To check if gold jewellery is real in India, look for the three-part BIS hallmark (the BIS logo, a purity grade such as 22K916 and a six-character HUID code), then enter that HUID in the free BIS CARE app before you pay. The app shows the jeweller, the hallmarking centre and the article type registered against that code. With Dhanteras on 6 November 2026, this two-minute check is worth doing at the counter.
- What the BIS hallmark on gold looks like
- Gold purity grades you will see in India
- How to verify HUID on the BIS CARE app
- Where hallmarking is mandatory in 2026
- What to check on the bill
- What to do if the gold fails the purity test
- What about silver?
- A quick checklist at the jewellery counter
- Frequently asked questions
What the BIS hallmark on gold looks like
Since June 2021, every hallmarked gold piece has carried a three-part mark, usually laser-engraved on the inside of a ring or bangle or near the clasp of a chain. You may need a magnifier to read it.
| Mark | What it shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
| BIS standard mark | A triangle logo that confirms the piece was tested at a BIS-recognised centre | BIS triangle |
| Purity grade | Carat and fineness (parts per thousand) | 22K916 |
| HUID | Six-character alphanumeric code unique to that one piece | AB1234 (sample) |
Older pieces hallmarked before June 2021 carry a four-part mark (BIS logo, purity, assaying centre mark and jeweller mark) and no HUID. These marks are still genuine; they just cannot be checked on the app.
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Gold purity grades you will see in India
As of March 2026, hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery in six grades: 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24 carat. A 9 carat grade also exists under the Indian Standard but is voluntary.
- 24K999: 99.9% pure, mostly coins and bars
- 22K916: 91.6% pure, the most common grade for Indian jewellery
- 18K750: 75% pure, used for diamond and stone-set pieces
- 14K585: 58.5% pure, lighter everyday and fashion jewellery
Make sure the purity on the hallmark matches the purity on your bill. If you are paying the 22 carat rate, the piece should read 22K916.
How to verify HUID on the BIS CARE app
- Install the official BIS CARE app from the Play Store or App Store and sign in with your mobile number.
- Tap Verify HUID.
- Type the six-character code exactly as engraved on the piece.
- Read the result. It shows the type of article, its purity, the jeweller’s registration details and the assaying and hallmarking centre that tested it.
- Match each detail with the piece in your hand and your bill. A ring that shows up as a chain, or a different jeweller’s name, is a red flag.
Each HUID belongs to one item only. Over 60 crore gold items have been hallmarked with a HUID since 2021, according to a government update in March 2026, so a valid code should return a clear result.
Where hallmarking is mandatory in 2026
Mandatory hallmarking applies district by district. The sixth phase, effective 2 March 2026, added seven districts including Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh) and Beed (Maharashtra), taking the total to 380 districts, as reported by All India Radio News. Since 1 April 2023, jewellers in these districts cannot sell hallmarked gold jewellery without a six-digit HUID.
If you live outside a covered district, buy hallmarked pieces anyway. It is the simplest proof of purity you will have when you sell, exchange or pledge the jewellery later.
What to check on the bill
A proper invoice protects you as much as the hallmark does. Ask for a computerised bill that lists:
- Gross weight and net gold weight (stones and enamel removed)
- Purity grade and the HUID of each piece
- Gold rate per gram applied on that day
- Making charges, stone charges and GST shown separately
- Hallmarking charges, if any
What to do if the gold fails the purity test
Any consumer can get hallmarked or unhallmarked jewellery tested at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC). Centres take consumer samples on priority and issue an assay report. The service is paid; a 2022 government release put the charge at Rs 200 for up to four articles and Rs 45 per article for five or more, so confirm current rates at the centre.
If hallmarked jewellery tests below the purity stamped on it, the BIS consumer protection rules entitle the buyer to compensation of twice the value of the shortfall in purity, calculated on the weight sold, plus the testing charges. Complaints can be filed through the BIS CARE app or the BIS website.
What about silver?
Silver hallmarking with HUID started on a voluntary basis from 1 September 2025 under IS 2112:2025. Silver grades are 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999, and the mark carries the word “SILVER” with the BIS logo. Only silver hallmarked after that date can be verified on BIS CARE. If you are buying silver coins or utensils this Diwali, our guide on how to clean silver at home covers how to keep them shining.
A quick checklist at the jewellery counter
- Find all three marks on each piece before the price is finalised.
- Verify the HUID on BIS CARE in the shop.
- Confirm the purity on the hallmark matches the rate you are charged.
- Take a bill that lists HUID, net weight and charges separately.
- Keep the bill safe for resale, exchange or a gold loan.
Gold is often bought once in a few years and kept for decades, which is why the small check matters. For more festive reading, see our list of the most expensive rings in the world and the sweets Indians love during Diwali.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if my gold is real using HUID?
Open the BIS CARE app, tap Verify HUID and enter the six-character code engraved on the piece. The app shows the article type, purity, jeweller and hallmarking centre registered against that code.
Is old gold jewellery without HUID fake?
No. Pieces hallmarked before June 2021 carry an older four-part mark without HUID and are still valid. You can have them tested at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre for a fee.
What does 22K916 mean on gold?
It means 22 carat gold with a fineness of 916, or 91.6% pure gold. It is the most common purity for Indian gold jewellery.
What compensation do I get if hallmarked gold is less pure?
Under BIS rules, the buyer gets twice the value of the purity shortfall, calculated on the weight of the article sold, plus the testing charges.
