Every year, thousands of Indian gold buyers discover — often after the purchase — that the jewellery they paid for does not contain the gold purity the jeweller claimed. A piece stamped 22K that tests at 18K. A "certified" hallmark that has no record in any government database. Gold that looks identical to genuine hallmarked pieces but is worth measurably less.
The BIS hallmark system exists specifically to prevent this. Since June 2021, the Government of India has made BIS hallmarking mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India. Every genuine piece must carry three specific marks. And every genuine piece can be verified in under 30 seconds using a free government app. This guide tells you exactly what to look for — and what to do if something does not add up.
The short version: Genuine BIS hallmarked gold carries three marks — the BIS triangle logo, a purity number (916, 750, or 999), and a 6-character HUID code. Download the BIS CARE app (free on Android and iOS) and verify the HUID before you buy. If the code is not in the database, do not purchase the piece.
What is BIS hallmarking and why was it made mandatory?
BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards — the government body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs that sets quality standards for goods sold in India. For gold jewellery, BIS certification means the piece has been independently tested at a licensed Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC), confirmed to meet the declared purity, and registered in the central BIS database.
Before June 2021, hallmarking was voluntary. Which meant that jewellers could — and many did — stamp pieces with purity marks that were not independently verified. Consumers had no easy way to distinguish between a genuinely tested piece and one that merely looked certified. The mandatory hallmarking scheme, rolled out in phases starting with 256 districts and now covering all of India, changed this fundamentally. Today, a licensed jeweller selling unhallmarked gold or gold with a fake hallmark is committing an offence under the BIS Act 2016 and the Consumer Protection Act.
Important: Mandatory BIS hallmarking applies to 14K, 18K, and 22K gold jewellery. Gold coins, bars, and medals sold by banks are subject to separate regulations. Antique jewellery (over 50 years old), gold of purity other than 14K, 18K, and 22K, and jewellery for export are currently exempt.
The three marks on a genuine BIS hallmark
A genuine BIS hallmark has exactly three components. You will find them stamped together on the inner surface of a ring, the clasp of a necklace, the back of a pendant, or any flat, accessible surface of the piece. Look closely — the marks are small, typically 1–2mm in size, and are stamped rather than printed.
△
BIS Triangle Logo
The Bureau of Indian Standards mark. Confirms the piece was tested at a BIS-licensed centre — not by the jeweller themselves.
916
Purity Number
Three digits indicating gold content. 916 = 22K (91.6% pure). 750 = 18K (75% pure). 999 = 24K (99.9% pure).
A1B2C3
HUID Code
A unique 6-character alphanumeric code registered in the BIS central database. This is the one that cannot be faked.
1
BIS Triangle Logo
This triangular mark with "BIS" inside it confirms the piece passed through a licensed Assaying and Hallmarking Centre — an independent third-party laboratory, not the jeweller's own workshop. The presence of this logo means an accredited chemist physically tested the piece, not just that someone stamped a number on it.
2
Purity Number (916 / 750 / 999)
The three-digit number tells you the exact gold content per 1000 parts. 916 means 916 parts per thousand are pure gold — which is 91.6%, the same as 22 Karat. If a jeweller says it is 22K gold but the number stamped reads 750 or 585, that is a serious discrepancy. Always confirm that the number matches what you are being charged for.
3
HUID — 6-Character Alphanumeric Code (e.g. A1B2C3)
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. Each piece gets its own unique code when it is hallmarked, and that code is registered in the central BIS server. This is the mark that cannot be counterfeited — because even if someone copies the visual appearance of the stamp, the code will not exist in the database. Enter any HUID in the BIS CARE app and you will instantly know if it is genuine.
How to verify a BIS hallmark using the BIS CARE app
The BIS CARE app is a free government application available on both Android (Google Play Store) and iOS (Apple App Store). It was developed specifically to let consumers verify gold hallmarks on the spot — before they hand over any money. Every Indian gold buyer should have this on their phone.
1
Download BIS CARE
Search "BIS CARE" on Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards and is completely free. No account or registration required to use the hallmark verification feature.
