Your wedding jewellery may not be as pure or as precious as you think it is. Goldsmiths across India have taken to adulterating the precious metal
with iridium and ruthenium, and are getting away with it, as until recently the metals failed to show up on all purity checks. It's an alchemist's dream, and the practice is becoming increasingly commonplace if you go by the stocks of the 'duplicate' metals at even the smallest of karigar workshops.
Both iridium and ruthenium belong to the platinum family of metals, and when mixed with gold, do not form an alloy but sit tight in the yellow metal. What makes the adulteration even more alarming is that the metals do not replace silver and copper, which are added to the gold during the jewellery-making process to harden the soft, malleable yellow metal. As Saumen Bhaumik, general manager (Retailing) at Tanishq put it, ''The two metals manage to camouflage as gold.''
TOI tested three pieces of jewellery, and all had some amount of either iridium or ruthenium lurking inconspicuously with the gold. A 22-carat gold bangle bought in 2003 from a century-and-a-half-old jeweller—who has since then expanded from Mumbai to other parts of the country—when tested at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, had 3% iridium in it. A gold chain bought from a shop in Bangalore in 2002 when tested at another city-based centre had 2.39% ruthenium, while a pair of earrings from Kerala was found to be adulterated with 4.65% of iridium.
On an average, a piece of jewellery or a bar of gold contains nearly 5-6% of the adulterant, and manufacturers—wholesalers and retailers across India—are aware of how rampant this notorious practice is. Consumers, however, are the biggest losers as they have been kept in the dark. ''Most machine-made jewellery contain these adulterants. Overnight, these manufacturers hit the jackpot,'' said Suresh Hundia, president of The Bombay Bullion Association (BBA).
The situation came to head when several refineries across India noticed that the gold bought from the market, which when melted, contained a high percentage of adulterants. ''Some refineries complained that a blackish substance kept floating in the aqua regia (mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, which can dissolve gold). Moreover, if they bought 1kg of gold, they were losing 50-60gm after refinement. At the time, they didn't know where the rest of the gold was getting lost,'' said a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) official.
The practice was especially rampant between 2004 and 2006, when there were few checks and balances. Traditional jewellers who checked the purity of gold by rubbing it on a touch-stone, said Bhavesh Sonawala from National Refineries Private Limited, ''had no clue about either iridium or ruthenium''. There was also very little awareness on hallmarking. (Hallmark is a purity certification of gold articles in accordance with Indian Standard specifications.) To add to the problem, XRF machines that are used to test the purity of gold were not calibrated to identify iridium and ruthenium. It was only after an alert from the trading community that BIS conducted a survey in markets across the country and found an extensive use of iridium and ruthenium in gold. ''In 2006, we issued a circular to all hallmarking centres to re-calibrate their XRF machines to look for iridium and ruthenium,'' said the BIS official. The results of this survey were never made public. That is when the BBA also started checking for iridium and ruthenium ''So, even hallmarked gold sold between 2001 and 2006 could be of dodgy quality,'' said a member of city-based hallmarking centre.
Several jewellers believe that the damage has already been done. During this period, tonnes of gold had already exchanged hands and consumers were unknowingly investing in 'spurious' jewellery.
By then, the word had spread, and the demand for iridium and ruthenium began to climb. When plotted on a graph, prices of gold, iridium and ruthenium could be seen moving along the same path. For instance, on January 12, 2004, international rate for gold stood at $142.56 for 10gm; the same quantity of iridium was priced at $27.97 and ruthenium at $13.83. In two months, iridium shot up to $73.95 and ruthenium was selling at $21.86—both for 10gm each. All the three metals touched their all time high in February-March 2007; gold was priced at $311.44, iridium was $144.69 and ruthenium was being sold at $273.3.
''This was largely because there was an unprecedented demand for both iridium and ruthenium from all kinds of people dealing in gold across India,'' explained B H Mehta, proprietor of Varsha Bullion and Elemental Analab Hallmarking centre, a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-approved hallmarking centre.
Even now, as per data from the BBA, only 46% of gold sold in India is hallmarked; the percentage is even lower in tier two cities and villages, which make up close to 70% of India's gold consumption. It is paradoxical, but both iridium and ruthenium have now become such high-priced substances that buyers get both these adulterants tested too, just to ensure that the metals are not adulterated with another cheaper substance.
