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Buying gold jewellery without knowing how to check hallmarks can lead to costly mistakes, as you might pay for purity but receive something fake or impure. Hallmarking gold ensures you get what you pay for, backed by BIS standards that confirm the gold’s authenticity and purity.
Recognising a 24-Karat gold hallmark or identifying genuine BIS symbols can help you avoid fraud and ensure legal compliance. You’ll also know if the hallmark gold price today reflects the actual value of the jewellery. By understanding gold hallmarks and how to verify them, you protect your money and make safer purchases.
Gold hallmarking is a government-certified process that confirms the purity and authenticity of gold jewellery. It helps you know exactly what you are paying for and protects you from fake or low-quality products. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is responsible for hallmarking gold and ensuring that each piece meets strict national standards.
Since June 2021, BIS hallmarking is mandatory for many categories of gold jewellery and artefacts sold in India. This requirement helps ensure that buyers receive jewellery with verified purity and accurate fineness markings. By promoting transparency and traceability, hallmarking strengthens consumer confidence and helps reduce the risk of misrepresentation in the gold market.
Gold hallmarking in India follows BIS rules, and jewellers must get most gold jewellery tested and marked at a BIS-recognised centre before sale. Hallmarking became mandatory on 16 June 2021, and HUID marking began on 1 July 2021.
Technicians test the gold’s fineness using non-destructive methods such as XRF analysis. This confirms the karat before any marking. To learn more, Check Gold Purity.
A BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre tests jewellery and applies the official marks. Jewellers cannot certify their own pieces; this step happens at these centres.
You can check any HUID on the BIS Care App. After testing, the centre generates a unique six-digit alphanumeric HUID for each piece and records it in the BIS system.
The centre then laser-inscribes the BIS logo, purity mark, and HUID onto each piece. Laser marking leaves a clear, permanent stamp that stays readable with regular wear.
Understanding hallmark details helps you verify if your gold jewellery is genuine and worth its price. Here are the key components you should always look for:
This is a triangular symbol that confirms your jewellery has been tested and certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards for quality and purity.
This mark shows the gold’s fineness, such as 22K916 or 24-Karat gold hallmark, which tells you how much pure gold the piece contains.
The Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) is a six-digit alphanumeric code that tracks each gold item and ensures full traceability.
Read more about the HUID Number.
Many pieces also carry the jeweller’s or manufacturer’s mark, showing who made or sold the item. It is optional now, since the HUID already links the piece to its jeweller.
These marks are usually stamped on hidden parts of the jewellery, like the inner side of a ring or bangle clasp.
Knowing gold purity marks helps you understand the true value and strength of your jewellery. Here are the most common marks and what they mean:
24K999 means the gold is 99.9% pure and is often used for coins or investment-grade items
22K916 contains 91.6% pure gold and is commonly used for making traditional Indian jewellery
18K750 has 75% pure gold, making it strong and suitable for modern or daily wear designs
14K585 includes 58.5% pure gold and is a durable, budget-friendly choice for lightweight and fashion jewellery
Gold is typically alloyed with other metals like copper or silver to improve strength, shape, and wear resistance
22K916 means the gold is 22 karat and 91.6% pure. It is commonly used for traditional Indian jewellery. Check the 22K gold rate before you buy.
18K750 means the piece is 18 karat and contains 75% pure gold. The added alloys make it strong, so it suits daily wear. See the 18K gold rate.
14K585 means the piece is 14 karat and contains 58.5% pure gold. It is durable and budget-friendly, which suits lightweight jewellery. Track the 14K gold rate.
Karat measures purity out of 24 parts, while fineness measures it out of 1,000. Both show how much pure gold a piece contains.
22K = 916 fineness
18K = 750 fineness
14K = 585 fineness
Gold hallmarks come in two formats: the older five-mark format and the newer three-mark HUID format. Here is how they compare:
Old format: BIS logo, purity mark, assaying centre mark, year mark, and jeweller’s mark
New format: BIS logo, purity mark, and six-digit HUID
Older hallmarks showed five marks: the BIS logo, purity mark, assaying centre mark, year-of-marking letter, and jeweller’s mark. They carried no unique code to trace each piece.
Hallmarks show the BIS logo, purity mark, and a six-digit alphanumeric HUID. The HUID makes every piece traceable and verifiable through the BIS Care App.
The new format replaces the assaying centre mark, year letter, and jeweller’s mark with one unique HUID. Verification becomes easier because you can check details online instead of decoding letters. Here is how the two formats differ:
Number of marks: The old format carried five marks, while the new format carries three.
Traceability: Old hallmarks had no unique code, so you could not trace an individual piece. Every new hallmark has a HUID linked to the BIS record.
Verification: Old marks needed a jeweller or expert to read them. With the new format, you can enter the HUID in the BIS Care App and check the details yourself.
Information shown: Old marks used letters to show the year and centre. The HUID lets you view the karat, jeweller, and hallmarking centre online.
Verifying hallmarks protects you from buying fake or low-quality gold jewellery. Here are the steps you should follow:
Check for the BIS logo, which is a small triangle symbol stamped on the jewellery
Look for the purity mark that shows the karat and fineness, such as 22K916 or 24-Karat gold hallmark
Find the HUID, a unique six-digit alphanumeric code stamped on each piece
Open the BIS Care App and enter the HUID to check if the hallmark is genuine
Confirm all three marks are present and clearly visible before making a purchase
Look for the small triangular BIS logo on the jewellery. Use a magnifier if needed. A missing or blurred logo is a warning sign, so ask the jeweller to explain.
Find the purity mark, such as 22K916 or 18K750. Make sure it matches the karat the jeweller quoted and the purity printed on your bill.
