BIS Hallmark Gold & 6-Digit HUID Explained — How to Verify Purity

Why Hallmarking Matters

For decades, Indian gold jewellery quality was a coin toss. Many jewellers stamped pieces with "22K" or "916" without any independent verification. Customers paid 22K prices but often received 18K or 19K gold. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Hallmark system was introduced to fix this — and from 1 April 2023, hallmarking became mandatory across 343 districts in India.

If you are buying any gold jewellery in 2026, BIS Hallmark and the 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) are non-negotiable. Without them, you have no legal recourse if your jewellery turns out to be lower purity than promised.

What Is BIS Hallmark?

BIS Hallmark is an official quality certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards on precious metal articles. For gold, the hallmark certifies:

1. Purity — Stamped as 916 (22K), 750 (18K), or 999 (24K).
2. Hallmarking centre — Where the testing was done.
3. Year of marking — From 2017 onwards, this changed format.
4. Jeweller identification code — Unique BIS-registered jeweller code.

The hallmark is laser-etched into a discrete spot on each piece (back of pendant, inside of ring, clasp of necklace).

What Is HUID — The 6-Digit Code?

From 1 July 2021, BIS introduced HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) — a unique 6-character alphanumeric code engraved on every hallmarked piece. By 1 April 2023, HUID became mandatory across most of India.

The HUID identifies each individual piece of jewellery. Every ring, bangle, chain or pendant has its own HUID. The same code is registered in the BIS national database, linking the piece to the jeweller, hallmarking centre and date.

Example HUID: "ABC123" — six characters, alphanumeric.

You can verify any HUID at the official BIS Care app (Android/iOS) or on the BIS website (bis.gov.in). Type in the 6-digit code and the system returns:

• Date of hallmarking
• Hallmarking centre
• Jeweller name and address
• Article type (chain, ring, etc.)
• Net weight of the piece
• Purity (916, 750, 999)

If the HUID doesn't match the physical piece (e.g., HUID says "ring 5g 916" but you have a "necklace 12g 750"), you have proof of fraud.

How to Read the Hallmark Marks

On a hallmarked piece you should see four marks:

1. BIS standard mark — A small triangular logo.
2. Purity number — 916 (22K), 750 (18K), 999 (24K), or 875 (21K, rare).
3. Jeweller's mark — Logo or initials of the BIS-registered jeweller.
4. 6-digit HUID — Alphanumeric code.

If any of these four marks are missing, the piece is not properly hallmarked, regardless of what the jeweller claims.

Purity Conversion Table

In India, only 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, and 24K can legally be hallmarked. 9K is sold but not eligible for BIS Hallmark.

How to Verify Your Gold Online

Steps to verify a piece using HUID:

1. Locate the 6-character HUID on your jewellery (usually inside ring band, back of pendant, clasp of chain).
2. Open the BIS Care app or visit bis.gov.in.
3. Tap "Verify HUID" and enter the 6 characters.
4. Compare the returned details (weight, purity, jeweller name) with your physical piece and invoice.

If anything doesn't match — wrong weight, wrong purity, wrong jeweller — file a complaint immediately.

Hallmarking Charges

The customer is not charged for the hallmarking process directly. Jewellers pay BIS hallmarking centres around Rs 35-45 per piece (lower for bulk). Most jewellers absorb this into making charges. Some smaller jewellers may show "hallmarking charge" separately on the bill, typically Rs 35-100 per piece.

If a jeweller charges Rs 200-500 per piece as "hallmarking charge", that's overcharging. Negotiate.

What If My Gold Isn't Hallmarked?

In the 343 mandatory hallmarking districts (covering most of urban India), it is illegal to sell unhallmarked gold jewellery from 1 April 2023. If a jeweller offers you unhallmarked jewellery:

1. Walk away. Don't accept it even at a discount.
2. File a complaint at the BIS Care app or local BIS office.
3. Verify the jeweller's BIS registration at bis.gov.in.

Old (pre-2021) unhallmarked jewellery you already own is fine to keep and resell. But any new purchase in 2024+ should always have a 6-digit HUID.

Common Hallmark Frauds and How to Spot Them

1. Fake/duplicate HUID Some jewellers reuse the same HUID across multiple identical pieces. To check: verify the HUID online and confirm the weight and date match the specific piece you're buying.

2. Wrong purity stamp A piece may be stamped 916 but actually be 18K (750). Tests:

• Use a magnet (gold is non-magnetic; if attracted, fake).
• Acid test (jeweller test, mildly destructive).
• XRF gun test (electronic, non-destructive, available at many BIS-recognised assaying centres for Rs 200-500).

3. Hollow/filled gold The outside is real gold, the inside is filled with another metal. Verify weight matches HUID database (a filled piece will weigh less than a solid piece of the same size).

4. Recovery on resale When selling, some jewellers undervalue your gold's purity. Get a BIS-recognised purity test before selling to large quantities.

BIS Care App — Your Verification Tool

The BIS Care app is the official BIS smartphone app for consumers. Features:

• HUID verification by typing the code or scanning it.
• Hallmarking centre locator near you.
• BIS-registered jeweller directory.
• Complaint filing (with photo upload).
• Track complaint status.

Download from Google Play or App Store. Free, official, no ads.

What to Do If You're Cheated

If you suspect your gold is not the purity claimed:

1. Don't melt or alter the piece. Preserve the HUID and stamping intact.
2. Get an independent BIS assaying test at the nearest BIS-recognised hallmarking centre. Cost is Rs 200-1,000.
3. File a complaint with BIS, the jeweller and the local consumer forum.
4. Demand refund or replacement for the price difference.
5. For high-value disputes, file a case at the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.

Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, you can claim refund, replacement, compensation and even punitive damages for selling lower-purity gold.

Key Takeaways

• BIS Hallmark + 6-digit HUID = mandatory on all new gold jewellery sold in 343 districts of India from 1 April 2023.
• Four marks to look for: BIS logo, purity (916/750/999), jeweller mark, 6-digit HUID.
• Verify any HUID at the BIS Care app or bis.gov.in within seconds.
• 22K = 916, 18K = 750, 24K = 999.
• Hallmarking should not cost the customer separately; if charged, max should be Rs 35-100 per piece.
• File complaints at BIS Care app if a jeweller sells unhallmarked or wrongly-stamped gold.

See also: 22 carat vs 24 carat gold difference and Gold making charges explained.

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