BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmarking is the government's guarantee of gold purity in India. Since June 2021, hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery sold by registered jewellers in notified districts.
The hallmark consists of three elements: the BIS logo (a triangle), the purity grade (999 for 24K, 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K), and a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number.
The HUID number is the game-changer. Each piece of jewellery gets a unique HUID that can be verified online at the BIS website (bis.gov.in) or the BIS Care app. This eliminates the possibility of fake hallmarks and ensures traceability.
Common purity grades and what they mean: 999 (24 karat, 99.9% pure gold — used for coins and bars), 916 (22 karat, 91.6% pure — the standard for Indian wedding jewellery), 750 (18 karat, 75% pure — used for daily-wear and diamond settings), and 585 (14 karat, 58.5% pure — common in fashion jewellery).
Before buying, always check: Is the jeweller BIS-registered? Does the piece have the BIS logo? Can you read the HUID number clearly? Verify the HUID on the BIS website/app before paying. If any of these checks fail, do not purchase.
What about old jewellery? Jewellery bought before mandatory hallmarking can still be sold and exchanged. However, you may get a slightly lower valuation since the purity cannot be guaranteed without hallmarking. Voluntary hallmarking of existing jewellery is available at BIS-recognized assaying centres.
Hallmarking charges are minimal — around ₹45 per article — and are included in the purchase price. This small cost provides significant protection against adulteration and ensures you get exactly the purity you pay for.