The ultimate list of the world´s most beautiful women
The MySpace phenom scored ratings gold with her bisexual friend requests on MTV’s A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila, now in its second season. It’s as if hot tubs were invented for Tila to make out with other chicks in.
As a child Fergie did voices for Charlie Brown specials. As a big girl she developed absurdly toned abs and found stardom with the Black Eyed Peas and her smash solo debut, The Dutchess. These days she and producer (and fellow Pea) Will.i.am are reportedly stockpiling songs for her sure-to-be-Fergalicious second solo album.
April says: "I´m in school for heart ultrasounds—I want to fix broken hearts."
It’s an escape. Life as you know it doesn’t exist.”
I eat a lot of fried chicken. And I used to go see this show where lasers were projected onto an image of Robert E. Lee and everyone would chug Pabst Blue Ribbon. I´d go there to meet guys. Back then I drove a Ford F-150. When you grow up in Georgia, your car is a truck. I eventually got rid of it because it stalled at every red light and a bunch of rednecks would start shouting at me.
Kingfisher's Special Swimsuit calendar
Full of glamour and visual appeal, the KINGFISHER Swimsuit Special is a rare combination of beauty, lifestyle and fashion. Only a select few worldwide receive a copy of this much-coveted calendar.
Pak textbooks build hate culture against India
The empowerment of terror in Pakistan has not happened overnight. This is the logical culmination of the politics and policies pursued by Pakistan for years now.
Terrorism in Pakistan has its roots in the culture of hate and the ethos of inequality on the ground of religious faith, leading to their being deeply ingrained in the Pakistani psyche and mindset.
One factor that has played a crucial role in creating this culture of hate is the educational policy of the government of Pakistan pursued since 1977. The officially prescribed textbooks, especially for school students, are full of references that promote hate against India in general, and Hindus in particular.
A cursory glance at Pakistani school textbooks - especially the compulsory subjects like Pakistan studies and social studies - gives an idea of how history has been distorted and a garbled version prescribed to build this mindset and attitude.
The objective of Pakistan's education policy has been defined thus in the preface to a Class 6 book: "Social studies have been given special importance in educational policy so that Pakistan's basic ideology assumes the shape of a way of life, its practical enforcement is assured, the concept of social uniformity adopts a practical form and the whole personality of the individual is developed." This statement leaves no doubt that "social uniformity", not national unity, is a part of Pakistan's basic ideology.
The Class 5 book has this original discovery about Hindu help to bring British rule to India: "The British had the objective to take over India and to achieve this, they made Hindus join them and Hindus were very glad to side with the British. After capturing the subcontinent, the British began on the one hand the loot of all things produced in this area, and on the other, in conjunction with Hindus, to greatly suppress the Muslims."
The Std VIII book says, "Their (Muslim saints) teachings dispelled many superstitions of the Hindus and reformed their bad practices. Thereby Hindu religion of the olden times came to an end."
On Indo-Pak wars, the books give detailed descriptions and openly eulogize ‘jihad' and ‘shahadat' and urge students to become ‘mujahids' and martyrs and leave no room for future friendship and cordial relations with India.
According to a Class 5 book, "In 1965, the Pakistani army conquered several areas of India, and when India was on the point of being defeated, she requested the United Nations to arrange a ceasefire. After 1965, India, with the help of Hindus living in East Pakistan, instigated the people living there against the people of West Pakistan, and finally invaded East Pakistan in December 1971. The conspiracy resulted in the separation of East Pakistan from us. All of us should receive military training and be prepared to fight the enemy."
The book prescribed for higher secondary students makes no mention of the uprising in East Pakistan in 1971 or the surrender by more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers. Instead, it claims, "In the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Pakistan armed forces created new records of bravery and the Indian forces were defeated everywhere."
The students of Class 3 are taught that "Muhammad Ali (Jinnah) felt that Hindus wanted to make Muslims their slaves and since he hated slavery, he left the Congress". At another place it says, "The Congress was actually a party of Hindus. Muslims felt that after getting freedom, Hindus would make them their slaves."
