who wants to sell the gold jewellery [7].
Must a jeweller’s scale be government stamped?
Yes. Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 requires a weight or measure used in a transaction to be verified before use [9]. An electronic jewellery scale falls under Rule 27(2)(c) of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, which sets 12 months for every weight or measure not listed in clauses (a) and (b) [10].
Sources
- EconoTimes, “Indian Gold Prices Stay Rangebound Ahead of Dhanteras, Council Says” (econotimes.com, 20 October 2026). Reports the World Gold Council’s October India update and IBJA benchmarks for 19 October 2026
- Upstox, “5 things happening in the gold market ahead of Diwali and Dhanteras 2026, as per WGC” (upstox.com, 25 October 2026). Reports the World Gold Council update Seasonal demand shows early strength
- Business Today, “Jewellers bet on festive cheer to spark gold demand despite sharp import dip” (businesstoday.in, 23 October 2026).
- Bureau of Indian Standards, “Brief on Hallmarking Scheme, updated as on 01 October 2026” (bis.gov.in).
- Press Information Bureau, “This Dhanteras, Buy Smart: Trust BIS Hallmark for Purity” (pib.gov.in, 28 October 2024).
- Press Information Bureau, “Over 40 crore gold jewellery items hallmarked so far; fourth phase of Mandatory Hallmarking begins from November 5, 2024” (pib.gov.in, 14 November 2024).
- Press Information Bureau, “Consumers can get un-hallmarked jewellery tested at Assaying and Hallmarking Centres” (pib.gov.in, 11 March 2022).
- IIFL Finance, “Old Gold Exchange Rate: How It Works and What the Owner Actually Gets” (iifl.com, 17 August 2026).
- India Code, “The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, Section 24” (indiacode.nic.in). Act No. 1 of 2010, as published on India Code; Section 24 text also at advocatekhoj.com
- Legal Metrology Department, Meghalaya, “The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, Rule 27” (megweights.gov.in).
- Drik Panchang, “2026 Dhantrayodashi | Dhanteras Puja Date and Timings for New Delhi, NCT, India” (drikpanchang.com). Gives Friday 6 November 2026 for Dhanteras
- Hindustan Scale Company, “JEWE2002 Jewellery Scale with Glass Windshield, 2 kg × 10 mg” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “JEWE2000 Jewellery Weighing Scale, 2 kg / 3 kg × 10 mg, External Indicator” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “Gold Density Scale, Karat and Purity Testing, 300 g × 1 mg / 1,200 g × 10 mg” (hindustanscale.com).
- World Gold Council, “India gold market update: Seasonal demand shows early strength” (gold.org, 20 October 2026).
- India Bullion and Jewellers Association, “Daily opening and closing market rate” (ibjarates.com, 19 October 2026). Gold 999 PM rate 145944 per 10 g on 19 October 2026
- Bureau of Indian Standards, “BIS Care App, version history (version 4.19: Renamed Weight to Gross Weight in article details)” (apps.apple.com, 1 September 2026). App Store listing of the official BIS Care app; release notes for version 4.19