Guide
How to check a BIS hallmark on gold
Five checks, two minutes, and no special equipment — done at the counter before you pay.
The short answer
A BIS hallmark on gold has four parts: the BIS logo, the purity mark such as 916 for 22K, the assaying centre's mark, and a six-digit HUID. You can verify the HUID free on the BIS Care app by entering the number and the piece's weight. If the number does not match, the piece is not hallmarked.
The five checks
- Find the BIS logo. A small triangular mark stamped on the piece. No logo means it is not BIS hallmarked, whatever the shop says.
- Read the purity mark. 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 999 for 24K. This number is the gold content, and it should match what you were told.
- Note the assaying centre mark. A code identifying which BIS-recognised centre tested the piece. It is small — a jeweller's loupe helps.
- Write down the six-digit HUID. Every hallmarked piece has a unique HUID. Copy it from the piece, not from the bill.
- Verify it on the BIS Care app. Free on Android and iOS, or at the BIS portal. Enter the HUID and the weight; the app confirms the purity and the weight recorded for that number.
What the numbers mean
| Mark | Karat | Gold content | Common in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% | Coins, bars |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% | Bridal and daily jewellery |
| 750 | 18K | 75.0% | Lighter and stone-set pieces |
What the HUID is, and why it matters
The HUID — Hallmark Unique Identification — is a six-digit alphanumeric code, unique to one piece of jewellery, introduced in 2021. Before it, a hallmark told you the purity but not whether it belonged to that piece. Now the code is tied to a specific weight and purity record held by BIS.
That is what makes it useful: if the HUID on the piece resolves to a different weight or purity in the app, something is wrong, and you should not pay until it is explained.
Three mistakes people make
Trusting the bill instead of the piece. The hallmark is stamped on the metal. Check the metal.
Skipping the weight. The app verifies a HUID against a recorded weight. If the piece has been altered, the weight will not match — which is exactly the point.
Ignoring the making charge because the hallmark is real. A genuine hallmark says nothing about whether the making charge is fair. Those are two separate checks.
Hallmark and old gold
Older jewellery may predate the HUID system and carry only a purity mark, or none at all. That is normal, and it is why buyback involves testing rather than reading a stamp. When selling, ask to see the test and the weight.
Also at the shop
Come and see it under the light.
Aadva, Saraf Bazar, Amalner — open every day, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Hallmark questions
What is a HUID on gold jewellery?
The Hallmark Unique Identification is a six-digit alphanumeric code unique to one hallmarked piece, introduced in 2021. It can be verified free on the BIS Care app against the recorded purity and weight.
What does 916 mean on gold?
916 means the piece is 91.6% gold, which is 22 karat — the standard purity for Indian bridal and everyday gold jewellery.
How do I verify a hallmark without an app?
You can check a HUID on the BIS online portal as well as the BIS Care app. Either way you need the six-digit code and the weight of the piece.
Can a hallmark be faked?
A stamp can be copied, which is why the HUID matters — it resolves to a BIS record for one specific piece at one specific weight. A copied stamp will not match a genuine record.