With Record Gold Prices, Government Hallmarking Returns to the Forefront as the First Line of Defense Against Fraud

Amid record highs in gold prices and a growing appetite for the precious metal as a safe investment, government hallmarking has returned to the spotlight as the consumer’s first line of defense against fraud and misrepresentation of purity. With renewed concerns about the spread of non-compliant or counterfeit gold jewelry, many are asking how to verify the official hallmark and why it is so crucial.

What is the Hallmark?

The hallmark is an official stamp placed by the Egyptian Assay and Weights Authority, which operates under the Ministry of Supply, on every gold item before it is released to the market. This hallmark represents a state-certified guarantee of the purity and compliance of the item with standard specifications. All pieces are tested with precision equipment before being approved for trading.

How Can Consumers Verify?

Visual Inspection: The hallmark is usually stamped in a visible spot on the item, in the form of numbers indicating purity (18 – 21 – 24).

Official Invoice: Customers must obtain a stamped invoice from the jeweler, including the weight, karat, workmanship cost, and the merchant’s name.

Registered Shops: Buying only from stores accredited by the General Division of Gold and Jewelry.

Official Testing: If in doubt, buyers can take the piece to the Assay Authority for re-testing and confirmation.

Hallmarking as Protection and Trust

Consumer Protection: Ensures the buyer gets the karat purity they paid for.

Combating Fraud: Prevents attempts to sell low-purity gold as 18K or 21K.

Boosting Confidence: Hallmarking enhances market transparency and encourages investors to buy gold as a guaranteed-value asset.

From Traditional Stamps to Laser Hallmarking

While traditional hallmarking remains in use, the Ministry of Supply is rolling out laser hallmarking as a transformative step for the market. This modern system allows each piece of gold to be engraved with precise details, including its karat, a unique identification number, and an entry into a digital database that enables traceability from the manufacturer to the consumer.

According to former Minister of Supply Dr. Ali Moselhy, this initiative means “every gold item will carry an electronic birth certificate, preventing forgery and protecting both the consumer and the merchant.”

The coding and laser hallmarking system assigns a serial number to each gold item, storing key details such as the manufacturer’s name, place and date of hallmarking, karat purity, and weight.

Expert Opinions

Experts and traders stress that hallmarking is not a mere formality, but a cornerstone of market integrity. Any gold piece lacking an official hallmark loses significant value—most traders refuse to handle such items, rendering them practically “dead” commercially. With the introduction of laser hallmarking, experts expect fraud cases to decline sharply and public trust in gold as an investment to grow stronger.

Between the traditional hallmark Egyptians have known for decades and the new laser technology now being gradually introduced, the government hallmark remains the ultimate stamp of trust—safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring transparency in the gold market. With soaring prices and rising demand, knowing how to verify hallmarking is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for protecting savings and ensuring safe, sustainable investment.