2
Find the HUID on the piece
Ask the jeweller to show you the hallmark on the piece. It will be a small stamped mark — often on the inner band of a ring, the reverse of a pendant, or near the clasp of a necklace. You are looking for a 6-character code made up of letters and numbers.
3
Enter the HUID in the app
Open BIS CARE, tap "Verify HUID", and type in the 6-character code. The app queries the central BIS database in real time. A genuine piece will show the registered purity, the hallmarking centre that tested it, and the date of hallmarking.
4
Check the result matches what you are being sold
If the app shows 916 and you are being sold 22K gold — that matches. If it shows 750 but the jeweller says it is 22K — that does not match. If the HUID does not appear in the database at all, put the piece down and do not buy it.
Tip: Some jewellers may tell you the HUID verification takes time or the database is down. This does happen occasionally with the BIS servers. If that is the case, ask to come back after verifying, or ask the jeweller for documentation of the hallmarking certificate. A legitimate jeweller will have no objection to either request.
What the purity numbers mean — 916, 750, 999 explained
The purity number on the BIS hallmark is not arbitrary — it represents the actual proportion of gold in the alloy, expressed in parts per thousand. Once you understand this, the numbers become self-explanatory.
| BIS Hallmark | Karat | Gold Purity | Common Use in India | Today's rate/gram |
|---|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% | Gold coins, bars, investment | ₹14,761 |
| 916 ← most common | 22K | 91.6% | Jewellery (standard grade) | ₹13,521 |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% | Middle East jewellery | — |
| 750 | 18K | 75.0% | Diamond-set jewellery | ₹11,071 |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% | Western-style jewellery | — |
In India, the vast majority of everyday jewellery — wedding sets, bangles, chains, earrings — is made in 916 (22K). Diamond jewellery is typically 750 (18K), because the slightly harder alloy grips stones more securely. Pure 999 (24K) gold is mostly sold as coins and bars for investment purposes, as it is too soft for wearable jewellery. If you are buying gold and want to understand the price difference between karats, use our Gold Calculator to compare values at today's live rates.
Red flags — what fake or substandard hallmarks look like
Knowing what genuine looks like is only half the story. These are the warning signs that something is wrong with the hallmark on a piece you are considering:
⚠️ Warning signs to watch for:
- No visible stamp at all — some jewellers sell unmarked pieces and claim hallmarking is "pending"
- A purity stamp without a BIS triangle logo — this is just the jeweller's own mark, not third-party certified
- A purity stamp with no HUID — pre-2021 pieces may not have HUIDs, but anything sold new should
- HUID that returns no result in the BIS CARE app
- HUID that returns a different purity than what is stamped on the piece
- Jeweller refusing to let you photograph or note down the HUID before purchase
- Purity number that is unusually high — "958" or "980" for normal jewellery pieces are not standard Indian hallmarks
If you encounter any of these situations with a jeweller, the appropriate response is to politely decline the purchase and take your business elsewhere. You are not obligated to explain yourself. Legitimate jewellers selling genuinely hallmarked gold will never have a problem with you verifying the HUID.
Where to find the hallmark stamp on different types of jewellery
The hallmark is always stamped directly onto the metal of the piece — not on a tag or label that could be easily swapped. The exact location varies by jewellery type:
| Jewellery type | Where to find the hallmark |
|---|
| Rings | Inner surface of the band |
| Bangles & Kadas | Inner surface, near clasp or on a flat section |
| Necklaces & Chains | On the clasp, or on a small tag soldered to the chain |
| Pendants | Reverse side of the pendant |
| Earrings | On the post or the back finding; on larger pieces, the reverse |
| Gold coins | Face or reverse of the coin |
If the hallmark is not visible without a magnifying glass, ask the jeweller for one — most reputable shops keep a loupe at the counter. On small or intricate pieces, the stamp may be very tiny, but it should still show all three components: the BIS triangle, the purity number, and the HUID.
What to do if you have already bought gold with a fake hallmark
If you have purchased gold and the HUID verification fails — or if a lab test shows the purity is lower than the hallmark claims — you have legal recourse. Gold jewellery fraud is a cognisable offence in India, and the BIS Act 2016 prescribes significant penalties for selling non-compliant or fraudulently marked goods.
