There is growing concern regarding the counterfeit silver in India. Several individuals purchase silver coins and ornaments for various reasons such as investments, gifts, or religious offerings. Notably, however, not all silver found in the market is genuine.

In a recent incident at the Vaishno Devi Temple, the problem of counterfeit silver in the Indian economy became clear to all parties involved. This incident highlights the need for every customer to be vigilant during purchases of silver.

1. The Vaishno Devi Silver Scam

Devotees at the Vaishno Devi Temple regularly donate silver coins. In time, the Temple Trust accumulated close to 20 tonnes of silver coins.

Upon valuation, it was expected that the silver would fetch ₹500 crore. To everyone's shock,

The actual value came down to just ₹30 crore.

The reason?

Only about 5–6% of the coins were real silver, while the rest were made from low-value metals like cadmium and iron alloys.

This incident revealed that many people were unknowingly buying fake silver from local sellers.

2. Why Fake Silver Is Increasing

Fake silver products are increasing in the market because of:

• Negligence on behalf of consumers

• The emotional purchase made by tourists or devotees

• The deceptive names of products

• The unverified nature of sellers in the locality

3. How to Identify Real Silver Coins

1. Check for the Purity Mark.

• Always look out for “999” marks, indicating purity to 99.9%. This signifies pure silver and makes it ideal for investing.
  
  

2. BIS Hallmark is a Must

The hallmark features:

• BIS Hallmark logo
• 999 or 925 purity mark
• ID of jeweller
• HUID number (6 digits)

This number can be checked through the BIS Care app.

3. Beware of Misleading Names

Be wary of such coins called

• German Silver
• Nickel Silver
• EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver)
• Silver Plated.

All these contain no silver.

4. Basic Tests at Home

You can perform some home tests:

• Magnet Test – does not stick to magnets
• Ice test – ice melts quickly due to conductivity
• Cloth test—rubbing with a white cloth results in a black mark (oxidation).
  
  

5. Always Ask for an Invoice

• Never buy any silver without an invoice. The seller is supposed to have all the information about HUID.
  
  

6. No Impulsive Purchasing

• Avoid buying silver products hurriedly from temples, tourist places, or shops. Take your own time for verifying.
  
  

4. Why the Importance of Selecting the Right Seller Cannot Be Overstated

The sure way of not falling victim to any fake silver frauds is by buying your silver products from a reputable and transparent seller.

The benefits of a reputable brand include:

• Pure metal

• Suitable hallmarking

• Transparent pricing structure

• Genuine silver products

5. Kesardeep – A Reputable Brand for Authentic Silver

When it comes to buying silver products such as coins or even investments, it would be wise to choose a reputed brand such as Kesardeep.

What can be expected from Kesardeep as a reputable brand?

• Authentic silver products

• BIS Hallmarking

• Honest pricing

• Loyalty from customers

Conclusion

As demonstrated by the incident at Vaishno Devi, it is necessary to remain vigilant, even when making faith-based purchases. However, it is worth noting that fake silver is becoming quite common. Nevertheless, it is possible to safeguard yourself against such frauds.