Since June 2021, BIS hallmarking is mandatory on all gold jewellery sold in India. It is your legal right as a consumer. Yet millions of women still buy unmarked gold every year — often without knowing the risk they are taking.
Here is how to read a hallmark, what each symbol means, and how to verify your jewellery in 30 seconds using a free app.
The BIS Mark — Bureau of Indian Standards
This triangular logo confirms the jewellery has been tested at a BIS-approved Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. Without this mark, no independent body has verified the piece. This is the first thing to look for on any gold jewellery.
Gold Purity — 22K, 18K, or 14K
22K (stamped 916) = 91.6% pure gold. 18K (stamped 750) = 75% pure gold. 14K (stamped 585) = 58.5% pure gold. In India, traditional jewellery is typically 22K. Diamond jewellery is usually 18K or 14K. Lower karat means more alloy — which affects colour, durability, and resale value.
Hallmark Unique ID — your verification key
Introduced in 2021, the HUID is a 6-character alphanumeric code unique to every hallmarked piece. Enter this code into the BIS Care app (free, iOS and Android) and you will instantly see the registered jeweller, Assaying Centre, and confirmed purity. This is your most powerful verification tool.
"It has a stamp on it, so it is hallmarked."
Many jewellers stamp their own purity marks — these are NOT BIS hallmarks. A private stamp like "SA 22K" or a logo with a karat number has no independent verification behind it. A legal BIS hallmark requires all three: the BIS triangle, the purity mark, and the 6-digit HUID code together.
"Hallmarked jewellery is more expensive."
Hallmarking adds approximately Rs.35 per piece — not a percentage. The cost difference is negligible on any piece worth buying. The real reason some jewellers avoid hallmarking is that it requires independent purity verification. Reluctance to hallmark is a warning sign, not a pricing issue.
"Old family jewellery without a hallmark is still good gold."
Without a hallmark, purity is unverifiable. Older pieces may be exactly what they were sold as — or they may not be. If you want to resell, re-pledge, or redesign old gold, get it tested at a BIS Assaying Centre first. It costs very little and removes all uncertainty.
"I have met women who held family gold for thirty years, assuming it was 22K, only to discover it tested lower. Hallmarking is not bureaucracy — it is the only system standing between you and being deceived about what you own. Learn to use it."Surabhi Agarwal
Download the BIS Care app — free on iOS and Android. Search 'BIS Care' on your app store.
Find the HUID on your piece — a 6-character code on the inside of rings, the clasp of necklaces, or on a tag. Use a magnifying glass or phone camera to zoom in.
Enter the HUID in the app — you will instantly see the registered jeweller and confirmed purity. If the code returns no result, the hallmark may not be genuine.
If you have old jewellery to verify, or are about to buy and want a second opinion on the hallmark, message me.
Ask Surabhi on WhatsApp