Complete Guide to Hallmark Certification in India 2026

If you've ever bought gold jewellery in India and wondered whether you received exactly what you paid for, you're asking the right question.

BIS hallmarking is India's answer to that question — a legally mandated quality stamp that guarantees the purity of every piece of gold sold by a certified jeweller.

This guide explains everything you need to know, from reading the tiny marks on your bangle to using government apps to verify authenticity in the shop itself.

What is BIS Hallmarking? The Foundation of Trust

BIS hallmarking is a third-party certification system operated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India's national standards body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

When a jeweller sends gold jewellery to an accredited Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC), the piece is chemically tested for purity.

If it meets the declared standard, it receives a permanent stamp — the hallmark — confirming what you're paying for.

The system has roots going back to 2000, when BIS launched voluntary hallmarking.

But the real watershed moment came on 16 June 2021, when the Government of India made hallmarking mandatory for gold jewellery and artefacts above a certain threshold.

As of 2024, mandatory hallmarking covers all gold articles of 14K (585), 18K (750), and 22K (916) purity.

Before mandatory hallmarking, studies found that a significant proportion of gold sold in Indian retail stores had lower purity than claimed.

Jewellers would declare 22K but sell 20K, pocketing the difference silently.

Hallmarking eliminates this by introducing a government-backed, laboratory-tested third party into every transaction.

The Four-Part HUID Hallmark System (Post-2021)

Since July 2021, India has moved to a new hallmark format based on a six-character alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification Number).

Every piece hallmarked from this date carries just two marks on the metal:

1. BIS Logo (Triangle Mark)

The BIS logo — a triangle with the letters "BIS" inside — is the first mark. It confirms that the jewellery was tested at a BIS-accredited centre.

Without this mark, no other stamp means anything.

Counterfeit hallmarks without the genuine BIS triangle do exist; a magnifying glass and the BIS Care app can confirm authenticity.

2. Purity/Fineness Number

Stamped alongside the BIS logo is a three-digit number indicating the purity in parts per thousand:

3. Six-Character HUID Code

The most important addition in the new system is the six-character alphanumeric HUID — for example, AZ4B3C.

This code is unique to each individual piece of jewellery (not just the batch).

It's laser-engraved, registered in the BIS database at the time of hallmarking, and can be verified online or via the BIS Care mobile app.

Think of it as an Aadhaar number for your gold piece.

4. Jeweller's Identification (Optional but Common)

Many jewellers add their own maker's mark — a registered BIS code identifying their establishment.

This is optional under the new system but useful if you ever need to trace the piece back to the seller.

How to Read a Hallmark: A Practical Walkthrough

Most hallmarks are tiny — stamped on an inconspicuous part of the piece (inside a bangle, on the clasp of a necklace, on the inner shank of a ring). Here's how to read them:

1. Look for the BIS triangle — it's the gold standard mark. If it's absent, the piece is not officially hallmarked.
2. Read the purity number — 916 means 22K, 750 means 18K, etc. If a jeweller tells you "this is 22K gold" but the stamp says 875, you're looking at 21K.
3. Find the HUID — a six-character code. Note it down or photograph it.
4. Verify the HUID on the BIS Care app — more on this below.

Tip: Carry a small jeweller's loupe (10× magnification) when shopping for expensive pieces.

Reputable jewellers won't mind — in fact, they'll welcome the scrutiny as it demonstrates the hallmark is genuine.

The BIS Care App: Your Verification Superpower

The Indian government has made verification accessible to every smartphone user. The BIS Care app (available on both Android and iOS) lets you:

• Enter a HUID and instantly see the registered purity, jeweller name, hallmarking centre, and date of hallmarking
• Report non-hallmarked or fraudulent jewellery to BIS
• Find nearby accredited Assaying and Hallmarking Centres
• Verify BIS licences of jewellers

This is transformative. Before 2021, a consumer had no way to independently verify a hallmark in the store.

Now, you can verify a ₹5 lakh necklace in 30 seconds without any equipment beyond your phone.

If the HUID returns no result or shows a different purity than what's stamped, walk away and report it.

Mandatory vs Voluntary Hallmarking: What's Covered

As of 2024, mandatory hallmarking applies to:

• All gold jewellery and artefacts of 14K, 18K, and 22K sold by jewellers registered with BIS
• Jewellers with annual turnover above ₹40 lakh (in most districts)

Exemptions include:

• Gold sold for export purposes
• Antique jewellery (more than 50 years old)
• Very small-scale rural artisans below the turnover threshold
• Jewellery ordered for special purposes under government schemes (e.g., Rashtriya Swarna Yojana)

Silver hallmarking is currently voluntary, though BIS has announced phased mandatory coverage.

When buying silver, look for 925 (sterling silver, 92.5% pure) or 999 (fine silver) stamps alongside the BIS mark if available.

Hallmarking vs Certification for Diamond Jewellery

This is a critical distinction many buyers miss. BIS hallmarking certifies the metal (gold purity).

It says nothing about the diamonds or gemstones set in the piece.