Read the six-digit alphanumeric HUID stamped on the piece. Every hallmarked item has its own code, so two different pieces should never share one.
Enter the HUID in the BIS Care App to view details such as karat, jeweller, and hallmarking centre. Confirm that they match what the seller told you.
Compare the karat, weight, and HUID on the jewellery with your invoice. Any mismatch is a reason to pause the purchase and ask for clarification.
Unhallmarked gold is not automatically fake, but you cannot confirm its purity without testing. Get it tested at a BIS-recognised centre before you buy, sell, or pledge it.
Yes. A BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre can test old or unhallmarked gold jewellery and determine its purity, karatage, and fineness. This can help if you plan to sell, exchange, or pledge the jewellery. Home testing methods may provide only an indication of purity and should not be considered a reliable substitute for professional testing.
Visit a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, or ask a BIS-certified jeweller to send the piece there. BIS publishes the list of recognised centres.
Insist on hallmarked jewellery, check all three marks, and verify the HUID on the BIS Care App. Ask for a bill that lists purity and hallmark details before you pay.
Assaying measures the exact gold content in a piece. Common methods include:
XRF analysis: Non-destructive and fast
Touchstone test: Compares acid reactions with known karats
Fire assay: Highly accurate, but destroys the piece
Assaying is the scientific analysis of a metal’s composition. For gold, it confirms the karat and fineness so the piece can be certified accurately.
Setting up a hallmarking centre needs BIS recognition and testing equipment, so costs vary widely. These centres test purity, apply the laser hallmark, and record each HUID.
Centres can test unhallmarked jewellery using XRF or other methods. Avoid acid tests at home, as they can damage the piece and give unreliable results.
Hallmarking gives you confidence that the gold you buy is pure, safe, and worth your money. Here are the key reasons why hallmarking is important:
Hallmarking confirms the gold’s purity level so you know exactly what you are buying and wearing is genuine and certified.
It protects you from fraud by ensuring the gold matches the quality claimed by the seller.
Hallmarking provides information about the purity of gold jewellery. Each hallmarked gold item carries a unique HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number, which can be used to verify the jewellery's hallmark details. This helps distinguish the stated purity, such as 22K or 18K, from the purity recorded in the hallmarking system.
Hallmarked gold is easier to sell because buyers and jewellers trust its certified purity and quality.
Banks and NBFCs accept hallmarked gold as reliable collateral when offering gold loans.
Knowing your gold is hallmarked gives you peace of mind and helps you avoid fake or impure products.
Many people think all gold jewellery is pure just because it looks shiny or comes from a known shop. However, without a proper hallmark, you can’t be sure of its purity. Some also believe that hallmarking gold is optional, but in India, it is mandatory for most gold jewellery sold today. This rule helps protect you from fraud and ensures fair pricing based on purity. Believing these myths can lead to overpaying or buying fake items. When you understand the truth about gold hallmarks, you can shop smarter and avoid expensive mistakes.
Following simple checks can help you avoid fake jewellery and ensure you're getting full value for your money. Here are the tips you should always follow:
For more advice, read our Gold Buying Tips guide.
Always purchase from BIS-certified jewellers who follow official rules and provide properly hallmarked jewellery.
Ask for a detailed invoice that clearly mentions the gold's purity, weight, and hallmark details.
Check for the BIS logo, purity mark, and HUID, then use the BIS Care App to confirm the jewellery is genuine.
Track the hallmark gold price today so you can compare it with seller rates and make a smart purchase.
Look closely at hidden areas, like inner bands or clasps, where hallmarks are usually stamped.
Recognising gold hallmarks is essential for ensuring the authenticity and purity of your jewellery. By understanding hallmarking, you protect your investment and gain peace of mind. Always look for the BIS logo, purity mark, and HUID when buying gold. Use the BIS Care App to verify these details. Stay informed about hallmarking gold standards and the hallmark gold price today to make smart purchasing decisions.
The three mandatory marks are the BIS logo, the purity mark (such as 22K916), and a six-digit alphanumeric HUID. Together, they indicate hallmark certification, purity, and traceability.
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. It is a unique six-digit alphanumeric code assigned to each hallmarked jewellery article, allowing consumers to verify its authenticity through the BIS system.
Open the BIS Care App and select the ‘Verify HUID’ option. Enter the six-digit HUID to view details such as the jewellery's purity, jeweller information, and hallmarking centre details. Compare these details with your purchase invoice.
22K916 gold contains 91.6% pure gold, while 18K750 gold contains 75% pure gold. Due to its higher gold content, 22K gold is commonly preferred for traditional jewellery, whereas 18K gold is generally more durable and often used for daily-wear and gemstone jewellery.
Look for the BIS logo, purity mark, and HUID on the jewellery. Verify the HUID using the BIS Care App and ensure the details match the purchase invoice. It is also advisable to buy from a BIS-registered jeweller and retain the invoice for future reference.
Yes. The BIS Care App allows consumers to verify hallmarked jewellery by entering the HUID and checking the associated purity and hallmarking details.
If you already own the jewellery, you can have its purity tested at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. When purchasing new jewellery, choose a hallmarked article from a BIS-registered jeweller.
Yes. BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres can test old jewellery and determine its purity and fineness, even if it is not hallmarked.
A hallmark refers to the complete set of mandatory BIS markings, including the BIS logo, purity mark, and HUID. The purity mark is one component of the hallmark and indicates the gold's karatage and fineness.
No. Under the current HUID-based hallmarking system, the mandatory marks are the BIS logo, the purity mark, and the HUID. The HUID links the jewellery to the jeweller and hallmarking records maintained by BIS.
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