KDM gold is not allowed in India primarily due to significant health and environmental concerns associated with its manufacturing process. The use of cadmium, a highly toxic metal, in KDM gold poses severe risks to human health and the environment.
Understanding KDM Gold
KDM gold refers to gold jewellery where cadmium was used as an alloy to join gold pieces. The term "KDM" originates from the chemical symbol for cadmium (Cd) and "Karat" gold, implying an alloy of gold with cadmium. Cadmium has a low melting point, making it an efficient solder for jewellery making, especially for intricate designs. It allowed jewellers to achieve strong joints in gold with a purity of up to 92%, making the gold durable and allowing for higher purity in the final product compared to traditional soldering methods that might use lower purity gold.
The Ban and Its Reasons
The ban on KDM gold in India, enforced by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), stems from critical health and environmental issues:
- Hazardous Nature of Cadmium: Cadmium is classified as a heavy metal and is extremely toxic. During the jewellery manufacturing process, jewellers and artisans are exposed to cadmium fumes when melting the alloy. Prolonged inhalation of these fumes can lead to serious health problems.
- Severe Health Issues: Exposure to cadmium can cause a range of debilitating conditions, including:
- Respiratory problems (e.g., lung damage)
- Kidney damage
- Bone diseases (e.g., Itai-Itai disease)
- Neurological damage
- Potential for cancer (cadmium is a known carcinogen).
- Environmental Impact: The disposal of cadmium-containing waste from jewellery workshops can contaminate soil and water, posing long-term environmental hazards. Cadmium can persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain.
The ban was a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of artisans and consumers, as well as promoting environmentally responsible practices in the gold industry.
Safer Alternatives to KDM Gold
Following the ban on KDM gold, the Indian jewellery industry has largely transitioned to safer and more transparent methods for gold purity and soldering. The most prominent alternative is BIS Hallmarked Gold.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmarking system provides assurance of gold purity. Instead of cadmium, BIS-certified gold typically uses safer alloys like zinc, copper, or silver for soldering, which are less toxic and pose fewer health risks during manufacturing and use.
| Feature | KDM Gold (Banned) | BIS Hallmarked Gold (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| Solder Alloy | Cadmium | Safer alloys like zinc, copper, or silver |
| Health Risk | High (toxic fumes, severe health issues) | Low (safer for artisans and consumers) |
| Purity | Often claimed 92% (for 92% gold + 8% cadmium) | Certified purity (e.g., 91.6% for 22K) via hallmarking |
| Legality | Banned in India | Legal and regulated |
| Trust | Questionable due to health risks and lack of regulation | High, backed by government standards and testing |
Consumers are advised to always opt for BIS Hallmarked gold jewellery to ensure purity, safety, and authenticity. Look for the BIS logo, the purity in karat and fineness, the assaying centre's mark, and the jeweller's identification mark on the jewellery.
Impact on the Gold Market and Consumers
The ban on KDM gold has led to increased awareness among consumers about gold purity and safety. It has pushed the jewellery industry towards more ethical and sustainable practices. For consumers, purchasing BIS Hallmarked gold provides peace of mind regarding the quality and safety of their investment.