For diamond-set jewellery:

• The gold/platinum mounting should carry a hallmark (750 for 18K gold, 950 for platinum)
• The diamonds need a separate grading certificate from a recognised gemological laboratory: GIA (Gemological Institute of America), IGI (International Gemological Institute), or HRD Antwerp for India-purchased diamonds
• The certificate specifies the 4Cs: Carat weight, Cut grade, Colour grade, Clarity grade

Always ask for both documents when buying diamond jewellery. A hallmark without a diamond certificate is incomplete consumer protection.

Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs): The Testing Infrastructure

India has over 1,400 BIS-accredited Assaying and Hallmarking Centres across the country as of 2024. Jewellers must send their gold pieces to these centres before selling them.

The process:

1. Jeweller submits pieces to the AHC with declared karat
2. AHC technicians test purity using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry or fire assay methods
3. If purity matches the declaration (within BIS tolerance limits), the HUID is generated, registered in the national database, and the piece is stamped
4. Pieces that fail testing are returned — the jeweller cannot legally sell them with a hallmark

BIS conducts surprise inspections of both AHCs and retail jewellers. Violations attract fines up to ₹1 lakh and/or imprisonment under the BIS Act 2016.

Common Hallmark Frauds and How to Spot Them

Despite the system's strength, some fraudulent practices still occur:

Fake HUID Codes

A seller may stamp a false six-character code on unhallmarked jewellery hoping the buyer won't verify.

Always verify every HUID on the BIS Care app — if the code returns an error or mismatched details, it's fraudulent.

Outdated Pre-2021 Stamps

Some jewellers still show older-style hallmarks (four-part stamp with jeweller's logo, year letter, and purity) as equivalent to the new system.

The old system was voluntary and less rigorous. If buying new jewellery today, insist on the new HUID-format hallmark.

Swapped Pieces

A rare but documented fraud: the jeweller shows you a hallmarked sample piece, then delivers a similar-looking but different (unhallmarked or lower purity) piece.

Always verify the HUID of the exact piece you're taking home — not the display sample.

Surface Plating

Low-purity gold plated with a thin layer of higher-purity gold can sometimes fool superficial testing.

Legitimate AHC testing methods penetrate the surface, but illegal roadside "gold testing" using acid drops or low-quality XRF machines may not.

Never rely on informal tests; rely only on BIS hallmarks.

Hallmarking and Resale Value

One of the most tangible financial benefits of hallmarked jewellery is its resale value. When you sell or exchange gold:

• Hallmarked jewellery is assessed at the stamped purity — no negotiation, no dispute
• Unhallmarked jewellery is melted and tested before valuation — you'll almost always receive less than market rate
• Banks accepting gold as loan collateral (gold loans) prefer or require hallmarked jewellery for higher loan-to-value ratios
• Online gold buyers (Caratlane, Malabar, etc.) offer better buyback rates for HUID-verified pieces

Over a 10–15 year holding period, the difference in resale value between hallmarked and non-hallmarked gold can amount to 5–10% of the piece's value — a significant sum on high-value jewellery.

Hallmarking Charges: Who Pays and How Much

Hallmarking charges are typically borne by the jeweller, not the consumer.

The fee varies by AHC location and piece size, but is generally ₹35–₹45 per piece for standard jewellery.

For pieces requiring multiple HUID stamps (e.g., a necklace where each pendant is separately stamped), the charge is per stamp.

Jewellers who claim they need to charge you extra for "hallmarking" are either factoring it into their making charges (which is fine) or using it as an excuse for higher margins.

Ask for an itemised bill — hallmarking is a cost of compliance, not a luxury add-on.

Questions to Ask Your Jeweller Before Buying

Use this checklist the next time you visit a jewellery showroom:

1. Is this piece BIS hallmarked with a HUID code? (Mandatory for new gold jewellery)
2. Can I verify the HUID on the BIS Care app before I purchase?
3. What is the making charge per gram, and is it fixed or negotiable?
4. Do you offer lifetime buyback or exchange at the current gold rate?
5. For diamond jewellery: can I see the GIA/IGI certificate?
6. Is your store registered with BIS? (Can be verified on the BIS portal)

A reputable jeweller will answer all six questions without hesitation. Hesitation, deflection, or irritation at the question is itself a warning sign.

How JewellersinCity Helps You Buy Hallmarked Gold

Every jeweller listed and verified on JewellersinCity is checked for BIS registration status.

When you see a "Verified" badge on a listing, it means the store has been confirmed as a BIS-registered hallmarking-compliant seller.

You can also filter stores by "Hallmark Certified" in our search to find only jewellers who stock exclusively hallmarked jewellery.

We believe trust in jewellery begins with transparency — knowing exactly what you're paying for.

Use our platform to find a certified jeweller near you, compare gold rates in your city, and make your purchase with complete confidence.

Key Takeaways

• BIS hallmarking is mandatory for 14K, 18K, and 22K gold jewellery sold in India since June 2021
• The new HUID system assigns a unique six-character code to every piece — verifiable on the BIS Care app
• Always verify the HUID of the exact piece you're buying, not just the display sample
• Hallmarked jewellery commands better resale value and higher gold loan ratios
• For diamond jewellery, hallmarking covers the metal — diamonds need a separate GIA/IGI certificate
• If a HUID returns no result on the BIS app, the hallmark is fraudulent — report it and walk away