And this great historic discovery is taught to Std V students, "Previously, India was part of Pakistan."
Commenting on this literature that spreads hate, leading Pakistani educationist Tariq Rahman wrote, "It is a fact that the textbooks cannot mention Hindus without calling them cunning, scheming, deceptive or something equally insulting. Students are taught and made to believe that Pakistan needs strong and aggressive policies against India or else Pakistan will be annihilated by it."
(The author is a former British Cabinet minister)
Terrorism in Pakistan has its roots in the culture of hate and the ethos of inequality on the ground of religious faith, leading to their being deeply ingrained in the Pakistani psyche and mindset.
One factor that has played a crucial role in creating this culture of hate is the educational policy of the government of Pakistan pursued since 1977. The officially prescribed textbooks, especially for school students, are full of references that promote hate against India in general, and Hindus in particular.
A cursory glance at Pakistani school textbooks - especially the compulsory subjects like Pakistan studies and social studies - gives an idea of how history has been distorted and a garbled version prescribed to build this mindset and attitude.
The objective of Pakistan's education policy has been defined thus in the preface to a Class 6 book: "Social studies have been given special importance in educational policy so that Pakistan's basic ideology assumes the shape of a way of life, its practical enforcement is assured, the concept of social uniformity adopts a practical form and the whole personality of the individual is developed." This statement leaves no doubt that "social uniformity", not national unity, is a part of Pakistan's basic ideology.
The Class 5 book has this original discovery about Hindu help to bring British rule to India: "The British had the objective to take over India and to achieve this, they made Hindus join them and Hindus were very glad to side with the British. After capturing the subcontinent, the British began on the one hand the loot of all things produced in this area, and on the other, in conjunction with Hindus, to greatly suppress the Muslims."
The Std VIII book says, "Their (Muslim saints) teachings dispelled many superstitions of the Hindus and reformed their bad practices. Thereby Hindu religion of the olden times came to an end."
On Indo-Pak wars, the books give detailed descriptions and openly eulogize ‘jihad' and ‘shahadat' and urge students to become ‘mujahids' and martyrs and leave no room for future friendship and cordial relations with India.
According to a Class 5 book, "In 1965, the Pakistani army conquered several areas of India, and when India was on the point of being defeated, she requested the United Nations to arrange a ceasefire. After 1965, India, with the help of Hindus living in East Pakistan, instigated the people living there against the people of West Pakistan, and finally invaded East Pakistan in December 1971. The conspiracy resulted in the separation of East Pakistan from us. All of us should receive military training and be prepared to fight the enemy."
The book prescribed for higher secondary students makes no mention of the uprising in East Pakistan in 1971 or the surrender by more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers. Instead, it claims, "In the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Pakistan armed forces created new records of bravery and the Indian forces were defeated everywhere."
The students of Class 3 are taught that "Muhammad Ali (Jinnah) felt that Hindus wanted to make Muslims their slaves and since he hated slavery, he left the Congress". At another place it says, "The Congress was actually a party of Hindus. Muslims felt that after getting freedom, Hindus would make them their slaves."
And this great historic discovery is taught to Std V students, "Previously, India was part of Pakistan."
Commenting on this literature that spreads hate, leading Pakistani educationist Tariq Rahman wrote, "It is a fact that the textbooks cannot mention Hindus without calling them cunning, scheming, deceptive or something equally insulting. Students are taught and made to believe that Pakistan needs strong and aggressive policies against India or else Pakistan will be annihilated by it."
(The author is a former British Cabinet minister)
Sizzling spicy babe | Sarmi
Well, let me start off by telling you a little bit about myself. I am Sarmi Karati, I was born in a little historical town in West Bengal, India called Murshidabad.
I have just graduated from Bellevue University of Nebrska (Nebraska, USA) on 2006 with major in Computer Science. Currently, I work as a Software Engineer.
Modelling and acting are my passion. Professionally I started my modelling and acting in 2004. When I was at kindergarten, junior high and high school I used to do acting regularly. I can remember my first play was 'Gandha Bichar'- written by Oscar winner Satyajit Ray's father, very famous writer - Sukumar Ray. I played the role as a king. That time I was only 7 years old.
