New Delhi, April 19 -- Nearly one in three consumers in India report being cheated when buying silver items, with a large majority urging the government to mandate hallmarking, reflecting rising concerns about quality and consumer protection in the segment. According to a survey by LocalCircles, 31% of respondents who purchased silver jewellery or articles in the past five years said they had been duped, while 93% backed compulsory hallmarking to guarantee purity and authenticity.

The findings come at a time when silver demand is rising sharply, especially ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, a festival traditionally linked to buying precious metal, when customers typically purchase silver items such as coins.

In 2026, demand for silver jewellery ...