Every hallmarked gold piece sold in India today carries three small marks. Checking them takes about a minute, and it protects you from paying 22K prices for gold of lower purity.
The three marks on hallmarked gold
Since 1 July 2021, the BIS hallmark on gold jewellery has three parts:
- The BIS Standard Mark: the triangle logo of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
- Purity: the karat and the fineness together, for example 22K916 (916 parts gold in 1,000).
- HUID: a six-character code of letters and numbers that is unique to that piece, such as AB12C3.
The marks are laser-engraved and very small, usually near the clasp, on an earring hook or inside a ring. Ask the jeweller for the 10x magnifying glass. Registered jewellers are required to keep one at the counter.
Pieces hallmarked before July 2021 can carry four marks instead: the BIS mark, the purity, the assaying centre's mark and the jeweller's mark. That was the correct format at the time.
The purity grades you will see
- 24K995: 99.5% gold or more. Mostly coins and bars.
- 23K958: 95.8%.
- 22K916: 91.6%. Most traditional jewellery.
- 20K833: 83.3%.
- 18K750: 75%. Diamond and stone-set pieces.
- 14K585: 58.5%.
- 9K375: 37.5%.
These grades come from the Indian Standard IS 1417:2016. Gold coins and bars are marked by licensed refineries and mints, and often show 999 fineness.
How to verify a HUID in the BIS Care app
- Install BIS CARE, the official app of the Bureau of Indian Standards, on Android or iPhone.
- Open Verify HUID and type the six-character code from the piece.
- Compare what the app shows with the piece and the bill: the purity, the type of article, the jeweller who registered it and the hallmarking centre that tested it.
- For pieces hallmarked since 8 June 2026, the app can also show a photo and the recorded weight. Compare both with the piece in front of you.
If the HUID is not found, or the details do not match, do not buy until the jeweller can explain why.
Where hallmarking is compulsory
Mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery started on 23 June 2021 in 256 districts. It now covers 392 districts, as of the amendment of 3 August 2026. In these districts, registered jewellers may only sell gold jewellery that is hallmarked.
Some items are exempt, including pieces under 2 grams and Kundan, Polki and Jadau jewellery. A jeweller can still have them hallmarked, so it is worth asking.
What your bill must show
BIS guidelines require a registered jeweller's bill to list, for each piece:
- a description of the article
- the net weight of gold
- the purity (karat and fineness)
- the hallmarking charge
The bill must also say that you can get the purity checked at any BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. Keep the bill, with the HUID written on it. You will need it if you sell or exchange the piece later.
A one-minute checklist at the counter
- Find all three marks with the magnifying glass.
- Match the purity mark to the karat on the bill: 22K916 for 22K.
- Verify the HUID in the BIS Care app.
- Watch the piece being weighed. The bill should show the net gold weight separately from any stones.
- Ask for the hallmarking charge to be shown as its own line.
If something is wrong
You can raise a complaint with BIS in the Complaints section of the BIS Care app. You can also have a piece tested at any BIS-recognised hallmarking centre, for a fee.
Before you go to the shop, check today's gold rate and estimate your bill with the bill calculator.
Sources
- Bureau of Indian Standards, Brief on Hallmarking Scheme, updated 1 October 2026
- Bureau of Indian Standards, BIS Care app