How to Read a Jewellery Invoice Line by Line

The invoice is the single most useful document you receive when you buy jewellery. It is your record for exchange, insurance, warranty and any later question about what you bought. Many people glance at the total and fold it away. Spending two minutes on the lines is worth it.

The seller details

At the top you should see the shop's name, address and GSTIN, the invoice number and date, and your name and contact details. If you ever need to raise an issue or make a claim, these identify the sale.

The item description

Each piece should be described clearly: the type of article (ring, pendant, earrings), the metal and purity, and a design or product code. Vague descriptions such as "gold item" make later disputes harder.

Weights

Look for these:

• Gross weight: the total weight of the piece including stones.
• Stone weight: the weight of stones, often in carats, which can be converted to grams.
• Net weight: the weight of the metal. The gold value is calculated from this.

The relationship is simple: gross weight minus stone weight gives net weight. Check that the sums work.

Purity and HUID

The purity (for example 18K750) should be on the bill, along with the HUID for each hallmarked article. Compare them with the marks on the piece. See what a HUID is and how to verify your jewellery.

The gold rate and gold value

The bill should show the rate used per gram for that purity and the resulting gold value, which is net weight multiplied by that rate. If the rate is missing, you cannot check the arithmetic.

Making charges and wastage

Making should appear as its own line. If wastage is charged, that should be visible too. Learn how they differ in gold making charges explained and what wastage is.

Stone details

For diamonds, a good bill lists the number of stones, the total carat weight and the quality grades such as colour and clarity, or refers to a certificate by number. For a solitaire, the certificate number and the laboratory should be on the bill or attached to it.

Discounts

If a discount applies, it should be shown as a line and its effect should be clear. Ask whether it applies to gold, making or stones, because that affects what you recover if you later exchange the piece.

Tax

GST should be shown for each component at the applicable rate. For the usual rates and what to expect, read GST on gold and diamond jewellery explained.

Terms and conditions

The small print covers return and exchange terms, buy-back or exchange policy and any warranty or service. Read it before you pay, not after.

A quick audit in five checks

1. Do net weight, purity and rate multiply to the gold value shown?
2. Is every stone described?
3. Is the HUID the same as on the piece?
4. Is tax shown line by line?
5. Do the line totals add up to the final amount?

Keep it safe

Keep the invoice with the certificate and the box. We explain what to keep in what to keep with your jewellery: invoice, certificate and box. If you would like to go through a real bill with someone before you buy, book an appointment, or open a necklace page on our site to see an itemised breakup.