1
Keep all documentation
Preserve the purchase receipt, any warranty card, the original packaging, and screenshots of your BIS CARE verification attempts. Do not return the piece to the jeweller without making copies of everything first.
2
File a complaint with BIS
Visit bis.gov.in and use the consumer grievance portal, or call the BIS helpline. BIS takes hallmarking fraud seriously and investigates complaints against licensed jewellers.
3
File a consumer complaint
File a complaint with your District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or use the National Consumer Helpline at 1800-11-4000 (toll free). Consumer courts in India have awarded significant compensation in gold fraud cases.
4
Lodge a police complaint if necessary
If the value is significant, file an FIR for cheating under the Indian Penal Code. Gold fraud cases have been successfully prosecuted in India, particularly where hallmark counterfeiting was involved.
BIS hallmark and gold rates — what hallmarking does not tell you
The BIS hallmark confirms purity. It does not regulate price. Two pieces with identical 916 hallmarks can be priced very differently based on design, craftsmanship, the jeweller's margin, and making charges. The hallmark is your guarantee that the gold content is what the jeweller claims — but comparison shopping for price remains your responsibility as a buyer.
For reference: today's 22K (916) gold rate in India is ₹13,521 per gram, sourced from IBJA. This is the base metal rate before any making charges, GST, or jeweller margin is added. Most jewellers add 10–25% in making charges on top of this rate. Use our Gold Calculator to see what any weight of gold is worth at today's IBJA rate, and our Making Charges Calculator to estimate your total cost.
Common questions about BIS hallmark
What is BIS hallmark on gold?▾
BIS hallmark is a quality certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards confirming that a gold piece has been independently tested at a licensed Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. It is the government's guarantee that the gold purity claimed by the jeweller has been verified by a third party. Since June 2021, BIS hallmarking is mandatory for 14K, 18K, and 22K gold jewellery sold by licensed jewellers in India.
What is HUID in gold hallmark?▾
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification — a 6-character alphanumeric code (like A1B2C3) assigned to each hallmarked piece when it is tested. This code is registered in the BIS central database. When you enter a HUID in the BIS CARE app, the app checks this database and tells you the registered purity, the hallmarking centre, and the test date. Because the code must exist in a government database, it cannot be counterfeited — even if someone copies the visual appearance of the stamp.
Is BIS hallmarking mandatory in India?▾
Yes. BIS hallmarking became mandatory for gold jewellery in India in a phased rollout beginning June 16, 2021. The scheme now covers all districts of India. All licensed jewellers are required to sell only BIS hallmarked 14K, 18K, and 22K gold jewellery. Jewellers found selling non-hallmarked or fraudulently marked gold face penalties under the BIS Act 2016, including fines and licence cancellation.
How do I check BIS hallmark on my gold jewellery?▾
Locate the stamp on the piece — on the inner band of rings, back of pendants, or near the clasp of chains. You should see three marks together: the BIS triangle logo, a purity number (916, 750, or 999), and a 6-character HUID. Download the BIS CARE app (free on Android and iOS), tap "Verify HUID", enter the 6-character code, and the app will confirm whether it is genuine and what purity it is registered at.
What do I do if my gold fails HUID verification?▾
If you have not yet purchased: put the piece down and do not buy it. If you have already purchased it: keep all documentation (receipt, packaging, photos of the hallmark), file a complaint with BIS at bis.gov.in, and contact the National Consumer Helpline at 1800-11-4000. For significant amounts, consider filing a consumer court complaint or FIR. Indian courts have upheld consumer rights in gold fraud cases, and compensation has been awarded including full refunds plus damages.
One practical note: carry a small magnifying glass or use your phone's camera to zoom in when examining hallmarks in a jewellery shop. The stamps are small and the lighting in many shops makes them hard to read. Any jeweller running a legitimate business will understand and expect customers to verify — it is a sign of an informed buyer, not an insult.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Gold rates shown are indicative and sourced from IBJA for 12 June 2026. BIS hallmarking regulations are subject to change — always verify current rules at
bis.gov.in. This does not constitute financial or legal advice.