My hobbies include computer, story writing, drawing, cooking and going to the gym.
My entire family is naturally artistic,... so we are indeed blessed. I have been very fortunate in my life and I have learned to have myself by first loving god. And I thank him everyday for the wonderful gifts and opportunities he has bestowed upon me.
I am also very grateful for the very good friends, family that I have in my life and because of them or because of their constant inspiration I am able to continue growing as a person.
Candy is a HOT model from Arizona
Candy Christensen
Arizona State University
AGE: 21
HAIR COLOR: Blonde
HEIGHT: 5ft 9in
WEIGHT: 137
BREAST: 36C
MEASUREMENTS: 36C-27-34
Candy is a Nordic beauty with a love of cookie dough ice cream. She likes spending time with her friends. Candy loves playing volleyball, exercising, rocking out to her music and dancing. Her ambition is to get her degree and open her own business.
She is a HOT BOMB SHELL - Keeley Hazell
According to Keeley her five best points are her laugh, her legs in high heels, her breasts, her generosity and the fact that she's fun to go out with.
Keeley returns for new photos. Keeley loves the sun on her bare body, drinking by the pool and posing for exclusive photos. We love Keeley so much we're bringing you her last two exclusive photo shoots in one bumper gallery of Keeley photos.
HOT Stephanie Seymour upped the ante in White Bikini
It’s official. Someone get Stephanie Seymour a job. She’s in dire straits if she’s gone from bathing suit to bikini in a matter of a day. But don’t help her out just yet. Let’s see if Stephanie’s desperation forces her to take off her top.
Swimming with Tigers
Tigers are known as the best swimmers of all the big cats with modified webbing between their toes to make their feet more like flippers. But The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species, or Tigers, near Miami, claims to have overcome the problem by encouraging both tigers and humans to swim together in a specially adapted pool. Traditionally, trainers have struggled to build an attachment with the largest of the big cats. Despite the apparent danger, the trainers are never at risk. They've found that in the water people and tigers are on a more equal footing. The hand-reared tigers are introduced to the water a few months after birth and the trainers then give one-on-one tuition to each of the animals while they are in the water.
Crazy Popper!
This guy has a lot of skill! No doubt, but I don't know how far he went on the show...
Shay Laren is really HOT in pink lingerie
Shay Laren is an American model and was the model of the Month for June 2006.
Laren was an army brat, growing up on military bases at which her step-father was stationed. She worked in a boutique prior to entering the adult film industry.
Laren was divorced prior to the age of 20; she stated that she told her husband she was getting a divorce during his second tour of duty in Iraq after learning of his affair with a colleague.
She is also known as the "gif girl" from the television show Attack of the Show, during the segment "Women of the Web".
The Indian Cricket superstars
The superstars of Indian Cricket - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan with others traveling together in a recent flight.
Anti-Terror Squad
In case you come across any suspicious activity, any suspicious movement or have any information to tell to the Anti-Terror Squad, please take a
Note of the new ALL INDIA TOLL-FREE Terror Help-line "1090".
Your city's Police or Anti-Terror squad will take action as quickly as possible. Remember that this single number 1090 is valid all over India. This is a toll free number and can be dialed from mobile phones also. Moreover, the identity of the caller will be kept a secret.
Let us make each and every citizen of India aware about this facility.
Please forward this mail to as many people as possible.
Note of the new ALL INDIA TOLL-FREE Terror Help-line "1090".
Your city's Police or Anti-Terror squad will take action as quickly as possible. Remember that this single number 1090 is valid all over India. This is a toll free number and can be dialed from mobile phones also. Moreover, the identity of the caller will be kept a secret.
Let us make each and every citizen of India aware about this facility.
Please forward this mail to as many people as possible.
Beth is a lover of all things wet and wild
Beth Williams
Ohio University
AGE: 21
HAIR COLOR: Brown
HEIGHT: 5ft 9in
WEIGHT: 130
BREAST: 34D
MEASUREMENTS: 34D-25-34
Beth is a lover of all things wet and wild. She loves to be outside and in the water on a hot summer day. Beth says she is a just a tomboy who likes to dress up.
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